The plot for this film may not have been an old one in 1938, but by the late 20th century it was certainly worn out. A would-be author is struggling to write a great novel. In various renditions, the author is a man or a woman, single or married. This is the classic version with the guy on the typewriter and the wife earning their keep.
"Thanks for the Memory" is old hat for such a theme; and but for the music and the substantial cast, it wouldn't amount to much. The story itself is very little more than the plot already mentioned, but it has a couple of unusual twists that don't help it. The first is that for a struggling writer and spouse, Steve and Anne Merrick live in a very nice apartment, with very nice furnishings. And it's THE party place for scads of regular friends and drop-ins from who knows where So, where do they get the money to finance such a lifestyle? This happens nearly every night.
Bob Hope and Shirley Ross sing the title tune that they first sang just months before this in "The Big Broadcast of 1938." Here' it's a duet they sing warmly as a couple in love. By the next year, Hope would adopt it as his theme song for the rest of his life. That song and the considerable cast are what earn this film my seven stars. Those folks include Hedda Hopper, Otto Kruger, Charles Butterworth, Roscoe Karns, Eddie (Rochester) Anderson, Edward Gargan and more.
The constant drop-in of party folks and wandering drunks gets tedious very fast, and all of the partying takes up much of the film's time. The comedy is just fair. One can guess how the film will end. Most younger audiences in the 21st century would find this film too slow and probably boring. Fans of older films and those who like the music of the period would probably still enjoy this film.
Here are some of the best lines of the film.
Gil Morrell, "By the way, I don't believe I've congratulated you." Steve Merrick, "Oh, you mean my novel?" Morrell, "No, I mean your wife. A lot of fellas can write, but few men can get a girl like Anne. I outta know - she almost married me." Steve, "Yeah, I know. Anne and I have laughed about that lots of times."
Steve Merrick, "Uh, do you write novels?" Taxi Driver, "Not me. I work for a living."
Anne Merrick, "Oh, Steve, you're wonderful." Steve Merrick, "I know it."
