The Mating of Millie

Pleasant romantic comedy stars the beautiful and charming Evelyn Keyes as a businesswoman who wants to adopt the son of a recently deceased neighbor. But to do this she needs a husband. Her first choice is Glenn Ford, but he's not the marrying kind. So he agrees to help her find a mate. You can pretty much guess where it's going to go from here but there are some funny and touching moments along the way. Keyes is terrific and we get some early Ford here, showing some of his lighter side. Later on he would become typecast as a gruff serious type in his western and film noir roles. He was excellent in those but it's nice to see some of his range here.

One scene I want to talk about in particular. It's a cute bit where Ford sneaks a peek through Keyes' diary, only to find it's all blank. He then breaks the fourth wall by looking at the camera and saying "nothing ever happened to her." It's a funny scene and a different type of comedy than the rest of the movie, which is more traditional. One has to wonder if they had thrown in more novelties like that if the movie would be more well-remembered today.

A simple story admirable presented. A young woman, married with her job, a bus driver at the end of his patience, a kid changing their life and a noble cause served by many small events. The basic virtue of film - to give all the flavors of old fashion cinema, from the smart construction of story to the delicate humor and romance . Short, delightful.

It's like "Auntie Mame" (1958), if Mame were a straightlaced business woman instead of a partier. It's like Mame with less comedy and more schmaltz.

F "Auntie Mame" were a black and white film, in which Mame was required to find a husband and be a career woman before Patrick could come live with her, this would be it. And I love "Auntie Mame", so naturally I like this.

Best part: the Alaska synchronicity, which shows destiny is always at work in our lives, even when we think it's just us.

Worst part: that weird kiss thing the kid does! Just a simple peck on the check would have sufficed- little guy!

Overall though, good movie!

In this likable movie yes: He is. And also cast against type is the title character. Evelyn Keyes wrote one of the very first racy autobiographies and was married numerous times, to exciting men. Yet here she is a stern businesswoman. And her nickname is Butch! The title itself sounds like the title of a monograph my for an animal husbandry course. It couldn't be less romantic. Indeed, Millie's reason for wanting to be -- well, mated is originally not romantic at all. She wants to adopt a neighbor's child.

She thinks Ford would be a good husband, which she learns she must have. But she finds two other suitors. They seem quite unlikely, as cast.

The movie is fun and stylish. Keyes is fitted out in the most unrevealing clothes imaginable. This is true even when she is glamorized. They're pretty but look like slimmed-down versions of clothing Margaret Dumont might have worn.

This is a lovely gem of a romantic comedy. Glenn Ford and Evelyn Keyes play well off each other and the plot gives enough twists. Mr. Ford has quite a way with comedy, one of which involves breaking the 4th wall. Can see why the scriptwriters were nominated for a Writers' Guild of America award. The story is deftly penned with the right touches of humor! A 10!