Ca pousse sur les arbres

In the 1930s and 40s, Irene Dunne was one of the top actresses in Hollywood. However, by the time she made "It Grows on Trees" she was older and her prospects a bit dimmer. In fact, it would turn out to be her final movie and the rest of her career she'd appear in a few television productions. It's sad, though, that this final film appearance was in such a dopey production. Why is it dopey? Well, just listen to the plot...the Baxter family have a tree that begins growing money...money that appears to be 100% REAL!

When the picture begins, Phil and Polly Baxter (Dean Jagger and Irene Dunne) are arguing over money. It seems it's really tight in their household and Phil is trying to get Polly to live within their means. But she keeps wanting to spend it on various things for the kids...even though they cannot afford it. Suddenly, as if an answer to prayer, money starts appearing around their property and it takes a while for them to realize that they've got a money tree!

The plot to this film is pretty stupid...that's hard to deny. The actors seem to try their best to make it work, though with such a ridiculous plot even the greatest actors in history couldn't make much of this fluff. And, in this case, Dunne in particular is NOT very good...mostly because her character is pretty annoying.

This silly film is worth seeing for Irene Dunne devotees only -- and barely so. It's a triple stinker with a bad script, sub-par production values and the two stars -- Dunne and Jagger -- have ZERO chemistry. Did they really made children together? Doubtful. And what the heck did Dunne do to squirrel up her voice? It's shrill and jacked up higher than usual and her over-emphasis of the consonant "R" quickly wore out its welcome.

The only saving grace is the film's ending. The last minute of the film is the best minute of the whole thing. It was completely unexpected and perfectly executed. Still, it can't make up for the drudgery that came before.

This movie is not among her best; however, as most commentators agree, it is a delightful comedy. The device of money growing on trees is, indeed, a verbal cliché. But adapting that cliché to cinema seems highly creative to me. How many films have you seen with similar grounds for a modern cinematic fable? For that matter, how many other modern fables have the movies produced?

The device also leads to some unexpected consequences. It sets up several unforeseen complications and conflicts. It is used to contrast various characters' attitudes toward "easy money." And, it provides a vehicle for poking gentle fun at government. It has a little more satirical slant than other reviewers seem to suggest. I think that there is a little more here than meets the eye. Cliché may be the starting point of this movie, but after that the tale is surprising, original, clever and highly entertaining - with a light touch of satire and commentary on human nature.

Oh yeah, this movie also provides some very fun and likable characters. The ensemble cast delivers very good performances to sustain interest in this fable at a high level. Irene Dunne, as always, is a complete delight. Dean Jagger delivers a performance that I really enjoyed watching. How many leading roles did he play in light comedies?

I recommend this clever little comedy.

This is one of those movies I saw YEARS and YEARS ago...and have been trying to find it ever since. It was really cute - a great little family piece. I would love to be able to show it to my kids...who seem to think that money DOES grow on trees! (Boy, wouldn't it BE great if it did!)

Irene Dunne is irrepressible as a housewife who grows a money tree in her yard. Dunne truly is the show but gets plenty of able support. Dean Jagger is appropriately befuddle as her stuffy husband who finds himself fighting a moral dilemma all by himself. Richard Crenna is marvelous in a key supporting role. Not much substance, but an engaging way to kill an hour and a half.