This is the worst Errol Flynn film I have seen...and I say that as someone who generally likes Flynn.
Many films have, as their premise, a misunderstanding between 2 people in love. Okay, that's fine. But to pile one misunderstanding on top of another and another is too much. For example, the segment in the restaurant where his ex-wife and girl friend are both there would have, perhaps, been a bit funny if it had been half as long. Instead, it went on and on and on and on. As did another misunderstanding when there are 2 Santa Clauses. On and on and on, way beyond being funny.
The other thing I very much disliked in this film was the performance by Eleanor Parker, particularly in the early part of the film. There is such a thing as over-acting, and she demonstrates it here. I was surprised because I have always felt that she was an underrated actress.
Errol Flynn's acting here is reasonably good...just not the situations they put him in. One bit of cleverness are a number of times when there are vague and fairly clever references to Flynn as he appeared in his older films.
Lucile Watson is good as Parker's mother (seems like it was a role she often played). S. Z. Sakall is here...playing S. Z. Sakall; he never changed. Forrest Tucker has a role that is a bit unusual for him. A supporting actor we didn't see enough of -- Tom D'Andrea -- has a small role here. And Hattie McDaniel appears as -- what else -- a maid; but as always she shined.
I really thought I would like this film, but no. This was a poor film.
Many films have, as their premise, a misunderstanding between 2 people in love. Okay, that's fine. But to pile one misunderstanding on top of another and another is too much. For example, the segment in the restaurant where his ex-wife and girl friend are both there would have, perhaps, been a bit funny if it had been half as long. Instead, it went on and on and on and on. As did another misunderstanding when there are 2 Santa Clauses. On and on and on, way beyond being funny.
The other thing I very much disliked in this film was the performance by Eleanor Parker, particularly in the early part of the film. There is such a thing as over-acting, and she demonstrates it here. I was surprised because I have always felt that she was an underrated actress.
Errol Flynn's acting here is reasonably good...just not the situations they put him in. One bit of cleverness are a number of times when there are vague and fairly clever references to Flynn as he appeared in his older films.
Lucile Watson is good as Parker's mother (seems like it was a role she often played). S. Z. Sakall is here...playing S. Z. Sakall; he never changed. Forrest Tucker has a role that is a bit unusual for him. A supporting actor we didn't see enough of -- Tom D'Andrea -- has a small role here. And Hattie McDaniel appears as -- what else -- a maid; but as always she shined.
I really thought I would like this film, but no. This was a poor film.