Grimerlana Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Stellead Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Ceticultsot Beautiful, moving film.

MoPoshy Absolutely brilliant

dougdoepke The movie's more a collection of sometimes funny schtick than a satisfying whole. The premise of Johnson being a rather obnoxious author of children's books shows promise, especially when he tangles with prudish illustrator Martha (Allyson). In order to win Martha back Greg (Johnson) schemes with publisher Mc Grath (Cronyn) to adopt a kid (Jenkins) who turns out to be a little hellion. As they say, complications ensue. On the whole, the film's series of skits tends to crowd up without building comedic impact. For example, the climactic car ride appears more frantic than funny. Johnson manages the madcap pretty well, while Allyson gets a straight-man role unfortunately subverting her usual sparkle. At the same time, that required restraint undercuts the pairing of its usual compelling chemistry. Of course, buck-toothed Jenkins steals the film with little boy antics for which he was so well suited. Still, his frustrated desire to be adopted does provide a poignant note. However, for me, seeing Cronyn in a slapstick role takes some getting used to since I identify him with the scary Nazi-like warden in the prison classic Brute Force (1947). He was quite an actor.On the whole, the comedy's a decent time-passer with enough set-ups to generate a few laughs from most anyone. But a well-crafted, efficient slice of madcap, it's not.

vincentlynch-moonoi Van Johnson and June Allyson were good together...if the material was good. Not so good when the material was stupid. And this material is the latter.In the early parts of the film, Johnson seems downright creepy. He's supposed to be a bit of a playboy, but here he seems like more of a letch. Playing with Allyson's hair in a creepy way, blowing in her ear when she's clearly not inclined. Later in the film there's a bit of slapstick, which Johnson actually does quite well at, but it just seems so out of place in the film. Of course, later in the film he's sort of reformed once he begins falling in real love with Allyson.And then there's Allyson. Well, somehow I just didn't find Allyson that funny as a drunk.Perhaps the problem here is the plot and how they characterized Van Johnson's role. A children's' book writer who hates kids and is a playboy. It had potential. Unfulfilled potential, and the ultimate outcome was so obvious from the beginning.If the film is saved by anyone, it is -- perhaps a bit, at least -- by Hume Cronyn as the publisher, and by Butch Jenkins, the child actor who portrays a child sort of "rented" to pretend Johnson has a son. More disappointing is a rather poor role for the very talented Una Merkel (although this was in the period of her career when she wasn't too popular). Arlene Dahl also had a disappointing role here; Dahl was quite a good actress, but never made it beyond supporting roles or starring in B pictures.This film had potential, but turned out rather disappointing. It has its moments...for example a rather funny Indian sequence. But overall, this seems like a very long 98 minutes.

secondtake The Bride Goes Wild (1948)This is a common kind of entertainment film using a catching, breezy plot and high profile actors, but filmed with bright simplicity and without attempting too much more that the basics.And all of these basic goals are met here—cheerfully, and rather enjoyably. That is, if you take it for what it is, this is a warm and well made romantic comedy. It excels most for the sweet and subtle acting by June Allyson, and by the surprise depth of the buck-toothed boy character in the movie, Jackie Jenkins. The leading man has never been a favorite of mine—Van Johnson, but he holds up his end well enough.The plot is a clever set up, reminding me for some reason of the mixed-up plot of "Christmas in Connecticut," which has the same lighthearted feeling. People pretend to be one thing and get into a comical—and romantic trap—by trying to maintain the farce. Everyone is lying, in a way, even the innocent woman who at first is purely innocent. (She ends up pretending, or changing you might say, for different reasons, which the audience appreciates.)This is no screwball comedy. It lacks the insanity, and the wit, and maybe even the inevitability (even though you know how it ends, more or less). It's a good romp with some excellent acting to shore up the feeble plot. There are lots of great moments, and even an oddly spectacular bit of nonsense near the end where a whole room full of character actors get truly nutty at the same time. Quite funny.

MartinHafer June Allison and Van Johnson made quite a few films together. Most were very nice, but this one is pretty dreadful--thanks to some terrible writing and a super-contrived plot. In addition, instead of the usual sweet couple, the studio chose to cast Van as a real jerk--and it just didn't fit his on-screen persona. You know the film has trouble when the actor that came off best in the film was young Butch Jenkins!! The film begins with Allison winning a contest to see who will illustrate the next book by a world-famous author of children's' books (Johnson). However, Johnson is NOT a nice child-friendly guy, but a heavy-drinking womanizing jerk. And, when he meets the nice and naive Allison, he proceeds to get her drunk and treats her like a piece of meat. The publisher is aghast and apologizes to her--and makes up a STUPID story about Johnson acting this way because he was a sad widow with a very unruly young son(?!?!?!). So, he talks Johnson into a situation where they need to borrow a kid (Jenkins) and pose as father and son. This is 100% contrived...and moronic.Along the way, it's not surprising that the couple fall in love. But you wonder why--Johnson is a heel and a habitual liar. And, because of that, you really DON'T want them to find each other in the end. As for Jenkins, he's really good and plays a great Dennis the Menace sort of kid. This is a VERY welcome change, as MGM promoted him for years--even though the kid could barely act. Here, however, he's in his element--mostly because he's a bit older and finally had a decent role. But, it could NOT be a breakout role and the movie was a dud. Poor kid...and poor audience!5