NOTES: Third and final screen version of Hagen's stage play.
COMMENT: Re-makes can almost always be compared in an unfavorable light with their originals. And this maxim certainly holds true for this re-serving of The Strawberry Blonde (although that movie itself was a re-make, it is the exception that proves the rule). For a start, the players are inferior. I mean, how can you compare Dennis Morgan (whom I like) with James Cagney? Or Janis Paige (whom I also admire) with Rita Hayworth? Admittedly, Don DeFore (never my choice for the world's finest actor) makes a surprisingly deft stab at the Jack Carson spot (though still falling short).
The one and only really bright star in this new cast line-up is the lovely Dorothy Malone who comes across as a warm and enchanting Amy Lind.
As for the script, with typical re-make oversight, the Epstein twins are not credited, even though it's quite apparent that Mr Richards has based his screenplay firmly on the 1941 movie rather than the 1933 stage play. In fact, he's made very few additions or changes and hasn't even bothered to alter or delete such giveaway lines as "That's the kind of a hair-pin I am!" Very appropriate for Jimmy Cagney but quite out of character for Dennis Morgan.
Admittedly, a few indifferent new songs as well as some more old favorites have been introduced into the pot, plus a helping of not-so-funny comic routines for Mr Blue. On the other hand, some of the incidents retain sufficient power to induce a fair amount of laughter and the plot has still enough drama to survive even the well-intentioned efforts of this second-rate roster of players.
Although Walsh's direction remains competent enough, he fails to refurbish anything like the luxuriant style and inventive flair he brought to Strawberry Blonde. Fortunately, the art director has taken advantage of the producer's splurge on Technicolor. The sets are entrancingly in period and the film is beautifully photographed in very delicate colors that consistently please the eye, even though the dialogue seems less attractive to the ear.
COMMENT: Re-makes can almost always be compared in an unfavorable light with their originals. And this maxim certainly holds true for this re-serving of The Strawberry Blonde (although that movie itself was a re-make, it is the exception that proves the rule). For a start, the players are inferior. I mean, how can you compare Dennis Morgan (whom I like) with James Cagney? Or Janis Paige (whom I also admire) with Rita Hayworth? Admittedly, Don DeFore (never my choice for the world's finest actor) makes a surprisingly deft stab at the Jack Carson spot (though still falling short).
The one and only really bright star in this new cast line-up is the lovely Dorothy Malone who comes across as a warm and enchanting Amy Lind.
As for the script, with typical re-make oversight, the Epstein twins are not credited, even though it's quite apparent that Mr Richards has based his screenplay firmly on the 1941 movie rather than the 1933 stage play. In fact, he's made very few additions or changes and hasn't even bothered to alter or delete such giveaway lines as "That's the kind of a hair-pin I am!" Very appropriate for Jimmy Cagney but quite out of character for Dennis Morgan.
Admittedly, a few indifferent new songs as well as some more old favorites have been introduced into the pot, plus a helping of not-so-funny comic routines for Mr Blue. On the other hand, some of the incidents retain sufficient power to induce a fair amount of laughter and the plot has still enough drama to survive even the well-intentioned efforts of this second-rate roster of players.
Although Walsh's direction remains competent enough, he fails to refurbish anything like the luxuriant style and inventive flair he brought to Strawberry Blonde. Fortunately, the art director has taken advantage of the producer's splurge on Technicolor. The sets are entrancingly in period and the film is beautifully photographed in very delicate colors that consistently please the eye, even though the dialogue seems less attractive to the ear.