Charles Brackett and Mitchell Leisen collaborated on a few successful films, including the dramatic TO EACH HIS OWN ('46), but here the accent is on a rollicking romantic comedy starring GENE TIERNEY, JOHN LUND, THELMA RITTER and MIRIAM HOPKINS.
It's a spin on the mistaken identity theme, with Ritter inadvertently thought to be a much needed maid when she shows up at Gene Tierney's house at an opportune moment with the lady in distress for a good cook. Thelma assumes the identity of the hired help while socialite Tierney is unaware that she's really the mother of John Lund, her new hubby.
Even more complications ensue when Tierney's snobbish mother (MIRIAM HOPKINS) turns up, intending to show her disapproval of Tierney's impulsive decision to marry Lund. Lund has no affection for Hopkins. "She fills every room with poison gas," he remarks to his colleagues at work.
***** POSSIBLE SPOILERS HERE ***** But it's his own snobbish attitude in not wanting to tell Tierney his mother's identity that gets him into hot water with Gene when she finds out the truth about their cook. She puts on the big freeze and tells him she's going to take up residence in Mexico--until things are straightened up in the last ten minutes with a rather contrived ending that has Tierney and Lund suddenly reunited while Ritter unexpectedly finds a mate of her own.
THELMA RITTER was Oscar-nominated as the fast talking mother-in-law who happens to be a gourmet cook--one of six nominations but no wins.
Summing up: Well worthwhile, with all of the principal players getting a chance to show a nice flair for comedy.
It's a spin on the mistaken identity theme, with Ritter inadvertently thought to be a much needed maid when she shows up at Gene Tierney's house at an opportune moment with the lady in distress for a good cook. Thelma assumes the identity of the hired help while socialite Tierney is unaware that she's really the mother of John Lund, her new hubby.
Even more complications ensue when Tierney's snobbish mother (MIRIAM HOPKINS) turns up, intending to show her disapproval of Tierney's impulsive decision to marry Lund. Lund has no affection for Hopkins. "She fills every room with poison gas," he remarks to his colleagues at work.
***** POSSIBLE SPOILERS HERE ***** But it's his own snobbish attitude in not wanting to tell Tierney his mother's identity that gets him into hot water with Gene when she finds out the truth about their cook. She puts on the big freeze and tells him she's going to take up residence in Mexico--until things are straightened up in the last ten minutes with a rather contrived ending that has Tierney and Lund suddenly reunited while Ritter unexpectedly finds a mate of her own.
THELMA RITTER was Oscar-nominated as the fast talking mother-in-law who happens to be a gourmet cook--one of six nominations but no wins.
Summing up: Well worthwhile, with all of the principal players getting a chance to show a nice flair for comedy.