John Hathaway (Don Ameche) is a professor of psychology who has written a book about jealousy. He and his wife, Julie (Rosiland Russell) go to New York to sell his book to a publisher (Van Heflin). Heflin chases Russell, Heflin's secretary (Kay Francis) is jealous, Ameche isn't jealous because he trusts his wife, and Russell is upset that hubby isn't jealous.
Sounds like a good plot...but it just doesn't work. It took me 3 evenings to wade through this film. I don't think the problem is Ameche...he's as charming and attractive as always. I don't think the problem is Rosiland Russell...she's quite good here, and I had forgotten just how popular a film actress she was. And, I don't think the problem is Kay Francis...she's good, just as she usually was.
The problem, in my view, is Van Heflin. First, he simply doesn't come off as a playboy, and he looks plain goofy in that goatee. His character is not just the "bad guy", but there's nothing at all likable or intriguing about him. Put someone like Tyrone Power in the role (funny I'd think of him, considering how good he was in films with Don Ameche) and you'd have some sizzle. Here, Hefin is just limp bacon.
The film does have a clever dream sequence that is sort of Dali-esque.
Sounds like a good plot...but it just doesn't work. It took me 3 evenings to wade through this film. I don't think the problem is Ameche...he's as charming and attractive as always. I don't think the problem is Rosiland Russell...she's quite good here, and I had forgotten just how popular a film actress she was. And, I don't think the problem is Kay Francis...she's good, just as she usually was.
The problem, in my view, is Van Heflin. First, he simply doesn't come off as a playboy, and he looks plain goofy in that goatee. His character is not just the "bad guy", but there's nothing at all likable or intriguing about him. Put someone like Tyrone Power in the role (funny I'd think of him, considering how good he was in films with Don Ameche) and you'd have some sizzle. Here, Hefin is just limp bacon.
The film does have a clever dream sequence that is sort of Dali-esque.