DACREEPER

Ann Sheridan, Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson usually mean light-hearted fun with some good-natured barbs for laughs. While there are some barbs, this one hits different since both of the male leads are so unlikable. Carson is grumpy baby and Morgan is what they used to call a "bounder" even hitting on, dating and openly chasing his best friend's wife (Sheridan). And he is also not shy about hiding the fact he mainly got the job at Lockheed so he would be exempt from the draft.

Other reviews have mentioned the opening interaction between Morgan and Sheridan. Major jabroni! Why Sheridan would give this jackass the time of day is beyond me.

Normally I like these three, but not this time. Sheridan could do so much better.

The best story line in the movie is the wonderful George Tobias as the immigrant father of aspiring pilot. We see him in a touching scene being sworn in as US citizen. He is the heart of the film.

Being a war movie at the beginning of America's involvement there are some moments of poignancy. Hearing the radio announcing the bombing of Pearl Harbor is one example. There are others.

Overall, not too bad as a time passer if you can get past Morgan's pushy jerk.

Prepare to be assaulted (along with several characters in the film) by William Haines' performance. He portrays a boorish, unfunny childish "college student". Arrogant and smug and utterly without appeal. He struts around like a cock of the walk. He is mean and downright bullying and worse to Leila Hyams. How he survives without either being punch in his stupid face or put in handcuffs is beyond me. I understand that "humor" such as this was soon outdated but this is over the top. Unfunny.

Gets a bit better after being force to face life but its a struggle getting to that point.

A good cast wasted (Dressler, Hyams, Polly Moran, etc).

Moran has a funny line concerning birth control. And Dressler as usual is on point.

What a hidden gem!

Taut story woven beginning to end in only 77 minutes and delivers with the correct mix of pathos and humor.

Neighbors on a 'suburban' (before the word was coined) street embrangle themselves in each others lives to the detriment of all. Some nosy, some judgmental, some overbearing; all misunderstood by the others. Such a commentary on human nature to see what they want to see. And the ultimate harm that can come from such assumptions.

Straight up and solid performances from all. First-credited Clive Brook is OK if slightly wooden. Solid comic relief (as always) from Mary Boland and Charley Grapewin. Ruggles, usually the one with all the zingers, is more of a straight man here as the henpecked husband who gets paid off in the end. Helen Ware and Helen Jerome Eddy are perfect as the over the top moms. Special shout out to Adrianne Allen as the troubled young bride and Arthur Hohl as the nasty prosecutor.

If you like ensemble pictures with character actors showing their skills, this one's for you.