Copyright 28 February 1946 by Columbia Pictures Corp. No New York opening. U.S. release: 28 February 1946. Australian release: 12 December 1946. 8 reels. 6,771 feet. 75 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: When his leading lady walks out on opening night, an actor-producer's new show flops, and he is stuck with the bills. In order to pay off his creditors, he agrees to marry a French girl so she can stay in the land of the free. Before the marriage can be annulled, however, True Romance (with that famous capital "T" and capital "R") enters the picture.
VIEWER'S GUIDE: Suitable for all.
COMMENT: A fairly amusing musical comedy. The plotting is familiar and the direction tends to be a bit heavy-handed, but the songs are reasonably catchy and the players try very hard to be agreeable. It's a pity that Robert Stanton is the weakest card in the deck. He does all right but he's just not strong enough for the male lead. Osa Massen, however, is absolutely delightful. She plays with a charming vibrancy that transforms her not particularly scintillating dialogue into pure gold. Hillary Brooke makes an excellent foil, and we enjoyed Sheldon Leonard's reluctant angel. Frank Sully has an unusually large role, but fortunately just as he is about to out-stay his welcome, he departs.
Shemp Howard is not too well treated by clumsy direction, but he has his moments. Chester Clute is his usual harried self, while the desk clerk's role is filled by Hans Conried - here alas somewhat muted (he'd obviously not yet perfected his wonderfully snooty accent). Good to see Bowery Boy Billy Benedict, though he is always confined to the background, and Jean Negulesco's favorite bit-player, the chic Dusty Anderson.
By Columbia's very humble "B" standards The Gentleman Misbehaves (he doesn't of course) is lavishly produced. Good cast with plenty of extras milling around, nice sets, attractive costumes, pleasing photography. All the singing is presumably dubbed, yet it's done with undetectable skill.
SYNOPSIS: When his leading lady walks out on opening night, an actor-producer's new show flops, and he is stuck with the bills. In order to pay off his creditors, he agrees to marry a French girl so she can stay in the land of the free. Before the marriage can be annulled, however, True Romance (with that famous capital "T" and capital "R") enters the picture.
VIEWER'S GUIDE: Suitable for all.
COMMENT: A fairly amusing musical comedy. The plotting is familiar and the direction tends to be a bit heavy-handed, but the songs are reasonably catchy and the players try very hard to be agreeable. It's a pity that Robert Stanton is the weakest card in the deck. He does all right but he's just not strong enough for the male lead. Osa Massen, however, is absolutely delightful. She plays with a charming vibrancy that transforms her not particularly scintillating dialogue into pure gold. Hillary Brooke makes an excellent foil, and we enjoyed Sheldon Leonard's reluctant angel. Frank Sully has an unusually large role, but fortunately just as he is about to out-stay his welcome, he departs.
Shemp Howard is not too well treated by clumsy direction, but he has his moments. Chester Clute is his usual harried self, while the desk clerk's role is filled by Hans Conried - here alas somewhat muted (he'd obviously not yet perfected his wonderfully snooty accent). Good to see Bowery Boy Billy Benedict, though he is always confined to the background, and Jean Negulesco's favorite bit-player, the chic Dusty Anderson.
By Columbia's very humble "B" standards The Gentleman Misbehaves (he doesn't of course) is lavishly produced. Good cast with plenty of extras milling around, nice sets, attractive costumes, pleasing photography. All the singing is presumably dubbed, yet it's done with undetectable skill.
