Just This Once

What a waste of early Janet Leigh and Peter Lawford. The film is not short on good looks, but its script is tedious. The premise has a lawyer desperately trying to reign in a spoiled trust-fund playboy's spending, and his attempts to justify himself just add to how unlikeable he is, which undermines the whole film. It was a romance I was never pulling for, but confess the moment they have on the ferry, their eyes meeting while they listen to another couple profess their undying love for one another, was a fine one. Don't come expecting a lot of comedy though. The final line was amusing but that was about it for its 91 minutes.

I was never really impressed with peter lawford, but here, he's a rich playboy Mark MacLene. he has a family trust fund, but unfortunately he spends it faster than he gets it! Janet Leigh is Lucy, the loud, pushy, ferocious advocate. Lewis Stone is the Judge, who suggests that Lucy act as trustee to MacLene, to help curtail his spending. hijinx ensue. it's a grand caper. Richard Anderson, better known as "Oscar Goldman" from Six Million Dollar Man, is in here as Tom. and Ida Moore is the landlady... we saw her in "Desk Set", in a tiny little role. Lots of talking here. this one takes a while to get going. in one scene, they are theoretically in hawaii.... but there is quite an echo when they talk. One of the first films directed by Don Weis. It's okay. with all that talking going on, it feels like this started out as a play. it's okay.

I had a very hard time watching and enjoying "Just This Once" and I am sure this film will strike some viewers the same way. This is because the leading character is so unlikable and spoiled that it's hard to care about him...and this seems like a fatal quality to have in a romantic comedy!

When the film begins, the Judge (Lewis Stone) is frustrated at Mark (Peter Lawford). After all, the Judge is in charge of the trust fund which more than amply provides for Mark...a million dollars a year. Yet despite this, he spends MUCH more and his creditors are furious. In desperation, he has a tough attorney, Lucy Duncan (Janet Leigh) appointed to oversea Mark's finances. She gives him a budget and does everything she can to stop his spending...and he responds by flying to Europe and Honolulu and spending like a mad man! Obviously he's either really, really dim or extremely arrogant and spoiled...neither of which make him an attractive or likable person. Sadly, you know that since this is a rom-com that these two completely mismatched folks will eventually fall in love...something that just makes no sense in a case like this.

So despite this major problem, is the film any good? Well, Leigh and Stone try their best but the plot difficulties are just too overwhelming to overcome. The film is slick looking and has a nice MGM look but the script is just awful...a case where I am surprised that the film was made in the first place. And, a film which makes Peter Lawford seem boorish and annoying.

I recorded this a week or two ago off of TCM and was in no particular hurry to watch it. Yesterday I felt in the mood for a romantic comedy that I'd never seen before. I love Janet Leigh and sometimes record films just to see if they're worth watching. "Just This Once" is one of those rare unexpected treats that come along occasionally and become an instant favorite.

Lawford and Leigh had terrific chemistry. Lewis Stone as the Judge and Richard Anderson as Leigh's fiancé add to a terrific supporting cast. I love how the office workers are involved in the relationship as the movie progresses.

There is a nice plot summary that gives the necessary details. However, "screen magic" is subjective and usually unexpected for me. This is one of those films that the only bad thing about is that now I've already seen it (although it will hold up well on repeat viewings for me and I'm sure for those who like to watch their favorites again and again). The other is that it's not on DVD. But I'll be keeping the recording as long as I can, and there is always hope it will be released:)

If you liked Holiday Affair, this film has a familiar ring. I wouldn't say I like it better, but I'd say I like it as well, and that one was a favorite right out of the gate for me. This is a fluffy piece of romantic comedy with a touch of screwball that is my favorite genre next to British Period Romances.

"Just This Once" moves way up my list of classic comedies as an instant favorite and unexpected treat that I'll look forward to seeing again and again.

The writers of this movie were undoubtedly familiar with the countless screwball rom-coms of the 1930's and were aiming for a similar movie.

They were probably thinking it was a surefire hit, with those glittering stars, Peter Lawford and janet Leigh. But, sadly those delightful screwball days seem to long be over.

The old-time movies brought it in fast and delightful; they told the story in a little more than an hour, and everyone (especially the audience) went home happy.

The premise of "Just This Once" has the right stuff--spendthrift handsome playboy, self-made, highly principled lawyer, who is also beautiful, scraping by on a tiny salary, plus her long-time (but unexciting) fiance who shares all her upright values.

We pretty know much know that, despite everything, the two stars Lawford and Leigh will wind up together. That's how screwball comedy works, right?

But what a long, plodding trip it is! It takes 90 minutes to wind things up and not too many laughs along the way.

Could rewrite have improved this movie--or, sadly, is the screwball comedy dead and buried? We hope not--but the magic just isn't here, despite the star power.