The Milkman

I've watched a lot of O'Connor's earlier films, mostly the Peggy Ryan films, and while those are nice films, this comedy tops them. This movie has the perfect balance of slapstick comedy, suspense, and romance. It's fast paced but easy to follow, and it has a proper climax that ties up the loose ends very nicely. O'Connor and Durante play off each other beautifully, and their number "That's My Boy" showcased a small portion of O'Connor's rap abilities (although not like Singing in the Rain). I legitimately laughed out loud when O'Connor began his quaking too! Only problem was the parking of Durante and Joyce Holden, that age difference was a little creepy personally. But that's a very small part of the movie and doesn't ruin the fun at all.

I thought this movie was very entertaining. The music alone made it one of my all time favorites. I wish it would be released on DVD. I think that Donald O'Conner and Jimmy Durante played off of each other very well. It always took me back to a simpler time and place to that perfect world we all wished we lived in.If your looking for a movie that takes you to a place that sums up 1950's milk and cookies life style this is it. I seen this movie when I was about twelve and have always tried to watch it when ever it came on. I had the movie taped on VHS for a long time and let it go thinking it would be released on DVD in the near future.If your looking for a family movie that is entertaining and fun this is it.

Roger Bradley (Donald O'Connor) is the heir to a milk empire. All he wants is to be a milkman, but his father keeps preventing him from any real work. He is still suffering mentally from the war. He runs into Breezy Albright (Jimmy Durante) who used to work for his father and is now a milkman for a rival company. He joins Breezy and falls for the bosses' daughter Chris Abbott (Piper Laurie). I like the concept and I like Donald O'Connor in this. Jimmy Durante adds comedic goodness. The romance could do a bit more although it has some good sections. There is good slapstick and good heart. It's fun.

Donald O'Connor and Jimmy Durante star in this musical comedy concerning an ambitious milkman and his mentor. Universal was a good studio for O'Connor. They recognized his gifts for comedy, especially physical comedy, and gave him lots of opportunities to show his stuff. This is one of his last films before he moved on to bigger budget projects. However, it is in these budget minded Universal comedies that O'Connor really shines. Giving him Durante as his mentor adds to the comic possibilities. Durante was one of the most lovable comedians and this film gives him plenty of time to sing, strut, and do the kind of shtick he is most associated with. Piper Laurie, in a very early role, is a fine leading lady for O'Connor. She stays out of his way, which cannot be said for former leading lady Peggy Ryan. Jerry Lewis makes a very brief appearance as a milkman. For fans of low comedy hi-jinks, this film is a must see.

Donald O'Connor suffered shell shock during the Second World War. Five years later he still quacks under pressure (get it?) when the plot calls for it. As a result, his father, Henry O'Neill has kept him on perpetual holiday. But O'Connor thinks he's recovered. So when his father refuses to let him go to work for his company, old pal Jimmy Durante gets him a job as a milkman with Paul Harvey's dairy; O'Neill and Harvey had been partners but quarreled about 25 years ago. There O'Connor and Piper Laurie make nice with each other, while O'Connor fouls up and is bailed out, until the plot of the movie starts, which has Jess Carter, who's the manager of Harvey's company, steal the necklace of his aunt, Elizabeth Risdon, to pay off gambling debts to William Conrad. There's also a Great Dane which belongs to Miss Laurie, and Durante has tricked out his truck to respond to whistling. These will vanish, except when the writers have decreed they must be present for plot issues, like O'Connor's quacking, and the chase that concludes all comedies, so mote it be.

In short, it's one of those overwritten comedies in which very little happens but one of the five writers -- none of whose names is familiar to me -- pulled a gag from a file and stuck it in place. Miss Laurie is very cute in her second movie. Durante gets a solo song, O'Connor gets a solo song and dance, and they have a duet or two. Everyone collects a paycheck and moves on to the next movie.