girvsjoint
It's always fraught with danger when you re make something that's considered a classic, and this one is no exception, but I suppose with colour becoming the norm by the 1950's, as now, they tried a re make for newer generations. Don't think Ray Milland wanted to do it, but he was contracted to the studio. I certainly don't agree with the reviewer who said he was no good at comedy, that was his main stock in trade, and his breezy, suave comedy style brightened many a film over the years, wish there was someone half as good today. Jane Wyman could hold her own in a musical, she'd just made a couple of films with Bing, if you don't step up to the plate with Der Bingle, you look pretty shabby. The trouble wasn't with the players, it was the fact that the script wasn't as good as the original, and it doesn't pay to compare anyway, it's pleasant enough on it's own merits, no classic, but an enjoyable enough bit of fluff, carried by two veteran stars!
viveca-powell
I love old movies. Loved the original and was pleasantly surprised by this one. Did not know I was watching a remake until a bit into the movie. The clothes were fabulous and the script was funny. I liked the songs and thought Wyman was better than Irene Dunn in her part. The 2 Rays were OK, but they were no match for Carey Grant and Ralph Belamy in the original. Good actors have a range and Wyman showed hers here. She was delightful as the sister. I think some reviewers were a little hard on this remake. It may not be as good as the original, but it was still great. No need for Ray Milland to be ashamed. Nice way for him make nice bucks. Every movie doesn't have to be a Lost Weekend or a Johnny Belinda. Folks would stop going to the movies if everything was intense. Watching this one was a great way to spend a lazy afternoon.
Martha Wilcox
Despite the good cast, this is not a good film. Ray Milland overacts and is unconvincing with his dubbed singing voice. He doesn't do comedy well, neither does he do Westerns well. His fake American accent is unbearable to listen to. Jane Wyman has no rhythm when she dances and looks like a flat pancake when she sings. There is a scene where she reveals her firm thighs which looks incongruous in her slight frame. Only Tom Helmore plays a believable role.The strong points in the film include the Technicolor, production and costume designs. It is beautiful to look at, but there is no story to maintain your attention. They are just pictures of people talking.
XweAponX
The only reason I'm giving this an 8 is or Ray Milland's fair representation of playing the drums in the opening sequence, I was impressed with that.. He *mostly* hit the skins at the same time the sound hit the speakers, and if he was actually playing the trap kit I would not be surprised.As for being a musical remake of 1937's "The Awful Truth" - Well, "In the Good Old Summertime" was not a very good re-make of "The Shop Around The Corner" either, even though it has some good Judy songs in it- Or, "High. Society" for "The Philadelphia Story"- The originals of those romantic comedies were fine just the way they were, and did not need to be remade, especially the worst one of the 50's - "Bundle of Joy" (Remake of the hilarious "Bachelor Mother").I never understood why, in the 50's, when there were so many innovations in film: Widescreen, Stereo Sound, and Comfortable Theatres... that story-wise they had to regress back to the late 30's and re-hash films that had already worked once, with performances by actors and actresses whose performances could not ever be reproduced.Even so, there are a couple of things in this that are swell, for one thing Jane looks great and is on no lost weekend with Ray. The music is also good, the songs are actually well chosen and appropriate. Finally, Aldo Ray is almost as good as "The Hick" as Ralph Bellamy was in the original.So after getting over my initial revulsion of having to sit through yet another musical remake, I'd say this film is OK, especially for Columbia, which seems to fork out a good movie once every 5 years (true for the 50's as well as the 2000's)- But that little bit with Ray Milland playing Drums just about makes up for anything bad about the film.
AD
