A Criadinha

MAID'S NIGHT OUT is an absurd little screwball comedy which demonstrates, in painful fashion, why JOAN FONTAINE was relegated to programmers during her early career at RKO. As in most of her other "comic" turns, she's not served well by a script that would be a hurdle for an accomplished comedienne like Constance Bennett, an actress Fontaine admired greatly.

How anyone would mistake Fontaine for a domestic is a pill hard to swallow--and the ensuing plot twists are equally hard to deal with, even in a screwball comedy. The scene with the milk bottles being tossed off the truck is just too much.

JOAN FONTAINE and ALLAN LANE do the best they can with a tiresome script that has her behaving like a spoiled brat for most of the running time, which is mercifully brief. HEDDA HOPPER is her foolish mother and there's a standout performance by BILLY GILBERT as a fish peddler (at a time when a pound of fish was 18 cents!).

Not an essential Joan Fontaine film, even though TCM features it whenever celebrating her birthday. She looks lovely and she and Allan Lane make a charming couple but it's a strained performance--especially on that milk truck with her floundering around in discomfort as the police chase begins.

I agree with the other reviews on the funny and screwball nature of the film. This genre must never be compared to the gutter-realism of today's movies. I can't help but watch old movies as a piece of living history, comparing the "then" to the "now" . I recognized the old Los Angeles neighborhood filled with 2-bedroom plaster houses that were either Tudor or Spanish - they are still there and the same homes are now worth over a million dollars; except that the streets are no longer so pristine clean. My husband, who immigrated in the late 1960s, said his first "culture shock" was how clean and orderly American cities were, and when I see this movie, I kind of begin to see what he is referring to. People today are not so attuned to one another, nor so meticulous in their grooming. It was somewhat painful to see Greek and Russian immigrants be the focus of Hollywood humor, which hasn't changed; Hollywood still aims to entertain by targeting certain types. Joan Fontaine is amazing. The smile never leaves her face, yet she subtly conveys a spectrum of emotions. She is a delight. The simple, clean optimism of this film is a pure delight. It also is a reminder of what we have lost.

RKO did not set out to make a masterpiece with "Maid's Night Out," but if one accepts that the ride here will be silly and harmless lower-budget movie entertainment one can find some laughs and plenty of satisfying and even fascinating amusement.

There are three components that make this film distinctively interesting: 1) Joan Fontaine seriously letting loose in a screwball-type of comedy; 2) Alan Lane showing a lighthearted, cheerful, and comic side, which contrasts with the pleasantly stoic and heroic character he exhibited in all those westerns he would become known for later in his career; and 3) a parade of beautiful automobiles and other vehicles traveling along rural roads and big city streets in 1930's southern California.

Some reviews are somewhat downcast about this minor film, but I think if a vintage movie buff has been inquisitive enough to have somehow followed a path here to this film's IMDb discussion one should stick around and see it.

Fish-loving college graduate Allan Lane (as Bill Norman) agrees to become a lowly milkman for 30 days, so his millionaire father will believe him worthy of a proposed six-month tropical expedition, aboard the family yacht. So, Mr. Lane begins enthusiastically delivering "Arlen Milk". On his route, he meets pretty débutante Joan Fontaine (as Sheila Harrison), whom he mistakes for her family's maid. Ms. Fontaine's family has fallen on hard times; and, they want her to marry wealthy stuffed-shirt William Brisbane (as Wally Martin). But, Fontaine would rather hook up with Lane the "milkman"; and, he has fallen in love with Fontaine the "maid".

Lane, the future voice of "Mr. Ed", and Fontaine make a charming pair of 1930s "screwball comedy" "milkmen". There are a few cute moments, and the film's supporting cast is strong. Cecil Kellaway (as Geoffrey) and Hilda Vaughn (as Mary) are, of course, excellent, as the actual pair's servants. Mr. Brisbane has a great part; and, he gets to sing. The story is mostly fair, with a few good moments. Fontaine's milk truck attack on the runaway couple's pursuers shouldn't be missed. The ending "double take" of kisses ends the film on a sweet note.

***** Maid's Night Out (1938) Ben Holmes ~ Allan Lane, Joan Fontaine, William Brisbane

Maid's Night Out is a delightful little romantic comedy....... No grand performances, or breakthrough's here, but it's a fun little movie...... Especially, for Joan Fontaine fans..... Joan's very pretty, and cute in this film...... I recommend this, for Joan fans, and those who are looking for a lighthearted film..... I'm glad, there's TCM channel, that shows these lost treasures......