L'intraprendente signor Dick

Want some insight into what titillated movie-goers in the post-war 1940's? This 1947 RKO production is a good place to start. There's the marquee value of a seductively handsome Cary Grant coupled with that spunky symbol of all-American innocence Shirley Temple, enough at the time to draw in ticket-buying throngs with its naughty innuendo of daring departure and forbidden pleasure. In fact, the underage subtext lingers beneath much of the movie's plot and humorous settings, but in a totally innocent manner, proving that this is not yet the more permissive 1960's. One slip, however, and this light-hearted soufflé could easily have become burnt-toast of the most tasteless variety. Fortunately, there are no slips.

Once the pace picks up, this comedy sparkles as brightly as any other Cary Grant madcap, which is to say, about as good as comedy gets. The nightclub scene is an absolute triumph of timing, staging, and scripting. The laughs build as the party table becomes more and more chaotic, interrupted by one petty annoyance after another, finally reducing the worldly Grant to speechless exasperation. This is the type of soaring comedic architecture that requires real artistry, but has been sadly replaced in contemporary film by a dumbed- down world of bathroom jokes, insult gags, and other cheap forms of humor that appeal mainly to juveniles.

The movie itself, directed by an unheralded Irving Reis, is literally brimful of bounce and charm, leaving no one in doubt that the big war is over and America is ready for the future even if its libido is showing. With: a slyly endearing Ray Collins, a bemusedly prim Myrna Loy, a pompously befuddled Rudy Vallee, and a well-deserved Oscar for writer Sidney Sheldon, along with a final scene that could not be more apt. Despite the shift in public mores, audiences now as then should find this a highly entertaining ninety minutes of expert movie- making.

Even some 72 years later this fine film has not lost any of its original lustre. No, in fact, it would garner a brand new audience of viewers if only it was aired more often and produced on a high quality Criterion Collection Blu Ray version.

There are many sub-plots including a few romantic interests but I especially enjoyed the scene in the restaurant when Cary Grant and Myrna Loy were planning on enjoying each others company while dancing and dining the night away. But wait, they are soon joined by more and more people at their table for two who all have their own agenda, and there are a few restaurant staff who can be heard periodically chiming in the background with yet another "Happy Birthday To You" for some of the other restaurant patrons. I belly laughed as the calamity grew and grew and I was unsure what the evening climax was going to hold?

This is an innocent, fun happy, hoot of a film that I will be sure to watch a few more times.

I give it an admirable 7 out of 10 rating.

I loved this movie but of course, I love anything Cary is in. I thought this movie was a great screwball comedy and just seeing Cary in that wild races(ex.egg race) He is just such a funny man. * I love the dimple in his chin* This is a delightful comedy about a boy-crazy teen played by Shirley who sets her sights on Cary. Who wouldn't? She hides in his apt. and suprises him. Meanwhile, Myrna finds Shirley missing and goes up to Cary's apartment, finds them together, and he is arrested. Well, he punched the DA, so that might account towards it. Then he is sentenced to be her date till she gets tired of him. If I told you anymore it would ruin the movie. Just watch it if you can. It is a treat. I love the dinner scene when everyone leaves Cary alone!

An all star cast leads the best original screenplay of 1947. Cary Grant is my favourite actor, and Myrna Loy, best remembered for her trademark housewife equal in "The Thin Man" are two of Hollywood's brightest comics together in a pretty funny film. Throw in teenaged seventeen year old Shirley Temple falling for a shining knight in armour/playboy/artist Cary and her Judge sister, and a fun packed comedy results. Somehow, Cary playing another play boy who the women keep falling for cannot convince me of the stretch.

There are great scenes, notably at the races. This only further proves that Cary may very well be the funniest straight actor to appear on the screen. The supporting cast itself is a great one, and the leads are fantastic.

This film has been well directed, but not enough to meddle in the great performances. Screenplay manages to simply enough combine humour and creativity. A light hearted romp and good entertainment.

It's a little lesser known as many of these actors other films always overshadow it, but it is still a good example of 1940s film making, with top talent at its best.

Rating: 8.25/10

With three appealing stars and a silly but interesting story, this is an enjoyable light comedy that moves at a good pace and makes you feel at home with its offbeat characters. Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, and Shirley Temple all get plenty to work with, as each of their characters is pretty well-suited to their talents. They make their characters believably flawed and engaging at the same time.

The story makes it clear early on that it should not be taken too seriously, yet it is told well enough that it is easy to set aside any plausibility issues. The early misadventures set up the amusing arrangement that the judge (Loy) agrees to, in the hopes of keeping the others out of trouble, and this in turn sets up a new series of outlandish events. Harry Davenport and Ray Collins head up a pretty good supporting cast, and the situation builds pretty well, leading up to a complicated, entertaining set of tangle-ups.

While there is nothing remarkable about it, "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer" is the kind of pleasant silliness that takes the right touch to make it work. It makes for an enjoyable way to spend an hour and a half.