Collie Lang (Robert Montgomery) is an aspiring actor - though he seems a bit old to just be aspiring. Maybe the war delayed his plans? This is never explained. His mother is an accomplished attorney. She must have been practicing in the roaring 20s - what a trailblazer. But I digress.
The beginning of the film shows Collie appearing on a movie set dressed in kilts and speaking his lines that include the title - "once more my darling" while focusing on a set technician who looks like a bulldog. This is amusing in and of itself, but even more so if you know something about Montgomery's career. Twenty years before, in Buster Keaton's sound debut "Free and Easy", he was forced to dress up like a Cossack and sing a duet. It was ridiculous, so maybe Montgomery is reminiscing?
Montgomery, as an army reservist, is unwillingly pressed back into service to romance a debutante so that he can out her jewel thieving boyfriend, who is apparently very jealous. Why is the US government interested in a jewel caper? Because the purloined jewels came from a European estate that is still under allied supervision. The reason they pick him? He's "pretty". That's it. Not his acting skills or anything else. This is the preposterous premise I mention in the title.
The debutante turns out to be Ann Blythe in a delightful and unexpected performance as "Killer"/Marita Connell. She is a very quirky girl who speaks her every thought to everyone she meets while soaking herself in a particularly pungent perfume. Montgomery directed this film and he did a great job with this screwball comedy about ten years after that genre reached the height of its popularity.
It does get close to breeching the production code at times. For example, there is a scene where Killer and Collie are sharing the same hotel room, Killer is wearing a skimpy tennis outfit with the word "KILLER" embroidered across the front, and they are discussing whether or not they are safe.
Very much recommended if you can ever find a copy.
The beginning of the film shows Collie appearing on a movie set dressed in kilts and speaking his lines that include the title - "once more my darling" while focusing on a set technician who looks like a bulldog. This is amusing in and of itself, but even more so if you know something about Montgomery's career. Twenty years before, in Buster Keaton's sound debut "Free and Easy", he was forced to dress up like a Cossack and sing a duet. It was ridiculous, so maybe Montgomery is reminiscing?
Montgomery, as an army reservist, is unwillingly pressed back into service to romance a debutante so that he can out her jewel thieving boyfriend, who is apparently very jealous. Why is the US government interested in a jewel caper? Because the purloined jewels came from a European estate that is still under allied supervision. The reason they pick him? He's "pretty". That's it. Not his acting skills or anything else. This is the preposterous premise I mention in the title.
The debutante turns out to be Ann Blythe in a delightful and unexpected performance as "Killer"/Marita Connell. She is a very quirky girl who speaks her every thought to everyone she meets while soaking herself in a particularly pungent perfume. Montgomery directed this film and he did a great job with this screwball comedy about ten years after that genre reached the height of its popularity.
It does get close to breeching the production code at times. For example, there is a scene where Killer and Collie are sharing the same hotel room, Killer is wearing a skimpy tennis outfit with the word "KILLER" embroidered across the front, and they are discussing whether or not they are safe.
Very much recommended if you can ever find a copy.