Two confidence tricksters are on the run and need a place to hide out. This was another film that I was lucky to obtain a copy of, and once again the recording wasn't the greatest. It was probably due to the deteriorating nature of this unrestored film, but it may have just been a bad taping job. I'm not sure which.
Anyway, I was able to get over the deficiencies and actually enjoy the film. It kind of grew on me. Even Joan Caulfield was okay in her role as Veronica's not so sharp sister. I was shocked, but come to think of it she would be perfect for that role wouldn't she? Veronica, of course, plays the smart one who's in charge. It turns out that the sisters have charmed some rich man out of 25 grand and have decided to abscond to Canada with the funds. During a violent storm they decide to take refuge in a seemingly empty home only to find that it's occupied by the character played by Barry Fitzgerald. He let's them stay, but he becomes very suspicious and eventually finds out the truth about the money they have taken. He extorts the sisters into helping out some local needy people with gifts, and tries to reform the naughty girls at the same time.
In her book Veronica states that Fitzgerald stole the film. "Without him and the role that he created, the film would have been far worse than it actually ended up being." There's many familiar faces in this movie. George Reeves of Superman fame plays a local man charmed by the sisters. He wants to raise some money so a new power plant can be built and electricity brought to Grove Falls - a small turn of the century Maine town the sisters have become reluctant guests of. William Demerest, a.k.a Uncle Charlie in "My Three Sons" plays the local sheriff hobbled by a broken leg.
This movie has some funny moments, and it's interesting to see the chemistry between Lake and Caulfield. Especially since she states in "Veronica" that there were very few words exchanged between them during the filming. It seems that Caulfied felt Veronica was stealing scenes from her. Well that wouldn't be very hard.
Author: Randall Dumas (Hartford, Connecticut, USA)It's mostly as it is in the dying days of Lake's Hollywood run and once again she takes on a comedy role and makes the most of it.
I wish they'd gone harder into the gags or sillier with the shenanigans.. the criminal sisters angle of them using the feminine whiles to twist people to their needs while doing dastardly things should have been the focus and something for actor and production to really ham up. As it is it's charming to see Lake working a role and having fun again.
Possibly the most notable part is that she gets to sing without being overdubbed.. she was no singer but carries it off adequately and with some charm.
After Saigon (1948) you can see Lake falling away from the movie industry, she had her turn in the spotlight and was pretty frank about her lack of singing (and acting) ability, but right away you can see she's a far better performer here. She adopts the tough girl persona well enough in a way the girl a decade before would have struggled with.
"I know I know... She's also a bit daffy, every so often she gets all quivery and soft just like raspberry jelly."
~Letty Stanton
The movie is light enough fare and not much to write home about but I look kindly on the output of my favourite 40's actress and appreciate seeing something a little different and find it amusing the two sexy criminal girls so modestly dressed (indeed they joke about how buried in clothing Lake's character is) are supposed to be that little bit of eye candy.
A light and pretty forgettable comedy but has some charm and worth it for Lake and Caulfield's charming performances.
Notes:
The cut to Lake's butt shot was rather amusing.
