Innamorato pazzo

This script really could have used some trimming, but Powell really comes through with some truly memorable moments. I'll never get over his drag scene-I don't recall seeing many drag scenes that were ever truly so well done. I crack up every time!!!!!!! He really goes beyond the so-so script and breathes life into all his scenes. Jack Carson is a great addition as well. And Myrna, well she's just so Myrna! This movie would be nothing if weren't for her and her male co-stars performances. Its too bad that all the great moments and strong performances aren't sewn up with a tight script, but its still plenty of fun.

There are genuinely funny moments in this film; I didn't want to take my eyes off Powell and Loy for a second during the first half. The last act, however, really gets ridiculous with the psychiatrists' examination of Powell. It may have been inane just for laughs, but it seemed to escape me. Besides that, all the misunderstandings between characters, and especially the elevator scene, are prime examples of comedy that will be hard to top. It's hard to find that excellent Powell/Loy chemistry anywhere else, though their other films are of higher quality.

I'll start by saying seeing William Powell in drag is probably worth the price of admission on its own. Early on, you also have his playful repartee with Myrna Loy, in this the 10th of the 14 movies they made together. In 'Love Crazy', the happily married couple is about to celebrate its 4th anniversary, but get interrupted first by her mother-in-law (Florence Bates), and then by his old flame (Gail Patrick). In a comedy of errors, Loy thinks Powell has cheated on her, seeks a divorce, and then Powell attempts to postpone the proceedings by feigning insanity. It's fun to see Powell in various screwball moments, including getting his head stuck between elevator doors, pretending he's a teapot, and doing things like shoving round blocks into his mouth. Powell had tremendous range and carries the movie; Loy isn't bad herself, but has less to work with. The movie degenerates a bit towards the end, but it was reasonably engaging and fun to watch.

Although two of the "Thin Man" films, and "I Love You Again" usually have their fans as the best Powell-Loy romp, this one is in that select bunch. Powell never did another film with a drag scene in it - and what a scene (his fake breast slowly collapses when it is snared on a record player). The scenes with psychiatrists Vladimir Sokoloff and Sig Ruman are funny too, as are the various confrontations with mother-in-law Florence Bates (notice that business about the unwanted rug she gave them), and ...best of all... the other man in the plot - Jack Carson who is always ready to explain he is Ward Willoughby (one wonders if Rod Sterling watched this and Willoughby's eventual fate, when he created the "Twilight Zone" episode about the town of that name). I found this an absolute scream, and recommend it highly.

In watching Love Crazy I was amazed at how the film picked up in the second half. In the first half William Powell and Myrna Loy are the usual happy married couple, but through some typical movie situations, some of them very forced, they wind in divorce court.

Powell realizes that things have just gotten completely out of hand and wants to apply a break to the divorce. But Loy won't hear of it. So Powell decides to put on a crazy act because if insanity is claimed a thirty day hold is put on the proceedings.

Sad for Powell, but hilarious for the viewer the scheme succeeds all to well. The second half of the film reaches a frantic pace that comes close to something Mel Brooks might put together. Powell is first trying to prove he's insane and then very much trying to prove he's not.

Such wonderful supporting players as Florence Bates, the mother-in-law from hell, neighbors slinky Gail Patrick and slow burn Donald MacBride; blow-hard Jack Carson, a redundancy if there ever was one, Viennese psychiatrist Sig Ruman, make this Powell-Loy film a joy to watch and one of the better ones where they're not Nick and Nora Charles.

Powell does more physical type comedy in this film than in any other I've ever seen. Even more than Libeled Lady because it had only that one classic scene in the trout stream. Here Powell is engaging in all kinds of screwy behavior because he's trying to convince people he's just that. Topped off by him shaving his famous mustache and getting into drag to play his own make believe sister.

Great screwball comedy one of the best of its kind.