Unexpected Uncle (1941)

A feisty retiree plays peacemaker for a young couple.

Director:

Peter Godfrey

Writers:

Eric Hatch (novel), Delmer Daves (screenplay),

Stars:

Anne Shirley, James Craig, Charles Coburn

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Anne Shirley	...	Kathleen Brown
James Craig	...	Johnny Kerrigan
Charles Coburn	...	Seton Mansley aka Alfred Crane
Ernest Truex	...	Wilkins, Johnny's Valet
Renee Godfrey	...	Carol West (as Renee Haal)
Russell Gleason	...	Tommy Turner
Astrid Allwyn	...	Sara Cochran
Jed Prouty	...	Sanderson, Kerrigan Shoes
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ken Christy	...	Editor (scenes deleted)
Virginia Engels	...	Mrs. Carter (scenes deleted)
Thurston Hall	...	Jerry Carter (scenes deleted)
Virginia Vale	...	Telephone Girl (scenes deleted)
Jane Woodworth	...	Telephone Girl (scenes deleted)

Storyline

Seton Mansley aka Alfred Crane narrates--and steals the show--as a Florida retiree who intercedes to patch up problems between Kathleen Brown and Johnny Kerrigan.

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Plot Keywords:

retiree | trailer | engagement | horseshoe | mansion | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 November 1941 (USA)

Also Known As:

O Tio Inesperado

Filming Locations:

Palm Beach, Florida, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

67 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Several actors are listed in studio records as being in the film, but are not seen: Thurston Hall (Jerry Carter), Virginia Engels (Mrs. Carter), Virginia Vale (Telephone Girl), Jane Woodworth (Telephone Girl), Ken Christy (Editor) and Richard Carle.

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Quotes

Seton Mansley aka Alfred Crane: Suddenly, it had come to me that I was the only one out of 28,000 guys who wasn't allowed to come home every night at six o'clock and smoke his slippers, and read his dinner, and eat his pipe.

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Soundtracks

"Wishing (Will Make It So)"
(1939)
Music and lyrics by Buddy G. DeSylva
Played as dance music by the orchestra at the Colony Club
Danced to by Anne Shirley and James Craig and other couples
Reprised by a piano at the Colony Club
Sung by Joey Ray at the Colony Club
Played as background music often

User Reviews

The plot is, frankly, a mess...

This was a rather underdeveloped and unappealing romantic comedy. The only reason I watched it was because it co-stars Charles Coburn--one of my very favorite supporting actors. Coburn is just fine as the avuncular 'Uncle' Seaton, but the story itself just doesn't make any sense and falls very, very flat.

Anne Shirley plays a woman who barely knows a rich jerk played by James Craig. Craig is an odd guy--he either plays hard or he's a workaholic--there is nothing in between. How and why Shirley's character falls for him (considering he really doesn't even know him) makes no sense at all. Nor, for that matter, does it when he sweeps her off her feet and takes her home to be his wife. Nor, for that matter, does it make sense when he then ignores her completely. Nor, for that matter, does it make sense that she'd leave and then take the jerk back.

In addition to having almost no chemistry between them and no reason for them to be together, the film also lost me concerning Craig's character in particular. He likes to drive drunk and seems like a complete and total jerk. There really is nothing redeeming about him and why Shirley would stay with him more than .04 of a second is beyond me.

All in all, a terrible waste of Charles Coburn's immense talents and personality. The story makes no sense nor did it engage me in the least.