Critic's Choice

New York theater critic Parker Ballantine (Bob Hope) is married to wannabe playwright Angela (Lucille Ball). They live with his son John from his previous marriage to flighty actress Ivy London (Marilyn Maxwell). Angie is writing a play about her family and he's rather dismissive. According to him, she doesn't finish anything. She actually finishes and Dion Kapakos (Rip Torn) is directing it.

It's interesting that his second wife is more age appropriate than the first wife. I would expect it to be the opposite. A switch would make them fit the stereotypes, but it would also deprive the movie of the Hope Ball pairing. I'll take the pairing over the stereotyping. Their stardoms have faded from their pinnacles, but they still have plenty of star power. As a comedy, this is lacking especially considering the two legends involved. It's more a drama than a comedy. At least, it's better as a drama than a comedy. Bob Hope does his comedic mugging and it's not that funny. There is potential with the marital conflict. It works, but I would like more from Ball. This is very much his movie instead of their movie. This was sold as a comedy. It tries to be a comedy. They should have concentrated more on the drama.