Ma femme et mon patron

Dagwood resigns from the Dithers Construction company when Dithers wants him to postpone his long awaited vacation to close a business deal. Blondie goes to Mr. Dithers to get Dagwood his job back, but he gives her Dagwood's job thinking it would be a good joke to play on Dagwood, who is now taking Blondie's role of housekeeper. Fustrated, Dagwood goes fishing with his neighbor Marvin Williams, who really goes out to escape his nagging wife and meet girls. One of these girls, Francine Rogers, falls for Dagwood, but he darts back for home. The next day Blondie finds a camera belonging to Francine (which has an uncompromising, but innocent photo of Dagwood and Francine) and decides to have the pictures developed, but first has to close a deal with Philpot (a nightclub owner) where Blondie's sister Dot is in a jitterbug contest with Freddie Turner, and Francine works as a singer, who Dagwood has come to explain the loss of her camera. The fireworks fly (literaly). One of the best entries in the series with slapstick galore (Dagwood's jitterbugging, Daisy "dancing", etc.) and overall brilliance from every angle. The script is able to seamlessly combine all the different stories for the various characters and have them come together at the end. Simms has plenty of smart one liners which are said expertly by the four year old. Rating, 10.

BLONDIE MEETS THE BOSS (Columbia, 1939), directed by Frank R. Strayer, the second installment to the long running domestic comedy series based on Chic Young's ever popular comic strip, is a misleading title, giving the indication that this is the first time the title character, Blondie, has never come across Dagwood's boss, Mr. Dithers, which in fact, they've already known each other as indicated in its debut film, BLONDIE (1938). Alternate titles such as "Blondie Meets With the Boss" or "Office Wife Blondie," might have served its purpose, however, it's not the title that matters really, but the comedic situations the Bumsteads get themselves into, in this case what happens when husband and wife switch jobs (Dagwood the house husband and Blondie the office wife) for a few days.

The story opens typically at the breakfast table as the Bumsteads, Dagwood (Arthur Lake), Blondie (Penny Singleton) and Baby Dumpling (Larry Simms) prepare themselves and looking forward to their upcoming vacation away from home, followed by Dagwood rushing out the front door to catch his bus to the office and bumping into the neighborhood postman (Irving Bacon). While at the office, everything seems to be going well on his last day before vacation time until Dagwood is told by Mr. Dithers (Jonathan Hale) that he is needed at the office and vacation plans are to be postponed until he settles an important construction deal while in Washington. Because he hasn't had a vacation in two years, Dagwood refuses and resigns. After returning home with the news, Blondie, the helpful wife as she is, leaves Dagwood in apron, broom and the household chores while she goes to the office to speak to Dithers. Dithers agrees to take Bumstead back under the condition that, wanting to teach Dagwood a lesson, has Blondie take her husband's place during his absence. After Dithers informs Dagwood of his plan, the humiliated Dagwood decides to teach Blondie a lesson by leaving the household chores and babysitting under the care of Blondie's visiting sister, "Dot" (Dorothy Moore) and her boyfriend Freddie (Joel Dean), who have arrived in town to stay at the house and practice for the upcoming jitterbug dance contest, and go fishing with his neighbor, Marvin Williams (Don Beddoe). Guilt sets in for Dagwood when Marvin invites Francine Rogers (Linda Winters) and Betty Lou Walters (Inez Courtney), singers of the Garden Club, to accompany them. More complications follow leading to Blondie's accusing Dagwood of infidelity after finding a photograph of him on a boat with Francine, while Dagwood, trying to retrieve Baby Dumpling at the Garden Club from Dot and Freddie, meets up with Francine and spotted there by Blondie, who happens to be there to settle a business deal for Dithers. The highlight of the evening occurs with Dagwood, in a confusing state of mind after getting hit on the head with a purse by Blondie, to accidentally step onto the dance floor of the jitterbug contest, filling in for Freddie, who walked out on Dot, whose unusual style of dancing makes it possible for Dot to win the dance contest. More fun and confusion continue before Mr. Dithers returns with surprising news.

Familiar faces appearing in smaller roles include Eddie Acuff as the peddler; William B. Davidson as the night club patron; Wallis Clark as Henry W. Philpont; George Chandler as the laundry man; Edward Gargan as the Night Club Bouncer; Grady Sutton as the film processor; and Stanley Brown as Dagwood's co-worker, Ollie Shaw, who takes an interest in Blondie more ways than one. "You Had It Coming to You" by Sam Lerner and Ben Oakland is introduced during the night club sequence by Skinney Ennis and his Band performing.

Slow going and predictable at times, mostly during its first half, BLONDIE MEETS THE BOSS is a satisfactory entry with several funny bits to go around, especially by Daisy, the Bumstead pooch, raising her ears at times of astonishment. Aside from the "running gag" involving the poor postman's attempt to deliver the morning mail only to meet up with Bumstead as he rushes out of the house, there's a neat twist of delight for him as Blondie does the exact same thing, only leaving lipstick print on his cheek. He says to Dagwood, "You know, Mr. Bumstead. I like it better this way." Then there's little Alvin Fuddle (Danny Mummert), Baby Dumpling's best friend who lives next door, showing off his intelligence by spelling Mississippi forwards and backwards. He's around during the early portion of the story and is not seen or heard from again, until the next installments, anyway.

Distributed on commercial television in the 1970s with new opening and closing credits from King Features, the original theatrical opening credits has been restored and presented that way when aired on American Movie Classics from 1996 to 2001. Its availability on video and DVD doesn't include the original opening, neither does Turner Classic Movies showing (TCM premiere: May 1, 2018). Next installment: "Blondie Takes a Vacation." Finally. (**1/2)

Dagwood! Dagwood! Watch out!! That feather in Blondie's 1930's hat is going to stab you!

Great entry in the popular series. The laughs seldom let up, nor does the action. Expert comedic timing from director Strayer along with versatile cast. Seems Dagwood 'quits'-- oops, I mean 'resigns'-- his job when he doesn't get his awaited vacation. So who does Dithers hire in his place. Why Blondie, of course, which angers breadwinner daddy. Now they're going separate ways, while things aren't helped by romantic mix-ups, especially when Dad goes fishing and Mom gets her own office. But, oh my gosh, will they ever get back together. And what will Baby Dumpling and Daisy do now. Stay tuned.

I wish I knew how off-camera coaches got dog Daisy and 4-year old Dumpling (Simms) to perform as well as they do. Check out how expertly each brings off their various tricks. I hope Daisy got extra kibbles. Then too, check out the nostalgic jitterbug contest defying gravity's laws. I hope the youngsters got extra bottles of Pepsi. Anyway, an addled Dagwood and a nonplussed Blondie keep the chuckles coming, showing why Lake and Singleton remain a truly inspired pairing. In my view, there's more comedy delight here than in most star-studded efforts of the 1950's, especially. Meanwhile, postmen, Look Out! The one man stampede is coming your way.

I know there was another Blondie movie called "Blondie Takes A Vacation". It was pretty weird watching them about to do just that, but then it turned into something completely different. This movie features Dagwood accidentally resigning so while trying to get his job back, Blondie ends up getting his job instead! There's actually a pretty big subplot about how Dagwood accidentally holds a woman in a boat. It turns out this is mostly pointless because he kisses her later anyway. It was interesting to be introduced to all of these movies through Leonard Maltin's movie guide.

Of course, now it's in a separate guide. They actually got a lot done on the first sequel. They even make jokes about Dagwood running over the mailman. That's just the second movie out of twenty-seven! The funniest part was easily when Blondie got mad and then it showed stock footage of random stuff blowing up! I thought their neighbor was named Herb, but here he's called Marvin. Well, they've probably changed a lot in the seventy years since this movie! ***

As you may know by now after seeing the first film of the series "Blondie", the films are wholesome and have a pure sense of humor. This second film "Blondie Meets The Boss" is just as funny as the first. If the Blondie films seem to be serious at times, please take it in light-hearted fun. Everything works out. Dagwood wears the apron this time. You might recognize the boy who plays "Alvin Fuddle". He is Danny Mummert. He played Baby Dumpling's pal beginning with the very first film, Blondie (1938), at the age of 4 until the last film, Beware of Blondie (1950), at the age of 16. Danny Mummert did 24 Blondie films in all. Mr. Mummert has not been in a film since 1956, but no doubt is enjoying his life in retirement. As always, the film ends with a happy ending and a smile on your face. Isn't Daisy a hoot? The next film in the series is BLONDIE TAKES A VACATION.