Producer: Herman Schlom. Copyright 26 May 1944 by RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: no official release date. The movie was block booked. Australian release: 12 October 1944. 5,831 feet. 64 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Gildersleeve doesn't actually tangle with the ghosts (there are two of them), but he does dance a merry jive with both a now-you-see-her, now-you-don't showgirl and a not-so-tame but definitely dysfunctional gorilla.
NOTES: Fourth and last of the Gildersleeve movie series.
COMMENT: It's almost inevitable that every series character will meet a ghost at some time or other in their film careers. This of course is the Gildersleeve entry and a riot of fun this clever little spoof is too. Oddly, however, most of the amusement is not delivered by Gildersleeve. True, he's in the movie, in triplicate in fact, but he's only tolerably diverting. (He also looks different too. Less presentable, less debonair. Same director as before, so it must be the photographer's less indulgent lighting).
Oddly, all the best bits of business are handed to Marion Martin, and all the funniest comebacks are delivered by Nick Stewart. Now I'm certainly not complaining. I love Marion Martin. She's a real dish, and here, for once, she has a major role. As for Nick Stewart, he is one of the most adept (yet unappreciated) comedians in the business. Not that the movie is lacking in expert farceurs: Richard LeGrand, Emory Parnell, Lillian Randolph, Marie Blake, for instance. (Reicher is great too. The way he keeps a straight face in the midst of all this gorilla-swapping and visible-in/visible-out bedlam is amazing). But Stewart easily tops them all.
The Forrester kids have less footage in this movie. Margie Stewart makes an extremely indifferent Marjorie anyway.
Before I conclude, I must mention Amelita Ward. She's a knock-out! I must also pay tribute to Vernon L. Walker' marvelous special effects.
I'm amazed this entertaining entry received such bad reviews. Robert E. Kent's risible script takes the mickey out of several horror sub- genres, including the invisible woman, the mad scientist, the haunted house, plus real and fake gorillas on the rampage. My only complaint is that it all ends somewhat abruptly. But that's life!
SYNOPSIS: Gildersleeve doesn't actually tangle with the ghosts (there are two of them), but he does dance a merry jive with both a now-you-see-her, now-you-don't showgirl and a not-so-tame but definitely dysfunctional gorilla.
NOTES: Fourth and last of the Gildersleeve movie series.
COMMENT: It's almost inevitable that every series character will meet a ghost at some time or other in their film careers. This of course is the Gildersleeve entry and a riot of fun this clever little spoof is too. Oddly, however, most of the amusement is not delivered by Gildersleeve. True, he's in the movie, in triplicate in fact, but he's only tolerably diverting. (He also looks different too. Less presentable, less debonair. Same director as before, so it must be the photographer's less indulgent lighting).
Oddly, all the best bits of business are handed to Marion Martin, and all the funniest comebacks are delivered by Nick Stewart. Now I'm certainly not complaining. I love Marion Martin. She's a real dish, and here, for once, she has a major role. As for Nick Stewart, he is one of the most adept (yet unappreciated) comedians in the business. Not that the movie is lacking in expert farceurs: Richard LeGrand, Emory Parnell, Lillian Randolph, Marie Blake, for instance. (Reicher is great too. The way he keeps a straight face in the midst of all this gorilla-swapping and visible-in/visible-out bedlam is amazing). But Stewart easily tops them all.
The Forrester kids have less footage in this movie. Margie Stewart makes an extremely indifferent Marjorie anyway.
Before I conclude, I must mention Amelita Ward. She's a knock-out! I must also pay tribute to Vernon L. Walker' marvelous special effects.
I'm amazed this entertaining entry received such bad reviews. Robert E. Kent's risible script takes the mickey out of several horror sub- genres, including the invisible woman, the mad scientist, the haunted house, plus real and fake gorillas on the rampage. My only complaint is that it all ends somewhat abruptly. But that's life!