LaDonnaKeskes

Has Maureen O'Hara EVER played anything but the indignant offended LAY-DEE whom no, no, no, no-good drifter drunk is a-gonna take advantage of, how DARE you!

She made the Black Swan a miserable affair of bad lines and heaving bosoms.

She was a Karen in Miracle on 34th Street, she was a Karen in The Quiet Man, she was a Karen in McClintock, she's only and ever a KAREN. I'm sick to death of her tossed pompadour and constant state of High Dudgeon. Someone should do a mashup of Maureen O'Hara being In. Dig. Nant. I want to speak to the MANAGER! Since I have to put in 50 characters, she can't ac.

Maureen O"Hara ever only plays one character: the indignant lady. A Karen. She did it in this film, she did it in McClintock, she did it in Miracle on 34th Street. I don't watch her films because she's so one-note.

Likewise Power, who seems to be reading his lines off a card. His treatment of O'Hara's character is borderline abusive-boyfriend stuff, but O'Hara is so unlikeable anyway.

I wanted to like this, but the characters all mush together, the plot meanders dreadfully, there isn't a single funny line or stunt. Just a boring film. I was hopeful when I saw Hecht's name, but no evidence of the Hecht screenwriting chops.

Using every other actor as a foil to Hope's nervous wisecracking is the way to make a movie that trudges along without a single laugh. Paulette Goddard is wasted, Edward Arnold embarrasses himself, and there's nothing for Hope to do but twist and turn and desperately try to bring some levity to this typical tale of double-dealing and femme fatales. Watch it on YouTube if you just want some forties background video. The costumes are pretty nice, and one sympathizes with Willie Best, who's limited to pop-eyed looks and resigned sighs.