Ginger Rogers could act, sing, dance, you name it. She did get her just desserts, unlike several other gifted performers of the period such as Cary Grant, with an Academy Award for "Kitty Foyle." "Tom Dick and Harry" was Ginger's next picture following her award winning performance. Perhaps that is why it is not so well known today, because it fell in the shadow of "Kitty Foyle." Too bad for this is definitely a winner in all departments. The delicious dream sequences are like no others, not even those by Salvador Dali for Hitchcock's "Spellbound." Not only are they surreal but they are also hilarious.
As the title indicates, Janie (Ginger) must decide among three suitors, Tom, Dick, and Harry, each having asked her to marry him. Tom is the ambitious one, Dick the rich one, and Harry the lovable deadbeat. There is even a very racy part where all three disrobe and are about to jump into bed with her. The audience can tell my the look on Janie's face that this idea certainly appeals to her. But, alas, she must put a stop to the fun before the blessed event actually takes place (This is 1941 remember). The viewer may be a bit surprised with her final choice among Tom, Dick, and Harry at the end of the movie. One reason this all works is not only because of the talent before the camera but also because of the talent behind the camera. The director Garson Kanin was one of the most successful and capable directors and later writers of screwball comedies to come out of Hollywood. He would later help write the script for the Tracy and Hepburn classic "Adam's Rib."
Phil Silvers has a funny cameo on lover's land (Inspiration Point)where he is trying to sell ice cream to all the young lovers parked there by the "No Parking" sign. You can imagine how much success he has.
Ginger plays the role of Janie a telephone operator. Her performance in "Tom Dick and Harry" inspired the creation of Ernestine the Operator by Lily Tomlin. So the fun continues. Also George Murphy who plays Tom tells Janie in a dream sequence that he has been promoted to the office of President. She replies, "You've already told me that." Tom retorts, "No, not president of the company. President of the United States." This was considered just a funny line at the time. It is now ironic that later in real life Murphy was elected Congressman and became the inspiration for Ronald Reagan to enter politics.
