mikehess1

I grew up watching this movie! My father owns a 16mm film print. I can recite all of the lines in perfect time! I think for new timers to this movie, it requires two screenings. The first one gives you all of the story ideas and then the second one allows you to concentrate on how hilarious some of the lines and reactions really are. Ms. Holm did not have to learn to sing for this job - she was already an accomplished singer on stage. However, Linda Darnel and Paul Douglas had to have their singing voices dubbed, as neither of them had vocal abilities. My favorite lines are:

Len: Doris, would you just stop and listen? Doris: Stop starting everything you say with "listen". Len: Well alright then - but listen.

Cecil: We saw quite a bit of each other. But we could hardly help that since we were singing together. Mrs. Blair: You were doing what? Len: Singing! You understand English, don't you? Mrs. Blair: Well, perhaps he'll sing something for us now. Len: Sure. I'll sing for ya. I'll sing you bold legged, mother!

And lastly, the line that will make me laugh so hard I nearly wet my pants happens when Lenard Borland is pushing his mother-in-law out of his apartment...

Len: It's time that you should be going now. You're getting to old to be banging around time at this time of night!

(Just typing that line made me laugh out loud!!!)

I highly recommend everyone to see this movie. It's ashame that it isn't regularly shown on one of the classic movie channels or available (to the best of my knowledge) on DVD or Video tape. I wish 20th Century Fox would open up their vault to more hidden classics like this one.

If anyone is seriously interested in seeing this movie and can't find it, you can contact me. I have made a video transfer from my father's original 16mm film print. While the sound and picture are clean, you have to adjust to the fact that the flicker shows (moving from 16mm film to 30 frames per second causes flicker unless you have it transferred by pros! I just wanted it for my own personal collection, but would be willing to share!!!)

No matter how bad this film may be bashed, it shows true realism. I personally have be in a rehab center to help with my alcoholism. Sandra's portrayal of someone not wanting to change (at first), wanting to change but not knowing how, and finally wanting to change and willing to do what it takes is DEAD ON! Some of the comments regarding how silly some of the different scenes or characters are come from people (my opinion) who don't realize how accurate this movie really is. I love S.B. when she's doing comedy (i.e. "Miss Congeniality), yet she won me over in this movie. I wonder if she's had to deal with this in personal life one way or another and that's why she played the role so well. Those who have badly criticized the flashback scenes don't realize that someone in her position really does do a "stuff" load of flashback thinking - (Why am I this way? When did I get this way?) I watch this movie at least twice a month - as I recommend to the people I sponsor, so that I (and they) always remember where I came from and the way I was and where I am striving to be! "My Name Is Bill W" and 28 days are on my list of must see films for anyone who is fighting drug or alcohol addiction.