My Favorite Spy

Whoever said that band leader Kay Kyser was a comedian? This Harold Lloyd produced opus proves that there is nothing funny about him. He looks a little like Harold Lloyd, but that's about it. This RKO comedy is well planned and has a funny premise. Lloyd provided for many belly laugh opportunities. The problem is that Kyser cannot deliver a punch line and is totally inept at physical comedy. William Demarest has a funny bit as a policeman doing battle with Kyser, but most of the humor is crushed by Kyser. Tay Garnett was not the best choice for director; he lets a number of slapstick possibilities escape. He makes the same mistakes in his later "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court". The film would have worked if Lloyd has taken the lead himself, with a director like George Stevens handling the camera. What a pity!

The kay kyser one, not the bob hope one. Although the hope version is also pretty awesome. Kyser only made thirteen films, and this was right in the middle, during WW II. Co-stars ellen drew, jane wyman. Just as kay gets married to terry (drew), he gets inducted to the military. Undercover, even to his wife. Hijinx ensue, with the usual band member comedy bits, like his sidekick ish kabibble. You'll spot chester clute, who pops up in so many black and white films. And the talented william demarest, in his prime, years before mad, mad world or my three sons! It's a wartime story, with some comedy thrown in, since the u.s. Had just been yanked into the war. Directed by tay garnett, who had been in the service, and had started with sennett and roach. Produced by harold lloyd. It's fun. Silly. And entertaining.

This film essentially begins with a band director by the name of "Kay Kyser" (played by himself) rushing to a church for his own wedding. Along the way he is informed that he has just been called up into the Army and that he is supposed to report for duty that very evening. Needless to say, his bride "Teresa Kyser" (Ellen Drew) is not too happy with this news but, since there is nothing anyone can do, promises to wait for his return as patiently as she can. Little does she know, however, that his return will be much sooner than expected because, not long after reporting for duty, he is informed that there was a mistake and that another person by that same name was supposed to appear instead of him. Naturally, he is somewhat relieved at first, but it's then that his superior officers tell him that they want to use him as a decoy to trap some German spies who are operating not too far the dance hall where he performs. Obviously, being the loyal patriot that he is, he agrees without any reservations. What he doesn't realize, however, is that his clandestine activities are soon to interfere with his duties as a new husband. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was a rather ordinary comedy which suffered, to an extent, from the relatively mild humor in a number of scenes. But having said that, I must admit a certain interest in this particular time in American history and, for that reason, the film kept my attention from start-to-finish. Likewise, although I am not too familiar with many Kay Kyser movies, it's quite possible that there are those who enjoy his films and might find this one to be somewhat entertaining as well. In any case, while I don't consider this to be a good comedy necessarily, I suppose it was worth the time spent, and I have rated it accordingly. Average.

I haven't always been the biggest fan of Kay Kyser's films. However I must admit I've never seen one that I thought was genuinely bad. My biggest complaints are usually directed at the corny humor that feels more suited for radio where he made his name. That's not much of an issue here. This film might be overshadowed by the more well-known "My Favorite Spy" starring Bob Hope and Hedy Lamarr but I actually think this one is funnier. Kyser does fine here but the real scene stealers are Jane Wyman, Ellen Drew, and a great supporting cast of reliable hands like William Demarest and Una O'Connor. If you've tried a Kay Kyser movie before and weren't impressed, give this one a look. It's pretty good.

Lovers of 40s big band music must suffer through boatloads of unfunny "comedy" to get to the few crumbs of boogie woogie while those who do not like 40s big band music (like me) must simply suffer.