Just so...so bad

One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

BEDTIME STORY is an uneven comedy with screwball touches for the slapstick finale which seems like something out of a Marx Bros. comedy. Although the cast is good, the script is all over the place between comedy, drama and screwball nonsense as it tells a non-too-convincing story about a show biz couple torn between the wife's retirement and the playwright's ambitions.The manipulating role that March plays would have been perfect for a lighter comedian such as Cary Grant. March is much too saturnine in nature to be believable in a romp such as this, only occasionally giving his character a deft touch. Allyn Joslyn, on the other hand, proves himself a genius at light comedy, easily walking off with many of the film's best moments.Loretta Young acquits herself believably and well in the role of a wife who is fed up with the manipulations of her husband to get her back on the stage. Eve Arden, Robert Benchley and Helen Westley offer fine support but the end result is a formula comedy with mixed results.Fredric March, although a fine actor, is out of his element here in a role that could have seemed more likable if played by Cary Grant or Ray Milland. His wild schemes to prevent his wife from marrying another man are often on the mean-spirited side and March doesn't have the light enough touch to make his character sympathetic.

While watching this movie today, I noticed that the 'play within a play' scene that takes place is verbatim the scene in 'Theadora Goes Wild' when Irene Dunne blasts the ladies of the 'Garden Club'. I was amazed to find that none of the writers associated with the story/screenplay were credited for 'Theodora'. Loretta Young to me is always enjoyable no matter the caliber of movie in which she appears. I was disappointed in the casting of Fredric March. He always struck me as comfortable in dramatic roles but just not very good in comedic roles. He had the same uncomfortable quality in 'Nothing Sacred' and 'I Married a Witch'. Though these movies were entertaining it was the other cast members who carried the films.

Bedtime Story (1941) *** (out of 4) Delightful and often times hysterical comedy about a playwrite (Fredric March) who will stop at nothing to get his actress wife (Loretta Young) out of retirement to star in his latest play. The story might be typical for this type of comedy but the incredible cast really makes this one of the most memorable films of its type. March is downright brilliant as the obsessed writer who puts his play over his wife. March keeps his serious tone throughout the film but the way he makes it a tad bit lighter than we typically see just shows what a great actor he was. Young is also perfect in her role, which requires her to be funny and even dramatic during a few scenes. The chemistry between March and Young is wonderful and they make for a terrific duo. Robert Benchley, Allyn Joslyn and Helen Westley add great support and make the film even more funny. The film ends on a hysterical note as a riot breaks out in a motel room, which features just about everything you could imagine.

I caught this on Turner Classic Movies, at a time when most of the truly different and interesting films are shown: in the middle of the night. This movie is about as good a light comedy as you'll ever see. The writing is exceptional, keeping the pace flowing and featuring often sparkling dialog. The acting is superb. Loretta Young again shows her broad dimensions as an actress, here being sophisticated, worldly, and wise. Not the farmer's daughter. Frederic March is perfect as the actor-playwright who is constantly devising plans to persuade his wife to end her retirement and star in his new play. And the character actors are just right, especially Eve Arden. Even Robert Benchley fits in well here. The director deserved an Academy Award for his flawless control of the story. In short, this is a delightful film that adults won't want to miss. In a just world, this would out in DVD.