Based on a play about a real life couple...this screwball comedy starring Jimmy Stewart finally had me laughing out loud in the end.
Jimmy Stewart plays Bill Lawrence, a husband, father of two, department store manager...hoping to get a promotion, and weekly canasta player. He is just a regular guy, until he wins a radio show's contest by guessing the "mystery husband" over the phone live on the radio. His prize $24,000...only it's not really cash, it is goods and services, and as his house starts to fill up with those goods and services he discovers that the IRS doesn't care that he doesn't have the money to pay the tax on those goods and services, forcing him to try to sell them. This is when the comedy really hits it's screwball stride.
Desperately trying to sell goods he is hawking watches and Venetian blinds while on the job and there is a veritable revolving door of potential buyers at his home...including piano players testing out the piano. To add to that, the whole town thinks he is having an affair with the lovely portrait painter and a fancy designer has not only sawed down his chair but turned his den into a funeral parlor. Insult to injury comes when he is arrested, thrown in jail and looses his job!
I love Jimmy Stewart and I am not sure I have ever seen him in a bad movie. This is a recommendation from me to fans of both Jimmy Stewart's and screwball comedies. Couple of fun highlights this film also stars Barbara Hale, James Gleason, Alan Mowbray and Fred Clark...but keep your eyes peeled for a young Natalie Wood playing Jimmy's phone living teenage daughter Phyllis.
Jimmy Stewart plays Bill Lawrence, a husband, father of two, department store manager...hoping to get a promotion, and weekly canasta player. He is just a regular guy, until he wins a radio show's contest by guessing the "mystery husband" over the phone live on the radio. His prize $24,000...only it's not really cash, it is goods and services, and as his house starts to fill up with those goods and services he discovers that the IRS doesn't care that he doesn't have the money to pay the tax on those goods and services, forcing him to try to sell them. This is when the comedy really hits it's screwball stride.
Desperately trying to sell goods he is hawking watches and Venetian blinds while on the job and there is a veritable revolving door of potential buyers at his home...including piano players testing out the piano. To add to that, the whole town thinks he is having an affair with the lovely portrait painter and a fancy designer has not only sawed down his chair but turned his den into a funeral parlor. Insult to injury comes when he is arrested, thrown in jail and looses his job!
I love Jimmy Stewart and I am not sure I have ever seen him in a bad movie. This is a recommendation from me to fans of both Jimmy Stewart's and screwball comedies. Couple of fun highlights this film also stars Barbara Hale, James Gleason, Alan Mowbray and Fred Clark...but keep your eyes peeled for a young Natalie Wood playing Jimmy's phone living teenage daughter Phyllis.