As Young as You Feel (1951)

A 65-year-old printer hatches an elaborate scheme to avoid forced retirement.

Director:

Harmon Jones

Writers:

Lamar Trotti (screen play), Paddy Chayefsky (story)

Stars:

Monty Woolley, Thelma Ritter, David Wayne

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Monty Woolley	...	John R. Hodges
Thelma Ritter	...	Della Hodges
David Wayne	...	Joe Elliott
Jean Peters	...	Alice Hodges
Constance Bennett	...	Lucille McKinley
Marilyn Monroe	...	Harriet
Allyn Joslyn	...	George Hodges
Albert Dekker	...	Louis McKinley
Clinton Sundberg	...	Frank Erickson
Minor Watson	...	Harold P. Cleveland
Wally Brown	...	Horace Gallagher
Russ Tamblyn	...	Willie McKinley (as Rusty Tamblyn)

Storyline

Sixty-five-year-old John Hodges must retire from Acme Printing. He later impersonates the president of the parent company and arrives at his old plant on an inspection tour. Acme president McKinley is so nervous not even his beautiful secretary Harriet can calm him. McKinley's wife Lucille becomes infatuated with Hodges. Many further complications ensue.

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Plot Keywords:

secretary | impostor | forced retirement | speech | assumed identity | 

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Taglines:

A thousand cheers for the nation's happy-as-lark family!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1951 (UK)

Also Known As:

Will You Love Me in December?

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

On December 10, 1950, Marilyn Monroe began her second contractual relationship with Twentieth Century Fox. (Their initial association had lasted one year, beginning August 26, 1946.) This movie, shot between December 15, 1950 and late January 1951, was Monroe's first assignment under the new contract.

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Quotes

Chamber of Commerce President: Gentlemen, my advice is to emulate that estimable creature of the sea, the clam, and say absolutely nothing.

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Connections

Referenced in American Masters: None Without Sin (2003)

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Soundtracks

Maria, My Own (Maria La O)
(uncredited)
Music by Ernesto Lecuona
Played as dance music at the country club after McKinley leaves and occasionally in the score

User Reviews

A charming little movie

This is among my favorite "little movies"--movies that were small budget and about everyday people with everyday problems. The lead is played by the crotchety but very erudite Monty Woolley. Monty is forced to retire from his job as a printer due to his age, even though he still feels young and vigorous. Everyone around him seems to agree that retirement shouldn't be forced upon you if you are still able and willing to work, but no one in this large company where he works seems to be able to anything about this rule--especially since the company is actually controlled by a huge corporation. They just keep saying it's company policy and they would change it if they could--maybe he should talk the the guy in charge to get the rule changed someone suggests. Unfortunately, no one seems to know exactly who that is or how to find him. Out of sheer frustration, he hatches a plot to impersonate the company's CEO and make the changes himself! Unfortunately, this relatively simple plan snowballs and lots of unforeseen problems arise.

This is a brisk, cute movie that it sure to please. The acting is superb (I just love Woolley in films), the story well written and the film leaves you smiling.

PS--Get Marilyn Monroe OFF the Video Cover!!! She's barely in the movie at all--if you expect her, expect to be disappointed. Stupid advertising folks!