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i must have seen a different film!!

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

In other words,this film is a surreal ride.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

The plot of this farce is very simple: Industrial chemist Barnaby(Cary Grant) has been trying for some years to create a concoction that makes us feel young again. Along comes one of his Chimp "guinea pigs", which escaped from her cage, and mixes a concoction that she pours into the empty water cooler, presumably to see if it does anything interesting to the imbibers. Result: it has dramatic effects on the behavior of imbibers: the more they drink, the farther back in time is their behavior, but only temporarily unless they keep on imbibing. Initially, Cary and Ginger Rogers act like well off college kids. After this wears off, they unknowingly drink a bigger dose and revert to the behavior of 10 year olds. Cary's boss, played by Charles Colburn, is even treated to the claim by Ginger that the toddler she brought with her is actually Cary! This is the second Hollywood film entitled "Monkey Business" that I am aware of. The 1931 Marx Brothers film lacks any monkeys or apes. but includes plenty of "monkey business". Of course, the comedic persona of the brothers was very different from that of Cary or Ginger. Theirs is rooted in vaudeville, emphasizing rapid-fire one liners, insults and physical slapstick, and usually incorporating a number of musical productions here and there(to the irritation of those who believe that music should be kept out of or minimized in comedies). From what I have seen, Cary usually tries to maintain a dignified composure even in the face of comedic adversity. An exception occurs when he is supposed to be acting as a 10 year old. Then, he and Ginger act more like Laurel and Hardy, for example. Typically, the screenplays of both are quite absurd. If that bothers you, better leave them for the kids to watch. In general, I find the humor in Cary comedies to be slow to develop, and inferior in total comedic content to that of various other contemporary comedians, despite the lack of musical interludes. This is true of the present film, although it's funnier than most Cary comedies I've Seen. Marylyn Monroe, in serving as Charles Colburn's non-too-talented secretary, is cast as mostly a buxom "straight man" and Cary's temporary companion, when he was feeling 20ish, for part of a day.In the end, after the remainder of the rejuvenating potion was inadvertently poured down the sink, with the formula unknown, Cary and Ginger conclude that what he has been chasing is too dangerous and not really that helpful, that: "You're old only when you forget you are young". Of course, today, we have an ever expanding stock of cosmetic, as well as, fundamental means of turning the clock back for many people, or reducing the speed of aging, in the first place.Especially recommended for children of a certain age.

It's a matter of opinion, but you could say that Howard Hawks closed out the classic Screwball Comedy period with MONKEY BUSINESS the way that Orson Welles closed out the Film Noir movement with TOUCH OF EVIL. For Cary Grant, his research chemist in MONKEY BUSINESS is practically a continuation of his archaeologist in Hawks's earlier BRINGING UP BABY. There are also animals playing important roles in the plots of these films, but otherwise the movies are very different. MONKEY BUSINESS is something of a one joke fantasy (a chimp concocts a fountain of youth mixture), but this one joke is played out as an elaborate and building 'theme and variations' which is often inspired even if it does go on a bit too long. The film advances steadily, if that's not a contradiction, into ever crazier territory, beginning with an underplayed deadpan scene between absentminded scientist Grant and his patiently understanding wife Rogers and progressing into the crosscut surrealism of Grant's 'scalping' of his rival while leading a band of child 'Indians' while Rogers is mistaking an infant for her husband! It's not to everyone's taste, but catch it in the right mood and this is downright hilarious.If Cary Grant wasn't the finest light comedian that film has ever produced, he was extremely close. He plays confused like no one else, and MONKEY BUSINESS is inconceivable without him. Ginger Rogers also was an expert hand at verbal wit as well as slapstick, and an old hand at comically playing younger than her actual age. She may have gone over-the-top in places, but she also provided many funny moments. Marilyn Monroe was expert at playing dumb blondes and thus is perfectly cast, and Charles Coburn is always a welcome face in a movie.MONKEY BUSINESS was something of a disappointment at the box office, though not the utter disaster that BRINGING UP BABY had been, and perhaps for this reason Howard Hawks always expressed dissatisfaction with it. Never one to take the blame for inadequacies, he seems to have singled out Ginger Rogers as his 'whipping girl' for this one. Hawks had wanted the younger Ava Gardner to play Cary Grant's wife and Grant had vetoed it, not wanting to have love scenes with an actress young enough to be his daughter (a common occurrence in movies of the fifties, including Grant's movies). Casting the 41-year-old Rogers was Grant's suggestion, and though Hawks acquiesced, multiple sources tell us that he treated her coldly during the shoot. His claim that she dictated disastrous changes in the script is doubtful to say the least as Ginger Rogers in 1952 had no power to dictate anything to either Howard Hawks or to any film studio. In my opinion, Hawks was lucky to have her.MONKEY BUSINESS isn't the best movie that any of its principals were involved with, but it remains entertaining 64 years after it was made. A fitting end for the great Screwball Era.

Considered by some to be a minor or a slight comedy, I simply love this "20th Century Fox" film. I saw it when I was very young on TV and it sparked an interest in Marilyn Monroe for me that has continued to this day. The film is fast paced and very cleverly written. The film allows all the distinguished cast involved to just really cut loose at all costs. The effect is completely hilarious. Carey Grant and the wonderful Ginger Rogers offer true comic genius. Scenes where they mentally regress to teen and child like behavior after accidentally consuming a drug mixed by a chimp in a research lab are a delight to behold.I especially liked the sequence when we first see Marilyn Monroe as Mr Oxley's secretary Miss Laurel. She is in the middle of showing Cary Grant her leg and the snag free asatate nylons he lab created. Mr. Oxley summons Carey Grant to his office. He then tells Mr Oxley he will be in his office in a minute. He is checking out Miss Laurel's Ass-a tates. (hmmm... Classic..!) The film continues to delight us in all scenes involving Marilyn. She is magnetic and mesmerizing even in this small supporting role. She even giggles beautifully and she does that in a very well done speeding car sequence. Her youthful exuberance would not be denied. Its hard to believe she would pass away just 10 years after this film was released. Its to bad her role and character weren't expanded upon a bit. Marilyns fan base and fame were rising at an alarming rate in 1951 and the studio didn't quite know what to do with her. Studio head Daryl Zanuck declared, "Put that girl in every film on our lot that requires a blonde" At this period in her career FOX was using her for little more than window dressing. Marilyn was in several light comedies between 1951 and 1954. I would recommend this film to anybody who appreciates Marilyn Monroe or good old fashioned Hollywood madcap humor.

Barnaby Fulton is a typical absent minded scientist. When we first see him, he is preparing to go out with his wife Edwina to a dance. He clearly does not want to go, because in his mind, the formula he has been working on has him worried. The secret youth producing elixir will not be able to be produced. Barnaby works for a company that is capitalizing its existence on the success of a product that will change people's lives as their lives will benefit with a youth feeling that no one else has marketed.Unknown to Barnaby, one chimp in the lab, decides to imitate Dr. Fulton and creates its own formula which he dumps in the water cooler. Barnaby, decides to taste his own creation himself, something the company does not encourage. Finding it ever so bitter, he must have some water to take away the after taste he gets after drinking his formula. The results are amazing: Barnaby becomes a reckless young man."Monkey Business" owes its success to the great Howard Hawks, a man that produced some of the best comedies of Hollywood that still are seen again and again. Mr. Hawks was a versatile man that knew what the public wanted. The comedy worked because all the elements came together to make it a timeless piece that will be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. The screenplay was by Ben Hecht, Charles Lederer and I.A.L. Diamond, and based on a story by Harry Segal.An inspired Cary Grant is the basically the excuse for watching the film. He shows his range in playing the morose scientist as well as the younger man that has fun playing with children as well. Mr. Grant is perfect as Barnaby. Ginger Rogers also has some excellent moments when she tastes her husband's magical formula, reverting to the time when she had just married Barnaby. Marilyn Monroe added a touch of mischief playing the secretary with all the right equipment to distract men at the office. Charles Coburn and Hugh Marlowe are also seen in supporting roles.