kenn_honeyman

I had seen this CLASSIC a long time ago...... however I was in a 'watering hole' down here in NPR, Fl., and a chap who had heard of my interest in film asked me whether i had heard of "Gigot"?..... It is one of my FAVORITE subjects -Jackie Gleason-.... Sometimes i wish he hadn't been a comedian..... FUNNY, huh?..... i hope you know his circumstances growing up..... and his "Poor Soul" role on his show...... they NEVER were funny to me... if you write me, I can go into the why, and wherefore.

Mr. Chaplin would be PROUD of this!!!!!! it hit ALL the right marks..... did U see who was the co-writer of this... John Patrick..... look him up among a slew of CLASSIC scripts... "TeaHouse of the August Moon" is ONLY one!!!! Read of his demise.....

i ALWAYS witness a present genre film with skepticism..... i was RAISED on Capra/Hawks/Curtiz/etc/etc films!!!! and MOST times i click before 5 minutes transpire!.... HOWEVER.... this MINOR film KEPT me handcuffed with remote in hand, READY to click!.... but i gotta agree with most here..... i COULDN'T do it.... it has the 'ingredients' of a classic.... Matthew was the least, BUT ALL supporting players were PERFECT in my mind.... if ONLY Howard Hawks could have gotten hold of this.... it could DEFINITELY have been another, "Bringing Up Baby"!!!! the ending needed a LITTLE more interplay----- forget the boom knocking him off, but KEEP the Dolphin!...... she should have jumped in after him... ETC, etc!!! The ingredients were there for the ASKING, IMHO!!!

I have one caveat going into this comment: I am not a big fan of this series.... HOWEVER, this particular piece hits home to my personal life's experience.

First, I'd like to edify the previous comment;about the Chinese Doctor. You haveta remember that this was made in 1944, and the Japanese in the USA on the West Coast were INTERRED at camps around the US---EVEN the Japanese that were born in America had to give up EVERYTHING, and leave.

Remember, The doctor was born in "That bastion of culture, and learning"....to which, the Judge replies, 'Peking?'.... The Doctor says, "No, .... "Brooklyn"!!!! This upheaval the Japanese-Americans/ Naturalized-Americans/ETC. was HIGHLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL!... BUT, in 1944, there was still a high number of 'flag waving patriots' that still thought this was right...ie:to 'STEM the flow of the 'Japs'! These SAME Americans, today are uttering this kind of comment;sorry for my editorial comment!

There is much sage advice given by the Judge in this flic!!!;even though he is stricken with tonsillitis-and can't talk;there is an hilarious scene where his wife is GLAD he can't speak. I'd especially want to draw you to the later scenes with Ms. Granville, and Mr. Marshall that are DEFINITELY NOT comedic! In fact, some of the teachers down here in Florida need to heed the advice of the learned Judge!

In fact, the scene where he pontificates...hey, pretty big word for moi!... about Student/Teacher 'relations' is a GREAT scene... It takes place at the bus stop when Andy is quitting school, and taking the easy way out of his troubles... He, unwittingly, had come up with a HUGE 'TALL-Tale' to the father of the Walker Twins---who are GORGEOUS!!knock-outs!.

Please watch this movie, and the sequel,"Love Laughs at Andy Hardy" ...again with Ms. Granville-even though made 2 years later, it takes place in the same 'Frosh' year of Andy Hardy. Finaaly, i'd suggest you check out the bio of Ms. Granville she IS the gal in this movie... I believe she is still alive.