My Favorite Spy

Whoever said that band leader Kay Kyser was a comedian? This Harold Lloyd produced opus proves that there is nothing funny about him. He looks a little like Harold Lloyd, but that's about it. This RKO comedy is well planned and has a funny premise. Lloyd provided for many belly laugh opportunities. The problem is that Kyser cannot deliver a punch line and is totally inept at physical comedy. William Demarest has a funny bit as a policeman doing battle with Kyser, but most of the humor is crushed by Kyser. Tay Garnett was not the best choice for director; he lets a number of slapstick possibilities escape. He makes the same mistakes in his later "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court". The film would have worked if Lloyd has taken the lead himself, with a director like George Stevens handling the camera. What a pity!

On his way to be married, bandleader Kay Kyser learns from a newspaper article that he has been recalled to Army service. After a hasty wedding he reports to camp only to find that a mistake has been made; what the Army really wants him to do is find out about an espionage ring that is operating out of the Orchid Room, the nightclub where Kyser's big band plays. The unlikely spy's mysterious contact is future Academy Award winner Jane Wyman, and together they help keep the homefront safe for Democracy while Kay tries to keep his neglected bride from bolting.

Lovers of 40s big band music must suffer through boatloads of unfunny "comedy" to get to the few crumbs of boogie woogie while those who do not like 40s big band music (like me) must simply suffer.

The kay kyser one, not the bob hope one. Although the hope version is also pretty awesome. Kyser only made thirteen films, and this was right in the middle, during WW II. Co-stars ellen drew, jane wyman. Just as kay gets married to terry (drew), he gets inducted to the military. Undercover, even to his wife. Hijinx ensue, with the usual band member comedy bits, like his sidekick ish kabibble. You'll spot chester clute, who pops up in so many black and white films. And the talented william demarest, in his prime, years before mad, mad world or my three sons! It's a wartime story, with some comedy thrown in, since the u.s. Had just been yanked into the war. Directed by tay garnett, who had been in the service, and had started with sennett and roach. Produced by harold lloyd. It's fun. Silly. And entertaining.

I haven't always been the biggest fan of Kay Kyser's films. However I must admit I've never seen one that I thought was genuinely bad. My biggest complaints are usually directed at the corny humor that feels more suited for radio where he made his name. That's not much of an issue here. This film might be overshadowed by the more well-known "My Favorite Spy" starring Bob Hope and Hedy Lamarr but I actually think this one is funnier. Kyser does fine here but the real scene stealers are Jane Wyman, Ellen Drew, and a great supporting cast of reliable hands like William Demarest and Una O'Connor. If you've tried a Kay Kyser movie before and weren't impressed, give this one a look. It's pretty good.