Under a complicated bequest from her uncle, Myrtle stands to inherit $2,000,000 if her ex-husband doesn't have any male heirs on the way, else he gets the cash. She journeys from New York to... Read allUnder a complicated bequest from her uncle, Myrtle stands to inherit $2,000,000 if her ex-husband doesn't have any male heirs on the way, else he gets the cash. She journeys from New York to England, and finally tracks him down with his heavily pregnant new wife. Should she try a... Read allUnder a complicated bequest from her uncle, Myrtle stands to inherit $2,000,000 if her ex-husband doesn't have any male heirs on the way, else he gets the cash. She journeys from New York to England, and finally tracks him down with his heavily pregnant new wife. Should she try and woo him back or challenge the legality of the new marriage?
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Featured reviews
So, once you've accepted that premise, how is it? It's a well-acted bit of legalistic nonsense as midwife Mona Washburne, taxi drivers, and lawyer Alfred Hyde-White troop on and off the screen, and much is made of time zones, the International Date Line, and details of marriage and divorce laws in Tonga and Bolivia, which be true for all I know. The audience is expected to accept these things as a matter of fact, just like the characters. It's certainly decently acted, and there are good comics lurking in small roles, like Aurey Mathers, Joan Sims, Charles Hawtrey, and Alfie Bass.
Having recently finished a couple of continental comedies from before the War, I find it suffers from a feeling of brittleness that seems to infect midde-brow British comedies in the decade. People start out looking like human beings, and then a situation comes up, and suddenly they're being pushed around by the the plot, if you catch my drift. They seem quite content to have the situation run over them without much in the way of fighting. I find that a bit inhuman. As a result, I find this movie intermittently amusing, rather than actually funny, no matter the issues of Daylight Savings Time looking over the entire operation.
When the story begins, Myrtle (Shelley Winters) learns that her rich uncle has died. He's left her a lot of money but with a strange codicil....that if her husband (in this case, her ex-husband) has a boy, he'll get the money. Well, this husband is remarried...and his wife (Peggy Cummins) is VERY pregnant...and Myrtle is worried she'll have a boy.
The plot is very contrived and at times Peggy and Shelley overact terribly. Still, despite these things, the story is cute and enjoyable. Worth seeing provided you don't think too much as you watch it.
Did you know
- TriviaMuriel Box, who directed this film, was sister in law to Betty E. Box, who was married to Peter Rogers who produced this film.
- Quotes
Mr. Starke: We *have* advertised for him!
Myrtle La Mar: Where?
Mr. Starke: In 'The Times'.
Myrtle La Mar: Supposing he doesn't read 'The Times'?
Mr. Starke: Doesn't read 'The Times?' Really, Miss La Mar!
- ConnectionsFeatured in Me & Arthur Haynes (2011)
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Cash on Delivery
- Filming locations
- National Studios, Elstree, Hertfordshire, England, UK(studio: made at National Studios Boreham Wood, England.)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 19 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1