Synopsis
Andy Crewson (Cary Grant) seems to live for nothing by parties and women. He’s certainlyhad his fill of the horrors of war. Finagling a four-day pass, he and his friends hit San Francisco.There the officer who is charged with keeping track of these hellraisers (Werner Klemperer, laterto be Colonel Klink in Hogan’s Heroes and cutting a odd figure as an American officerwith a noticeable German accent) tries to get the trio to be anti-absenteeism spokesmen for ai…dustrial tycoon. Grant wants nothing to do with this, but does fall for the tycoon’s fiancee (SusyParker).
You will note, perhaps, that my summary differs with the one provided on the case. Thatclaims that Grant romances the daughter of the tycoon, and that she’s played by JayneMansfield. Thankfully, this is not the case. (Who would we cast for the remake: George Clooneyand Anna Nicole Smith?) Mansfield, though second-billed, has a mercifully small role (thoughshe grates with every second of her screen time) as a young woman who feels it is her duty tosleep with servicemen. Though directed by Stanley Donen (who gave us Charade) andscripted by Julius (Casablanca) Epstein, the film is a meandering mess, taking foreverto get no place very interesting. Based partly on a play, the film seems to have held on to somemisplaced theatrical conventions: the actors are all projecting to the back of the hall.Tiresome.
Audio
2.0 sound, and the result is passable, but a mono track would have been a good idea too.There are some decent sound effects, but not all of them are well placed when it comes to frontor rear speakers. There isn’t as much by way of surround dialogue as there often is with audiotracks of this sort, but it is present, and there is a consistently strange detachment of the dialogue(not to mention frequent distortion). It feels as if we are painfully aware of every moment wherethe dialogue was looped instead of recorded on set.
Video
The picture is a solid 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. The colours are good (thoughthe opening shots are a bit murky), and the blacks and flesh tones are fine. There is no speckling,and the grain and edge enhancement are minimal. The print is in very good shape.
Special Features
Minimal. You have the theatrical trailer, the teaser, a behind-the-scenes still gallery, andtrailers for other Cary Grant movies: An Affair to Remember, I Was a Male WarBride, Monkey Business, and People Will Talk. The menu is basic.
Closing Thoughts
The movie wants to be both funny and cynical, but falls short in both departments. Everyoneinvolved has made better movies. See them instead.
Special Features List
- Theatrical Trailers
- Teaser
- Still Gallery
