The movie's more a collection of sometimes funny schtick than a satisfying whole. The premise of Johnson being a rather obnoxious author of children's books shows promise, especially when he tangles with prudish illustrator Martha (Allyson). In order to win Martha back Greg (Johnson) schemes with publisher Mc Grath (Cronyn) to adopt a kid (Jenkins) who turns out to be a little hellion. As they say, complications ensue. On the whole, the film's series of skits tends to crowd up without building comedic impact. For example, the climactic car ride appears more frantic than funny. Johnson manages the madcap pretty well, while Allyson gets a straight-man role unfortunately subverting her usual sparkle. At the same time, that required restraint undercuts the pairing of its usual compelling chemistry. Of course, buck-toothed Jenkins steals the film with little boy antics for which he was so well suited. Still, his frustrated desire to be adopted does provide a poignant note. However, for me, seeing Cronyn in a slapstick role takes some getting used to since I identify him with the scary Nazi-like warden in the prison classic Brute Force (1947). He was quite an actor.On the whole, the comedy's a decent time-passer with enough set-ups to generate a few laughs from most anyone. But a well-crafted, efficient slice of madcap, it's not.

June Allison and Van Johnson made quite a few films together. Most were very nice, but this one is pretty dreadful--thanks to some terrible writing and a super-contrived plot. In addition, instead of the usual sweet couple, the studio chose to cast Van as a real jerk--and it just didn't fit his on-screen persona. You know the film has trouble when the actor that came off best in the film was young Butch Jenkins!! The film begins with Allison winning a contest to see who will illustrate the next book by a world-famous author of children's' books (Johnson). However, Johnson is NOT a nice child-friendly guy, but a heavy-drinking womanizing jerk. And, when he meets the nice and naive Allison, he proceeds to get her drunk and treats her like a piece of meat. The publisher is aghast and apologizes to her--and makes up a STUPID story about Johnson acting this way because he was a sad widow with a very unruly young son(?!?!?!). So, he talks Johnson into a situation where they need to borrow a kid (Jenkins) and pose as father and son. This is 100% contrived...and moronic.Along the way, it's not surprising that the couple fall in love. But you wonder why--Johnson is a heel and a habitual liar. And, because of that, you really DON'T want them to find each other in the end. As for Jenkins, he's really good and plays a great Dennis the Menace sort of kid. This is a VERY welcome change, as MGM promoted him for years--even though the kid could barely act. Here, however, he's in his element--mostly because he's a bit older and finally had a decent role. But, it could NOT be a breakout role and the movie was a dud. Poor kid...and poor audience!5

June Allyson doing her thing. This time, she's a down-home gal and ace illustrator who wins a contest for her artwork to be used in a new children's book penned by the beloved Uncle Bumps, a modern-day Hans Christian Andersen. Turns out Uncle Bumps is really a hard-drinking, free-wheeling bachelor who dislikes children--yet he is so taken with this uptight artist once he meets her, he attempts to woo her under an alias. Why? It doesn't matter, for this is a vehicle for Allyson and Van Johnson (movie favorites at the time), and the script treats their characters like human bumper-cars just to keep star-watchers on their toes. Johnson's ruse is soon exposed, forcing him to emulate an honorable guy--which includes 'borrowing' an orphan to pose as his son. June threatens to dislodge him from the ranks of celebrity by reporting him to her cousin, a banner of controversial books and plays (she actually seems to proud to know such a person). Throw in an obnoxious hometown beau waiting in the wings, a wedding overcome with ants, and Hume Cronyn as a publisher on the brink of a nervous breakdown, and you have all the ingredients for a laughless family fracas done with neither style nor merit. *1/2 from ****

A famous children's' story writer named Uncle Bumps (Van Johnson) needs someone to illustrate his latest book. A contest is held, and an artist is chosen, Miss Martha Terryton (June Allyson). Martha is an uptight, prudish woman with little tolerance for wasting time. Uncle Bumps is really Greg Rawlings, a young playboy with no work ethic and a penchant for young women. He attempts to work his magic on Martha, and after hard work and trickery, including telling her that he has a son (Butch Jenkins), it begins to work. That's when his married girlfriend (Arlene Dahl) comes into the picture and messes everything up.This movie has the same sentiment that another Johnson and Allyson film does: Too Young to Kiss. There is the same love-hate relationship between the two with the obvious ending, but plenty of fun along the way. The two had a strong chemistry, which is why they made so many films together.Another wonderful addition to this film is Jenkins, the same kid from The Human Comedy. He's a little older here, and such a lovable little boy, though he isn't traditionally cute, but he's lots of fun to watch.