mmallon4 Ball of Fire is the more grown up, risqué version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; even during the opening scene the film's cast of professors are seen walking in tandem through Central Park like the seven dwarfs as they adhere to a strict daily seclude in an attempt to compile an encyclopaedia of all human knowledge. The film plays off the public perception of bureaucrats, bankers, librarians and people in other such mundane professions. Are they such sheltered, socially awkward individuals who are in bed at 9 every night and have likely never been in a relationship? The recurring Howard Hawks' theme of male bonding is ever present in Ball of Fire, although here it is all the more goofy with a cast of characters playing nerds. Regardless there still remains one very poignant scene in which Professor Oddly (the only bachelor of the group) recounts about his past wife and the men start singing.There are few other character entrances in film more entertaining than that of Barbara Stanwyck as Sugarpuss O'Shea (a not so innocent name by today's standard) as she enters the picture singing and dancing with Gene Krupa and his orchestra - could the character's fast-living personality be summed up in a more entertaining manner? Likewise, that dress! No wonder Edith Head had decades working in the industry. Notice it's nonstop sparkling every moment it's on screen, making Stanwyck look all the more tantalising. Almost all the outfits worn by Stanwyck in Ball of Fire are clearly designed to make her look as sexually appealing as possible. When Professor "Potsy" Potts (Gary Cooper) and Sugarpuss are alone, the sexual sparks fly and when she holds up a leg she gives a group of socially awkward, sheltered middle-aged to old men a sexual awakening. It's all the more poignant that the man she seduces is played a Gary Cooper; a contrast to his boy scouty screen image. Here Cooper is a nerd, and while he did play tough guys on screen, he will always be that boy next door. Ball of Fire is full of lines and moments which wouldn't feel out of place in a film made before the production code. At the beginning of the film, we even see Professor Potts arousing the funder of the encyclopaedia project by merely talking to her in an attempt to convince her to keep the project running.Ball of Fire is worth watching multiple times for all the lines you can easily miss out on. For example, when a garbage man (Allen Jenkins) comes into the house to ask the men for assistance on radio quiz, one of the questions regards the correct way to state a mathematical problem: "2 and 2 is 5, 2 and 2 are 5, 2 or 2 makes 5". Cooper states the correct answer is "2 and 2 are 5" however the mathematician of the group then states "2 and 2 are 4" followed by the garbage man responding, "that's a good one, nobody's gonna get that". Am I detecting a sneaky Orwellian statement pre-1984?

JohnHowardReid Producer Sam Goldwyn has really opened up the purse strings on this all-star musical comedy in which every move both in front of and behind the camera adds up to a glorious feast. Both Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck are in fine fettle, and they're supported by a wonderful array of our favorite character players. Even Elisha Cook, Jr. is on hand. And in addition to the character players like Oscar Homolka, Henry Travers and S.Z. Sakall, we find a number of rising stars in support spots including Dana Andrews as the chief villain and Dan Duryea as another mobster. As usual from Sam Goldwyn, production values are superb. Ball of Fire has a place in history as the last of Hollywood's famous pre-war screwball comedies. World War 2 put paid to this genre. Goldwyn's later attempt to remake the film as a musical for Danny Kaye, A Song Is Born (1948), was not successful. Incidentally, as some viewers have noted, the sound is low on the DVD in some of the earlier scenes, but it improves vastly once Gene Krupa makes his appearance.

David_Brown There is really nothing wrong with this film, from the directing to the acting, to the script. Spoilers Ahead: What makes this film work is the obvious chemistry between Stanwyck and Cooper, particularly in the scene in the bungalow where Potts (Cooper) confronts Sugarpuss (Stanwyck) with the truth that she essentially played him and the other professors for fools, and you see her face in the darkened room referring to herself as a tramp. If anyone has ever watched Stanwyck you know she is the kind of woman to quote Miss Bragg (Kathleen Howard) in this film "That causes the destruction of empires.", and for Stanwyck to give even an inch is unusual. Equally unusual is Cooper to end up with the kind of woman that is not ideal. In fact, of his films (That did not co-star Stanwyck They appeared 3 times together ) I can only think of 3 other times this happened. 1: "Desire" (Marlene Dietrich) 2: Vera Cruz (Sara Montiel), and 3: Along Came Jones (Loretta Young (A film very much like "Ball of Fire" with Young (Even more than Cooper) really cast against type). What really makes this film is the supporting cast, which is unusually strong: Allen Jenkins, Dan Duryea, Dana Andrews, Oskar Homolka, and Henry Travers. A special note goes to Gene Krupa who played "Drum Boogie" on a matchbook (He actually did it for fun, and it was later added to the film). If someone is a Cooper, and (or) a Stanwyck fan it should be a must see. If someone is unfamiliar with Stanwyck, and wants to see why she was great, this is an excellent place to start.

wes-connors Eight professors compiling information for an encyclopedia provide refuge for sexy singer Barbara Stanwyck (as "Sugarpuss" O'Shea), who is hiding from police investigating gangster boyfriend Dana Andrews (as Joe Lilac). Tall, dark and handsome Gary Cooper (as Bertram "Potsie" Potts) stands out among the otherwise short, gray and older professors. You should be able to guess what happens between Mr. Cooper and Ms. Stanwyck. With so many character actors and ripe lines around, it's difficult to stand out - but there are some fun moments for the crowd. Singing for Stanwyck, Martha Tilton and drummer Gene Krupa contribute a rousing rendition of his "Drum Boogie" hit. Impressive sanitation worker Allen Jenkins is the one who prompts the professors to include a section on "slang" in their encyclopedia, allowing Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett to show off wit.****** Ball of Fire (12/02/41) Howard Hawks ~ Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Dana Andrews, Allen Jenkins