Here is a perfect example of a premise that has been stolen for years, yet still retains a freshness due to perfect performances and an universal tale that transcends time.
John P. Merrick (Charles Coburn, GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES) is a reclusive millionaire, who is troubled by union protests at his department store. He decides to take a job incognito in the shoe department to find out who the agitators are. Salesperson Mary Jones (Jean Arthur, MRS. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON) takes Merrick under her wing after the old man ruffles the feathers of the department’s snobby manager Hooper (Edmund Gwenn, LASSIE COME HOME). Older clerk Elizabeth Ellis (Spring Byington, MEET JOHN DOE) also takes a liking to the seemingly helpless Merrick, who appears to be too poor to buy lunch. Mary ends up taking Merrick to a union meeting led by her boyfriend, Joe O’Brien (Robert Cummings, KINGS ROW).
By now I’m sure you’ve correctly guessed that Merrick will learn what it’s really like to be a low-paid worker and learn to support the “agitators.” However, you don’t now how it all wonderfully plays out. For instance, when Merrick has his butler George (S.Z. Sakall, CASABLANCA) bring a little girl into the store and buy five pairs of shoes so he’ll look good, you know it will go woefully wrong. However, it’s how it goes awry and the perfect comedic timing of Coburn that make it funny.
It’s Coburn who is the stand out in the picture. The Oscar winning character actor plays Merrick as an agitated egotist, who has a soft spot. In this day and age, it’s hard to imagine a star like Arthur playing such a second fiddle role to Coburn. She’s the heart of the picture, but she really is just a supporting player despite having her character’s name in the title. She’s good and has the pluck that the role needs, but she is over-shadowed by Coburn. Backing up, the two stars are solid work from Byington, Gwenn and Cummings.
Director Sam Wood made a variety of films in his career, however in the comedy realm his most famous work would be the Marx Brothers’ films A NIGHT AT THE OPERA and A DAY AT THE RACES. Unlike those set piece films, this film has believable characters at its core. He’s not a flashy director, but he knows pacing and timing well. Along with writer Norman Krasna, they tell their story with great economy. Krasna sets up some really great scenarios where the audience’s understanding of the entire situation creates laugh-out-loud humor. This is a funny, inspiring film that feels as relevant today as it did when it was released over 60 years ago.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
