First, I have to disagree strongly with one of our reviewers who claimed that Joe E. Brown was "a minor film comic". Really? In 1933 and 1936, he was one of the top ten money makers in American cinema.
It's a tricky business introducing pathos into a film comedy. How much is too much? In this film the pathos outbalances the comedy...but it works. True, this is not one of Brown's funniest films, but it may be his most endearing portrayal -- a college botanist who is remarkably timid, especially around girls. Ironically, Brown was 42 when he played a college student here, but his real natural athletic ability made him seem far younger.
Most viewers probably won't recognize any of the other actors in the film, but they all do what they need to do to make this film so much more substantial than Brown's films even one year previous.
The film is humorous rather than out-and-out funny, but Brown's acting is probably better here.
I enjoyed it a lot!
It's a tricky business introducing pathos into a film comedy. How much is too much? In this film the pathos outbalances the comedy...but it works. True, this is not one of Brown's funniest films, but it may be his most endearing portrayal -- a college botanist who is remarkably timid, especially around girls. Ironically, Brown was 42 when he played a college student here, but his real natural athletic ability made him seem far younger.
Most viewers probably won't recognize any of the other actors in the film, but they all do what they need to do to make this film so much more substantial than Brown's films even one year previous.
The film is humorous rather than out-and-out funny, but Brown's acting is probably better here.
I enjoyed it a lot!