SimonJack "Easy Living" is one of several outstanding film comedies that had a perfect combination of screenplay, direction and actors. This is an early brilliant and witty script by Preston Sturges. It has numerous scenes with running dialogs of witty and funny lines. And, when the dialog dies down, it's punctuated by slapstick, mayhem or sight gags that leave viewers roaring with laughter. What a marvelous film with multiple scenes of repartee and malapropisms.Jean Arthur shows once again why she was considered one of the finest comediennes who ever lived. Her Mary Smith is a likable, somewhat naïve character who is just right for the exchanges with a host of opportunists. She never really knows what all the fuss is about, or what others are talking about. None of the main characters know what all the opportunists think they know, so this bounces along from one hilarious situation to another. The supporting cast includes some of the best comedy characters in Hollywood at the time. Luis Alberni as Mr. Louis Louis utters some riotous malapropisms. "Oh, Mr. B, what a sight for an eye sore." Ray Milland, as John Ball Jr. is hilarious in his exchanges, especially with his father. But I think Edward Arnold as J.B. Ball, tops every scene he is in. How the man could keep a straight face, and maintain his grumpy posture throughout the film, is beyond me. It must have required many takes to put this comedy on film. I think this movie, like most very clever comedies, has a subtle message of satire. Here it clearly is high society, the spoiled nature of the rich, and the opportunists who pander to such society. They are a part of it, in that they live on the fringes and are welcomed in only because they are the willing servants and caterers to the society – by choice. Franklin Pangborn as Van Buren is the epitome of such people. And he plays the part perfectly. Watch for a long scene in the food automat after Ray Milland (Johnny) meets Jean Arthur (Mary Smith). The pandemonium and mayhem that break out make this one of the longest slapstick scenes I can remember. What a riot. Here are a few funny lines from the movie to whet your appetite. J.B. Ball says to son, John: "Oh, pooh! I was a banker's son, and up until I was 26 yeas old, I was just as dumb as you are." Graves, the butler, has been standing by and chimes in: "Yes, indeed, sir." Ball continues: "But after a while, all the fat fell off my brains and I… Say, how old are you?" Later in the conversation, John says to his dad: "I'm gonna make you eat those words." Ball: "That's all you'll be eating." John: "Possibly!" Ball: "Probably!" John: "Right! Yeah!" Ball: "Right! Yeah" John: "Yeah!" The butler, Graves: "Yes sir!"Mary Nash as Jenny Ball: "Well, you want me to look nice, don't you? After all, the wife of the fourth biggest banker..." Ball: "I beg your pardon. The third biggest banker. Well, I guess you've got me, Jenny." Jenny: "You're not as smart as people think you are."Ball has thrown a $58,000 sable coat his wife had just bought out the window of their high-rise apartment. On the street, he sees Mary Smith trying to find the owner and he tells her to keep it. Smith: "Now, wait a minute, Santa Claus." Ball: "Huh?" Smith: "What's the matter with it? Is it hot?" Ball: "Well, I don't know. I've never worn one." Smith: "What kind of fur is it anyway?" Ball: "Zebra. Anything else you want to know?"Louis Louis: "Miss Smith, I am a man like this. I don't beat around the bush to come in the back door." Smith blindfolds her piggy bank before she smashes it with the heel of her shoe. "Sorry, Wafford," she says. Johnny and Mary are at the breakfast table looking at the want ads in the newspaper. John: "Well, there must be something for somebody that can't do anything."

wes-connors Manhattan millionaire Edward Arnold (as John "J.B." Ball) is upset when he sees the bill for his wife's newest fur coat, a $58,000 sable. He tosses the coat off their Fifth Avenue rooftop and it lands on beautiful blonde Jean Arthur (as Mary Smith), ruining her feathered hat. She attempts to find the coat's owner, and meets Mr. Arnold. He gives Ms. Arthur the coat, and offers to buy her a new hat. Their swishy store clerk Franklin Pangborn (as Van Buren) starts a rumor hinting at a sexual relationship between Arthur and Arnold. When her straight-laced co-workers see Arthur in her expensive attire, she loses her job. Arthur may become homeless, but fate intervenes... When hotel owner Luis Alberni (as Louis Louis) learns about Arthur's alleged relationship, he invites her to stay in a luxurious suite. Enjoy Arthur surveying her beautiful hotel suite, without trying to remember all the steps that led her there. "Easy Living" doesn't transition clearly from situation to situation. Drawing on his past work, director Mitchell Leisen makes much of it look artful. He may have added additional slapstick to Preston Sturges' screenplay, which helps fill in the blanks. Also starring eligible young Ray Milland (as John Ball Jr.) and well-dressed Mary Nash (as Jenny Ball).******* Easy Living (7/7/37) Mitchell Leisen ~ Jean Arthur, Edward Arnold, Ray Milland, Luis Alberni

kenjha The lives of a rich banker and his son become unwittingly entangled with that of a poor working girl in this enjoyable if unspectacular comedy. Given that comic genius Preston Sturges wrote the screenplay, the talented Mitchell Leisen directed it, and adorable Jean Arthur stars in it, the film falls somewhat short of expectations. Sturges would of course go on to write and direct some of the best comedies of the era, but here the script is not as inspired as his later efforts. It has its moments though, including a slapstick scene in a cafeteria. As the perky young woman, Arthur is fine as usual, as are Arnold as the banker and Milland as his son.

barrymn1 All of the above statements are right on the money; this 1/2 slapstick, 1/2 sophisticated comedy is one of the all-time best of the 1930's. Jean Arthur is simply wonderful, Edward Arnold is great too....as is the young and up-and-coming Ray Milland. In fact, there isn't one single bad performance in this perfect Preston Sturges comedy. Even Michell Leisen often flat direction is pretty darn good here.Here's a bit of trivia: all of the jewels and furs used for this film were REAL and worth tens-of-thousands of dollars. I've read that there were security guards posted during the filming....so be sure that none of the jewels were stolen.It's really quite amazing that Leisen and Sturges got Paramount to rent all of these expensive furs and jewels.....If only Universal (the current owners of this classic) would get around to releasing this film on DVD.......