Cómo está la servidumbre

Due to the ongoing World War II, wealthy executive Alan Hale (as Walter Whirtle) is having a difficult time finding servants. With no chauffeur, he drives to town recklessly, and is thrown in jail. There, Mr. Hale meets private detective Jack Carson (as Gerald "Jerry" Curtis), who bungled his latest case by arresting the district attorney. Hale tells Mr. Carson he can look for Nazis on his estate, while posing as a butler. Carson agrees to assume the position, and brings along long-time fiancée Jane Wyman (as Susan Courtney) to serve as cook. Carson has trouble recognizing the Nazis, and Ms. Wyman can't cook a shaved duck.

"Make Your Own Bed" refers to the fact that Carson and Wyman have a long-time, but platonic relationship; and, things get uncomfortably funny for the pair while posing as husband and wife. They handle the matter with immature comedy. The cast and crew might have considered adapting this material a chore. Still, everyone puts in an effort. And, Hale excels.

***** Make Your Own Bed (5/26/44) Peter Godfrey ~ Jack Carson, Jane Wyman, Alan Hale, Irene Manning

Good comedians like Jack Carson, Jane Wyman and Alan Hale make this little film funny for those who don't demand high art. Would-be detective Carson, and girlfriend, Wyman take on jobs as domestics to a wealthy businessman (Hale). The fact that it's World War II, and servants are supposedly hard to get, is the meat of the story line. Wyman can't begin to cook a decent meal,

and Carson is worthless as a man servant. Despite this, the desperate Hale won't fire them -- lousy help is better than no help. Eventually, bumbling detective Carson, finds out that Nazi spies are house guests, and despite almost getting Hale and Wyman killed, captures them. This film is funny, and that's enough for me.

Uneven comedy that benefits from Jack Carson's mugging skills but that's about all. The plot's darn near incomprehensible in its three main threads. The comedic thread where Carson and Wyman take on servant's duties they're totally unprepared for is promising. The second thread about his detective work is okay. But the third, about supposedly pseudo-Nazis is a gesture to the time and very poorly managed.

Overall, the comedy's left mainly to Carson and not the movie itself. Then too, director Godfrey doesn't seem very engaged, as though the script and Carson should be enough. Check out director Alan Dwan's thematically similar Getting Gertie's Garter (1945) for an edifying contrast. Nonetheless, there are some amusing bits— the bed bouncing test that's also innuendo, Carson and Wyman preparing the world's worst fancy meal, and Carson showering in the girl's quarters where towels magically appear. Too bad Carson's largely forgotten. He was a fine all around actor, as adept at drama as he was at comedy. The movie, however, is far from his best.

Exactly the sort of breezy, silly movie I love to watch when I just don't want to think about worries, problems - anything!! Jack Carson is hilarious!

Funny guys Jack Carson and Alan Hale SENIOR ! every black and white film in the 1940s, 1950s had at least one of them, sometimes both of them. This one has the silliest, convoluted plot... it's 1944, so deep in WW II, so everyone is on the lookout for spies. For job security, Whirtle (Hale) hires on Jerry and Susan (Carson and Jane Wyman) as household help. but.. they aren't really married, and we're still way in the film code, so they shouldn't be sleeping in the same room, much less the same bed. this takes up a lot of the story... the bedroom caper, as they try to figure out the sleeping logistics. are there really spies running around? maybe. maybe not. it's a fun, silly script, but they needed some fun during dark wartime. some fun sight gags. and George Tobias, character actor for YEARS, before he ended up as Abner, the next door neighbor on Bewitched. this one is very well done. not many people could turn a spy thriller into a bedroom farce and keep it fun. why such low rating on imdb?? directed by brit Peter Godfrey. worked with some great stars, made some great films.