Casanova le petit

What a waste of time. There is absolutely nothing funny in this so-called comedy. The plot, or lack of it, is is pretty stupid and corny. Gary Cooper was much better in Ball of fire and Meet john doe and Teresa Wright didn't do many comedies. Don't waste your time.

Everyone knows I don't like Gary Cooper, but Casanova Brown is one of the few movies in which I can stomach his performance. Much like Three Godfathers softens John Wayne's gruff persona, this romantic comedy softens Gary's wooden delivery. He's still Gary Cooper, and by that I mean he seems like he's both scared stiff and about to start laughing, and he still seems to be unclear as to the syntax of the English language. However, since he spends the majority of the movie awkwardly taking care of a baby, it works.

Gary's about to get a divorce from Teresa Wright so that he can marry Anita Louise, but then he finds out Teresa's just had his baby and plans to give it up for adoption. Gary's masculine pride won't allow that, so he kidnaps the kid and tries to take care of it secretly in his apartment. Yes, it's a very silly, unrealistic story, but I don't hold a high bar for Gary Cooper movies. The fact that I like this one doesn't necessarily speak highly of it, but rather how much I normally dislike him. If you enjoy this one and want to watch something similar, check out Robert Young in And Baby Makes Three.

As a professor on the verge of matrimony for a second time, Cooper (the unlikely Casanova here) learns he's become a new father, by his ex-wife Isabel (Teresa Wright). He wants to find out the truth for himself so visits the hospital directly. One thing leads to another and he decides to kidnap the baby, with mostly awkward and hilarious results.

I like Frank Morgan in this movie as he tries to be the practical observer and adviser. He shines with his usual wit and bumbling charm.

Cooper, being the 'outside parent' makes an interesting remark at one point about fatherhood, that men can be fine leaders and do great things but can't be considered capable enough to raise a child, all of which goes to show the roles society dictated then and even now.

This is amusing entertainment without going overboard on comedy.

This "screwy comedy" seems very forced. Indeed, the actors TRY very hard to make a go of an essentially unfunny script. And, as a result it doesn't really go anywhere. The idea of a woman finding out she was pregnant after getting a quickie divorce just isn't all that funny. And then, when Cooper sneaks off with the baby because he doesn't want it put up for adoption just seems terribly unfunny and it's really pushing hard to turn this into a comedy. It's really a shame, too, as the actors were more capable than the script and I found myself just bored by the whole mess. Considering that Cooper made so many GOOD comedies, I recommend you see them instead.

A man named Casanova becomes involved with a number of women and a cute baby. This attempt at screwball comedy has a few amusing moments but much of the humor is forced. Despite the efforts of veteran screenwriter Johnson and director Woods, the film takes a while to get going and soon runs out of steam. Cooper tries hard but can't overcome the weak script. Morgan comes off best, playing Cooper's would-be father-in-law. Wright is perky as Cooper's wife, but seems too young for him; there was an age difference of over 17 years between them. Interestingly, the baby girl is played by a fellow named Billy Chapin, who went on to have a brief acting career before retiring at age 16.