Pauline Kael, one of the biggest Cary Grant fans there is, was disappointed in this one. Has anyone else seen it? I actually enjoy a lot of it, especially Cary Grant in the three-legged race - but still: it's SO inappropriate!! Having the court system agree that this lady-killer in his 40s should agree to be the "boyfriend" of a teenager ... in the hopes that her crush will eventually burn out ... I mean ... what??? To give Grant credit, he plays it quite well, but still ... the premise is so bizarre. This movie was Shirley Temple's attempt to shuck off the child-star label, and be a young starlet. It doesn't quite work ... her appeal was enormous as a wee thing, and it just kind of dissipates as a teenager. HOWEVER: I watch the movie all the time, and find much enjoyment in it ... because of the Grant-ster. Pauline Kael - blown away by Notorious (the film he did right before this one) - is bummed out about the whole thing. She has a very interesting thing to say about Grant being mis-cast (one of the rare occasions that this occurred).
The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer 1947
Right after doing himself proud in Notorious, Cary Grant made th emistake of appearing in this meant-to-be-bubbling farce by Sidney Sheldon. He's cast as a roue painter, and there's no core of plausibility in the role; Grant doesn't have the eyes of a masher, or the temperament. When he's accused of chasing skirts it seems like some kind of mistake. Shirley Temple is the bobby-soxer who develops a c rush on him, and Myrna Loy (prissy and dull here) is her older sister, a judge. The painter is coerced into dating the bobby-soxer until she gets over her infatuation; wearing his shirt open and acting like an adolescent, he escorts her to various teen functions and competes with high-school athletes in an obstacle race at a school picnic. It's degradingly unfunny, and Grant doesn't even get a chance to show his romantic style when he finally pairs off with the older sister.
Kael loved Grant so much that it made her angry to see him appear in bad movies. To her mind, if he was in a bad movie, it was clearly someone else's fault, and there should be hell to pay. He's just that damn good.
Posted by sheila"Mellow-greetings, ukey-dookey!"
"You remind me of a man..."
I LOVED this movie. Pauline missed the boat on this one. Granted--bizarre and slightly creepy premise. But still a fun movie. And don't forget about the lovely Myrna Loy as the mom.
(Off-topic: Speaking of Myrna Loy, the entire "Thin Man" series is being released as a DVD box-set in August. THAT makes me very happy. I'd take the combo of Powell and Loy over Tracy/Hepburn ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.)
Posted by: Dave at May 4, 2005 10:11 AMMyrna Loy - another nearly-forgotten great. I love her in this.
The movie, however implausible, is saved by the restaurant scene, followed by the door slamming scene. Laugh my ass off every time, even if I ignore the rest of the movie.
Oh and watching them play basketball? My oh my, white guys never looked so, err, awkward.
Posted by: Scotter at May 4, 2005 7:01 PMOkay, I'm gonna have to go along woith the ole gal here. I'm not fond of this movie at all. Grant is wasted completely, Loy is doing her stock schtick (and I'm a HUGE Myrna Fan), and Shirley....well, God lover her, but Shirley is a limited actress at best. The movie itself just never gets off the ground for me. I don't believe a word of it, even though it's premise is sweet and uncomplicated. I don't buy the end, and Cary looks really stiff and blase through most of it.
Just not a great film, I don't think.
Posted by: Alex at May 4, 2005 9:35 PM"You may be an ok guy, but I don't know!"
C'mon, it's funny. If seems clearly implied by the film that he's not actually a skirt chaser so much as a guy who goes through life as a magnet for trouble, regardless of his own inclinations. Besides, I love Rudy Vallee as Myrna Loy's would-be love interest.
Posted by: Kerry at May 4, 2005 10:06 PMHoodoo? You do! There's a little jig Grant does as he leaves the room in that scene that I just love. I'm going to have to rent it now so I can practice it.
As far as the quality of the movie itself, hey, they can't all be classics. I thought it was amusing.
Posted by: dorkafork at May 4, 2005 11:12 PMI LOVE Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer...its a family favorite. I was so psyched when it came out on DVD. Its such a fun Grant movie and I love the romance that blossoms between Grant and Loy. I also like seeing Shirley Temple in a more grown up role. The knight in shining armor effects are terrific for their time. I can't imagine why any Grant fan wouldn't like this.
Posted by: Carl V. at May 5, 2005 6:55 PM