Screen Directors Playhouse: A Midsummer Daydream (1955)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Incredibly far-fetched romantic comedy about a man (Don Hanmer) who has wanted to get married his entire life but always is too scared to talk to the girl he likes. He ends up hanging out in a marriage license bureau where he begins chatting with the clerk (Kim Hunter) but of course he's too scared to ask her the big question and soon a slick gambler (Keenan Wynn) comes in and try to make a move. Those familiar with the work of John Brahm will probably remember stuff like THE UNDYING MONSTER and THE LODGER so seeing his name attached to something like this is going to be a new treat. The "daydream" in the title is so true because if you go into this film and take anything serious then you're going to find it to be the most pathetic and stupid thing you've ever seen. As long as you can buy the fantasy aspect of the story then it's a fairly decent little movie. The big and unique thing is that the Hanmer character has always saved his money for the day that he gets married. Having saved all his money it ends up coming to $27,000 and this is when he quit his job to search for that bride. Even the clerk has a big backstory that makes you want to see the two get together but you also have the gambler and his charm. Overall this is a pretty good film that manages to get three fine performances from the leads. Hanmer was charming in his part even though, in all honesty, the character was just inches away from being a stalker or a creeper. Hunter was also quite charming in her part and there's no question that she had some nice chemistry with Hanmer. Wynn does his typical routine but it's always worth watching. For the most part Brahn handles the material quite well but this is certainly a long way from THE LODGER.