Perhaps my favorite character actor has long been Frank Morgan. When he is in A pictures as a supporting actor (such as "The Wizard Of Oz" and several films with Clark Gable) he shines. But some of the B films MGM assigned to him, where he is the star, well...the scripts were not so good. This is one of the exceptions. A movie that is both genuinely funny and sentimental.
Morgan plays a role he was accustomed to -- a bit of a ne'er-do-well, but one that most people genuinely like. The creditors are always after him, his prim spinster sister looks down on him, and he exasperates his son, who is attempting to become a figure in the church. Then, Morgan meets a second-rate stage actress (Cicely Courtneidge), and quite by accident they become a hit. She falls in love with him, but the problem Morgan is causing his son ends up splitting up the show business team and the couple. In the end, they all live happily ever after (although for a few moments I though Morgan or Courtneidge was going to die, and the film be turned into a tragedy).
Morgan is his usual lovable, blustery self. Courtneidge, known more to British audiences, is wonderful! Able to play both the funny and the touching momemnts. The rest of the characters are efficient in their roles, though they are not memorable.
Watch this film to savor the great Frank Morgan, and receive the bonus of discovering Cicely Courtneidge.
Morgan plays a role he was accustomed to -- a bit of a ne'er-do-well, but one that most people genuinely like. The creditors are always after him, his prim spinster sister looks down on him, and he exasperates his son, who is attempting to become a figure in the church. Then, Morgan meets a second-rate stage actress (Cicely Courtneidge), and quite by accident they become a hit. She falls in love with him, but the problem Morgan is causing his son ends up splitting up the show business team and the couple. In the end, they all live happily ever after (although for a few moments I though Morgan or Courtneidge was going to die, and the film be turned into a tragedy).
Morgan is his usual lovable, blustery self. Courtneidge, known more to British audiences, is wonderful! Able to play both the funny and the touching momemnts. The rest of the characters are efficient in their roles, though they are not memorable.
Watch this film to savor the great Frank Morgan, and receive the bonus of discovering Cicely Courtneidge.