This film really belonged to Ann Southern (Hattie), but it came along just as Red Skelton was skyrocketing, so he got top billing. I'm not complaining; I've always been a fan of Red. This is a pleasant enough B movie, but if you watch for the Cole Porter songs (this is an adaption of a Cole Porter Broadway musical), you'll be disappointed. Only 4 of Porter's song make it into the film. Interestingly, the musical numbers were staged by Vincente Minnelli.
Skelton is just what you want Skelton to be, although it's pretty clear the top billing came after the script was written. We have forgotten how talented Ann Southern was...perhaps because of her later years in television. Rags Ragland (who was always best with Skelton) and Ben Blue are along for laughs. Virginia O'Brien is her usual deadpan self, and Alan Mowbray is...what else...a butler. Dan Dailey is Southern's love interest. Lena Horne takes a couple of turns as a singer, but gets no billing. And the spectacular African-American dancers The Berry Brothers are stunning, but also got no billing.
Unfortunately, just about an hour into the film, it seems to lose direction. Let's see, I thought it was about the love story between Southern and Dailey...oops, that disappears until the very end of the film. Oh, suddenly it's about the zany trio (Skelton, Blue, Ragland) catching spies...well, it is, for a few minutes. And so it goes.
But, it's a sort of fun pic and good for a watch.
Skelton is just what you want Skelton to be, although it's pretty clear the top billing came after the script was written. We have forgotten how talented Ann Southern was...perhaps because of her later years in television. Rags Ragland (who was always best with Skelton) and Ben Blue are along for laughs. Virginia O'Brien is her usual deadpan self, and Alan Mowbray is...what else...a butler. Dan Dailey is Southern's love interest. Lena Horne takes a couple of turns as a singer, but gets no billing. And the spectacular African-American dancers The Berry Brothers are stunning, but also got no billing.
Unfortunately, just about an hour into the film, it seems to lose direction. Let's see, I thought it was about the love story between Southern and Dailey...oops, that disappears until the very end of the film. Oh, suddenly it's about the zany trio (Skelton, Blue, Ragland) catching spies...well, it is, for a few minutes. And so it goes.
But, it's a sort of fun pic and good for a watch.