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Never a Dull Moment
Kay Kingsley, a sophisticated and successful songwriter in New York City. falls in love with a widowed rancher, Chris Heyward, she meets at the Madison Square Garden Rodeo and they get married, and leave for his ranch in the west. Her friends warn her of an early disillusionment with life on a ranch, far away from the glitter and bright lights of Broadway. Kay makes one difficulty adjustment after another, as the ranch is presided over by Chris's kids, and an incident occurs with a neighbor that prompts Kay to return to her glamorous life in New York. But she soon finds her heart is with Chris and his children.
Release : | 1950 |
Rating : | 5.6 |
Studio : | RKO Radio Pictures, |
Crew : | Art Direction, Art Direction, |
Cast : | Irene Dunne Fred MacMurray Natalie Wood William Demarest Andy Devine |
Genre : | Comedy Romance |
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Excellent, Without a doubt!!
I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.
One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.
Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
... nor the battle to the strong, but that's the way to bet. Alas, songwriter and novelist Kay Swift lost out badly in this adaptation of her novel which sees Irene Dunne clearly portraying someone based on Swift, i.e. a sophisticated Manhattan-based songwriter improbably 1) attending a rodeo in Madison Square Garden, 2) agreeing to a date with bronco buster Fred MacMurray (in real life ten years younger than the then 52 year old Dunne) and 3) marrying him and moving to his 'ranch' in the West and taking on his two sub-teen daughters, Natalie Wood and Gigi Perreau. In terms of comedies Dunne had made her fair share, especially with Cary Grant (The Awful Truth, My Favorite Wife) of actual funny comedies and also displayed her dramatic chops - her previous film to this was I Remember Mama, but she must have been aware of times' winged chariot to sign on for this turkey whose idea of conflict is having her shoot neighbour William Demarest's prize bull thinking it was a cougar and, oh, yes, Demarest controls all the water in the area.. In terms of funny it makes Russell Brand seem like Jack Benny.
The reviews on this board seem to hold Dunne and MacMurray up to their usual elite standard of comedy. There is nothing wrong with that if you only want to see the best of the best. So, if that's all you have time for, then perhaps you'll want to pass on this one.However, I watched this film today for the second time. Honestly, I didn't care much for it a few years ago, so I wrote it off. However, I recorded it thinking maybe I'd been too hard on it and as I watched it again, I realized that I had been a bit too judgmental.The weakness lies in the script. Perhaps the aging Irene Dunne (who certainly still looked lovely and young for her age), wasn't being offered the best scripts anymore. I find that sad for an actress of her caliber, but it still happens today when actresses approach the age of 45-50.However, it is still a cute comedy with a fine cast. Fred MacMurray is a macho but weary cowboy with financial problems. His performance reflects this stress effectively. His daughters are a bit precocious at first, but Irene passes their tests and their affection grows.The supporting cast is fine. I love the telephone scenes where all the local women can listen in on a conversation and, of course, begin gossiping. Poor Irene Dunne's character is worked to death by everyone with little appreciation, but this is purely for comic effect. Gigi Perreau and Natalie Wood were darling and great little horsewomen. If Natalie was having an awkward stage, as mentioned in some other reviews, then I'll take hers over the one I had with no braces and an unflattering Dorothy Hamill haircut when I was 11. Overall, this isn't the best of the best, but it's certainly not the worst of the worst. It's still worth a watch if you enjoy these actors or this genre. Predictable and formulaic it is, but it's still much better than most of what's showing today. Also, it has some catchy songs and we get to enjoy hearing Irene's lovely voice. I'm glad I viewed this one again. It was a fine way to spend a rainy afternoon with some of my favorite stars.
This movie featured Irenne Dunne city slicking wife who marries a widower rancher. She and her husband (Fred McMurray)are just a fun couple who have many funny incidents that happen as a married couple. This movie is reminiscent of The Egg and I that Dunne is featured in during the 1940s. Although some say this movie is not very good for Dunne and that it is predictable-- it is funny, innocent, and a great movie for a Sunday afternoon with the family. My family and I have watched copies of this on VHS for years and I even bought another copy off ebay hoping to get a better copy (but it happened to be a copy recorded from TV--BOO ebay!). Anyway my aunt asked me to borrow my copy just the other day and I couldn't help but to watch it again. It requires little though some good laughs and a love of classic films as a prerequisite to watch this one.
This may have been the type of movie that gave birth to that infamous variety headline as rural Wyoming townspeople in rancher territory are depicted in classic postwar city-slicker-learns-life-from-rural-perspective fashion. And central casting regulars, William Demarest, Andy Devine, Irving Bacon, Gene Evans, Chester Conklin, and others are on-hand to reprise their familiar supporting characters.The title is appropriate; the pacing is brisk; and Marshall's direction even shows flair at times. And, certainly, this movie is pleasing as intended - a relaxing and undemanding family comedy. The postwar theme of having able, brave, and plucky women return home to support their husbands without losing their guile or abilities to contribute is prominent and obvious. Irene Dunne, in her final role, smartly overcomes the writing to put her personal imprimatur on the lead character. Her best scenes are with Fred MacMurray's pre-adolescent daughters -- portrayed winningly by Natalie Wood and Gigi Pereau.Unfortunately, Fred MacMurray, normally a personal favorite who should have been a natural for the part, gives one of his least energetic and dopiest performances in the male lead. And while the moments are not dull, many of the sight gags are predictable, but still mildly amusing.Performance-wise, a fitting valedictory for Miss Dunne. Overall, Never a Dull Moment is a pleasant-enough movie to relax with and relive 1950 without awakening your brain.