Here Comes Cookie

Although billed as a Burns and Allen vehicle, it's actually George Barbier who has the main role and carries the weight of the comedy in this enjoyable, well-produced "B" movie. Not that I'm complaining. Barbier is not only more than equal to the task, he carries off more laughs than the dithery Miss Allen—who is delightfully partnered here not only by Barbier but by Andrew Tombes who makes the most of one of his largest and most ingratiating roles ever. George Burns has only a small role and seems to have been included in the cast simply to serve as an occasional butt for why-don't-you-marry-Gracie jokes.

Other players who register more strongly than Mr Burns include Betty Furness (as the daughter who comes to her senses), Rafael Storm (as the money hound), James Burke (as the fake swami), Syd Saylor (a credulous taxi-driver), and Harry Holman (a disillusioned crony).

As for the twelve (count them) vaudeville headline acts announced in the credit titles, we see only two (three if you count the fact that drummer Jack Powell is handed two bites), although five or six others flit by in the background.

Here Gracie Allen excels. Her mind is delightfully mixed up and what she comes out with is completely wacky. She is an absolute scream and poor old George Burns is on the receiving end as per usual trying to make whatever sense he can out of it all.

Gracie is one of George Barbier's daughters. The other is Phyllis (Betty Furness) and she is engaged to a Hispanic - Ramon (Rafael Storm) - who is only interested really in getting his hands on Daddy's loot. (He is a millionaire). George (Burns) is Barbier's secretary. Barbier is at his usual blustery best and as a way of defeating Ramon's purpose - gives over his fortune to Gracie for 60 days so he can go to some remote place for a rest. Meanwhile Gracie has become interested in things theatrical and has turned the mansion into a flop house for out of work thespians. And, from there she is going to put on a show!

This is one of those madcap comedies where any sense of realism has to be chucked out of the window. All one has to sit back and enjoy, having many a laugh along the way.

Also in the cast is Andrew Tombes as "Botts" the butler, Jack Powell - a drummer who bangs his drumsticks on anything, not necessarily drums and a whole host of other variety acts.

This was not the only time that Gracie Allen played screwball sidekick to another than hubby George Burns! As in this Paramount she marvelously is the comedy relief to George Barbier, In COLLEGE SWING (Bob Hope's first Paramount) Gracie ABSOLUTELY has Burns forgotten as she plays her Scatter brained character against that of Edward Everett Horton!!! THE TEAMING IS SO GREAT & PERFECT in such a teaming that Burns is delegated to that of Horton's straight man assistant & You Almost Forget About Him! Gracie & Horton are such a tremendously perfect pairing that one even forgets Hope, tho Martha Raye's loud antics can't help but keep you knowing she's in the cast!

Burns and Allen who usually were in support of other stars got to carry this one by themselves. It is a laugh riot from start to finish. Trying to keep his normal daughter, Betty Furness from marrying a gigolo, George Barbier turns over his fortune to his other dimwitted daughter, Gracie Allen. What follows is one madcap situation after another as Gracie turns their home into a hotel for unemployed actors and then decided to produce her own show.

As good as Gracie is, mention must be made of George Barbier. A fine character actor who played fathers, his blustering reactions to Gracie's schemes are worth seeing the movie in and of themselves.

The plot is thin but the casting is stuffed with major faces from the heydey of Vaudeville. For most of these performers, uncredited as they were, this is the only recording of parts of their act. Enjoy the silliness and pretend you're at Minsky's.