Make Your Own Bed

Entitled rich businessman Walter Whirtle (Alan Hale) and his wife Vivian (Irene Manning) can't keep any workers at his estate. He gets arrested arguing a parking ticket. He meets private investigator Jerry Curtis (Jack Carson) in jail. Curtis had tried to arrest the district attorney and is marrying his secretary Susan Courtney (Jane Wyman). Whirtle has a crazy case for him and his 'wife'.

This is marginally funny. It tries to be wacky. The story is non-sensical. I don't know much about Jack Carson. He has an easiness about him and a nice report with Wyman. I like their chemistry together. The story is somewhat stupid and fulfills a wartime need. The slapstick is clunky at times. I do like the duo and their incompetent work. The rest is a muddle.

Good comedians like Jack Carson, Jane Wyman and Alan Hale make this little film funny for those who don't demand high art. Would-be detective Carson, and girlfriend, Wyman take on jobs as domestics to a wealthy businessman (Hale). The fact that it's World War II, and servants are supposedly hard to get, is the meat of the story line. Wyman can't begin to cook a decent meal,

and Carson is worthless as a man servant. Despite this, the desperate Hale won't fire them -- lousy help is better than no help. Eventually, bumbling detective Carson, finds out that Nazi spies are house guests, and despite almost getting Hale and Wyman killed, captures them. This film is funny, and that's enough for me.

Due to the ongoing World War II, wealthy executive Alan Hale (as Walter Whirtle) is having a difficult time finding servants. With no chauffeur, he drives to town recklessly, and is thrown in jail. There, Mr. Hale meets private detective Jack Carson (as Gerald "Jerry" Curtis), who bungled his latest case by arresting the district attorney. Hale tells Mr. Carson he can look for Nazis on his estate, while posing as a butler. Carson agrees to assume the position, and brings along long-time fiancée Jane Wyman (as Susan Courtney) to serve as cook. Carson has trouble recognizing the Nazis, and Ms. Wyman can't cook a shaved duck.

"Make Your Own Bed" refers to the fact that Carson and Wyman have a long-time, but platonic relationship; and, things get uncomfortably funny for the pair while posing as husband and wife. They handle the matter with immature comedy. The cast and crew might have considered adapting this material a chore. Still, everyone puts in an effort. And, Hale excels.

***** Make Your Own Bed (5/26/44) Peter Godfrey ~ Jack Carson, Jane Wyman, Alan Hale, Irene Manning

Funny guys Jack Carson and Alan Hale SENIOR ! every black and white film in the 1940s, 1950s had at least one of them, sometimes both of them. This one has the silliest, convoluted plot... it's 1944, so deep in WW II, so everyone is on the lookout for spies. For job security, Whirtle (Hale) hires on Jerry and Susan (Carson and Jane Wyman) as household help. but.. they aren't really married, and we're still way in the film code, so they shouldn't be sleeping in the same room, much less the same bed. this takes up a lot of the story... the bedroom caper, as they try to figure out the sleeping logistics. are there really spies running around? maybe. maybe not. it's a fun, silly script, but they needed some fun during dark wartime. some fun sight gags. and George Tobias, character actor for YEARS, before he ended up as Abner, the next door neighbor on Bewitched. this one is very well done. not many people could turn a spy thriller into a bedroom farce and keep it fun. why such low rating on imdb?? directed by brit Peter Godfrey. worked with some great stars, made some great films.

Exhibit A that the screwball comedy was still alive in 1944. Maybe not exactly well, but energetically kicking. Jack Carter's dynamism and Jane Wyman's comic versatility keep one involved in this fast-paced romp, even though the plot is nearly incoherent.

The framing device is a wealthy December-May couple, delightfully played by Alan Hale & Irene Manning, desperate to obtain household help for their country estate. Throw in Jack Carter as an incompetent & feckless would-be detective, stringing along his quizzical fiancée Jane Wyman.

Carter & Wyman's bumbling as butler and cook are hilarious, underscored by Manning as their ditzy boss.

A comical, but not exactly comical development involving Nazi spies--or are they?--gets hopelessly garbled. A strange plot device in 1944. Yet the charm of the principal actors makes for an entertaining time.