I adore this nutty little film. I love Garson, Pidgeon, Taylor, and Lawford in almost any movie and particularly teamed together. Cesar Romero also adds flavor in a comedic supporting role. I enjoy classic and screwball comedies and have a long list made of those (this one is on it). Is this the best of the best? No, but it's fun and well made. That's a prerequisite for my list. I own it and still watch it each time it comes on TCM. Elizabeth Taylor, as the mutual daughter and young bride, is so young and lovely. She still has an innocence to her performance at this stage that I enjoy. Peter Lawford is young, suave, and cocky. Walter Pidgeon is typical Walter Pidgeon. But it's Greer Garson's movie and in it she shines. She produces screwball romantic comedy antics worthy of Irene Dunne or Jean Arthur. This is a must see for Garson fans. I highly recommend it to fans of any of the cast or of the genre. It's not perfect, but it sure entertains. And isn't that the point?
... View MoreIn 1936 London, veteran chorus girl and actress Greer Garson (as Julia) takes a bubble bath, then receives an invitation to the wedding of the teenage daughter she abandoned to pursue a career. For some reason, Ms. Garson never got around to divorcing wealthy Walter Pidgeon (as William Sylvester Packett), which should give you an idea where this is heading. Comments from his mother indicate Mr. Pidgeon had no subsequent interest in women. The daughter in question is sweet 16-year-old Elizabeth Taylor (as Susan), who is obviously matched-up with mural painter Peter Lawford (as Ritchie Lorgan)...Before reuniting with Pidgeon, Garson becomes a throaty singer, leggy dancer, and unlikely "flying acrobatic" performer with the troupe led by suave Cesar Romero (as Fred Ghenoccio), who wants to marry her himself. After witnessing the show, Mr. Pidgeon receives a kiss and spanking from a noisy seal, backstage in Paris. Deciding she wants to buy Ms. Taylor all the past Christmas gifts she's missed, Garson goes out to win some money gambling at a conveniently located casino...Winning no money at the roulette table, Garson next decides to become a prostitute, while having a smoke at the bar. She makes off with the cash, but leaves picked-up old Nigel Bruce (as Bruce "Bunny" Willowbrook) sexually unsatisfied. Later, Garson disrupts the wedding rehearsal with a superstitious story about the color pink, and then Garson does her seal impression. This, of course, recalls the earlier live seal scene with Pidgeon. None of this plays very well, or even makes much sense. A couple of the later scenes, with Garson and Pidgeon boating while Mr. Lawford gives Taylor a picnic kiss, are sweetly romantic.**** Julia Misbehaves (8/8/48) Jack Conway ~ Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Peter Lawford, Elizabeth Taylor
... View MoreI will not give away the plot, but will give my own run down on the characters. Walter Pigeon-he is good, but stuffy in his role-his best part is with the Seal. Greer Garson-L.B. Mayer must have wanted to punish her with this wacky role. Elizabeth Taylor-her first grown up role, I cannot believe MGM wanted her in grown up roles so soon. She is pretty, but seriously folks-she looks more like she is about to attend a sock hop. Peter Lawford-has an odd role, but not too bad. I think he was overall film wise the best human part. Nigel Bruce-as a dirty old man friend of Walter's. Reginald Owen-he was in it for just a bit and this was sad-he was a good actor and added much to films. Cesar Romero-talk about a challenging role, he plays a cockney speaking Englishman! Corny, but not bad. The Seal-this animal and his antics with the stuffy Walter Pigeon are priceless-the very best thing about the movie. Forget Elizabeth Taylor-the Seal acts and looks better in this film than she does. Sorry Liz.
... View MoreGreer Garson had not appeared in a comedy since the ill-fated "Remember?" in 1939. So M-G-M cast her and her most famous screen partner, Walter Pidgeon, in this, their first (and last) comedy. The only thing worth noting about this film was that Elizabeth Taylor, (then 16 years old) received her first screen-kiss from Peter Lawford in one of the more interesting scenes.
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