While this is not a brilliant film, it's exactly the sort of old fashioned Hollywood film that I love. It's a nice family slice of life film--much like "On Moonlight Bay" or "Life With Father". These films present a very idealized and sweet look at like in the 'good old days'. So perhaps it isn't 100% real or realistic, but it is fun--and quite nostalgic.
The best thing about this film, and the reason I watched it, is that it stars Charles Coburn. While not a household name, he was a marvelous supporting actor and played crusty old gents better than anyone. Take his movies "The Devil and Miss Jones" and "The More the Merrier"--no one could have done it better! Here in "Has Anyone Seen My Gal", he once again is at his best.
The movie begins with Coburn talking about dying--though his doctor insists if he takes care of himself he'll live for years. But this isn't what's important to Coburn--what he really cares about is what he'll do with his immense fortune after he dies. As he has no family, he decides he'll give it to the family of his old girlfriend--even though she's since died and he's never met these folks. So, on a whim, he decides to visit his old home town and meet the folks incognito. And, he also then decides to give them SOME of the inheritance to see what they do with it. The rest, it is a joy to watch...and so I won't say any more. Just see the film. Overall, a very nice film. My only reservation, and it's small, is that the mother is a bit too unlikable--and I wish they'd made her a bit less obnoxious. Still, it's well worth seeing.
By the way, during the film they mention two other films--"Anybody Here Seen Kelly?" with Bessie Love and "Hold Your Man" with Laura La Plante. These are real films from the late 1920s, if you are interested.
The best thing about this film, and the reason I watched it, is that it stars Charles Coburn. While not a household name, he was a marvelous supporting actor and played crusty old gents better than anyone. Take his movies "The Devil and Miss Jones" and "The More the Merrier"--no one could have done it better! Here in "Has Anyone Seen My Gal", he once again is at his best.
The movie begins with Coburn talking about dying--though his doctor insists if he takes care of himself he'll live for years. But this isn't what's important to Coburn--what he really cares about is what he'll do with his immense fortune after he dies. As he has no family, he decides he'll give it to the family of his old girlfriend--even though she's since died and he's never met these folks. So, on a whim, he decides to visit his old home town and meet the folks incognito. And, he also then decides to give them SOME of the inheritance to see what they do with it. The rest, it is a joy to watch...and so I won't say any more. Just see the film. Overall, a very nice film. My only reservation, and it's small, is that the mother is a bit too unlikable--and I wish they'd made her a bit less obnoxious. Still, it's well worth seeing.
By the way, during the film they mention two other films--"Anybody Here Seen Kelly?" with Bessie Love and "Hold Your Man" with Laura La Plante. These are real films from the late 1920s, if you are interested.