Easy Living

Victor Mature plays the star quarterback of the Rams and he's on top of the world. Unfortunately, after feeling some twinges, his doctor discovers Vic has a heart defect and might easily die if he continues playing. Well, at first it's a no-brainer, as he plans on retiring and taking up coaching. Unfortunately, these plans are put on hold when he tries to tell his selfish shrew of a wife (Lizabeth Scott) about this. She makes it VERY clear that she loves him because of all the money and glory he gets from football AND if he were to quit, she might just walk! Nice lady, huh?! Lucille Ball plays a supporting role as a nice lady who deeply cares for Vic and is just waiting in case the marriage fizzles. However, how all this marital discord is finally solved is amazing and could NEVER be done in films today, as Vic finally gets sick of Lizabeth's petulant ways and slaps her silly--saying to either shut up and stay or walk!!! This is a small picture with a modest cast and budget, but I have really enjoyed watching it repeatedly. Part of it is because there are few films about pro football (especially when this one was made) and because as I watch the big climax scene between Victor Mature and Lizabeth Scott, I love to imagine the horror on many viewers faces as they see Vic slap his awful wife right in the face! Believe me, most viewers will probably LIKE seeing this, as she's one of the most selfish and awful wives in film history. Now I am NOT recommending men slug their wives, but in this age of extreme political correctness, I occasionally like to see a film that is sure to offend a lot of high-strung viewers! If you take out this possibly offensive scene, it's still a dandy movie--well worth a look. An interesting story and one of Mature's better films.

1949 sleeper from RKO. At that early date pro football was still in its infancy. Thus a movie dealing with the subject must have seemed like a piece of exotica and I doubt the production made any money. Sixty years later, however, the Charles Schnee script and Jaques Tourneur direction stand as a perceptive glimpse into pro-sports at the high end, as valid now as then and definitely ahead of its time.

Star quarterback Victor Mature is a regular guy, but is drawn into the fast lane by ambitious wife Liz Scott. She's all glamor and ego, eager to hang on to her headline husband. The scenes of urban highlife and sophistication are particularly well done-- the penthouses and sleekly groomed sharks swimming around eyeing new prey. Vic's uncomfortable and senses glamorous snares, but Liz sees only social climbing opportunity, while souless, silver fox Art Baker is only too happy to oblige. In a word she strays.

On the other hand, good guy Sonny Tufts (in a tailor made part) and salt-of-the-earth wife Jeff Donnell represent the other side of Mature-- his down-to-earth side. He's drawn in both directions, and it's this conflict that sets the dramatic stage. Will he hang on to Liz and the easy life or settle for a meagre coaching job with pal Tufts. He'll have to decide because the old ticker has become a problem. In short, he's facing a crisis of values.

One scene really worth noting. The team has cut journeyman lineman Gordon Jones. He's the kind of player who eats dirt every week so the quarterback can look good. Behind him are a thousand more grunts waiting to take his place. Now he wants a piece of a tavern and a place to hang his jersey and maybe a little dignity for all the pain. Watch his quick, knowing reactions to the snobbish Liz as she ignores this "loser". What a great line when he refuses the ride next to her, saying, "The subway's good enough for me". It's a whole little morality play summed up in a few seconds.

Unfortunately the film shows its period with an unsatisfactory Hollywood ending consistent with the conventions of the day, and enough to make modern-day feminists apoplectic. Then too, the Lucille Ball role seems overdrawn and unnecessary. Nonetheless, the supporting cast is outstanding, blending easily into a smoothly executed production that again demonstrates the industry's polished level of professionalism. Definitely deserves a second look.

Victor Mature, dour as always, is a pro football player. He ought to have hung it up long ago, and he knows it. He is married to Lizabeth Scott. Scott is very ambitious. Of course, today her ambition would seem quite logical. In 1949, it was still a little unusual for a woman not to be content with hubby's income and prestige.

These two are an odd pair. That's an aside, having little to do with whether or not the movie works -- and I do think it does.

Lloyd Nolan is excellent as the coach. Lucille Ball gives a subdued performance as his secretary.

Almost no one in this movie has what or who he or she wants. A gloom hangs over it.

Jacques Tourneur was an excellent director. This isn't his best. But I have a feeling it was a bit of a challenge for him -- a very all-American setting and plot. And he brings it off beautifully.

It is difficult to determine where this story is set -- period. The sports team in "Easy Living" is the Chiefs, the helmets worn by this teams are those of the Rams, but yet this team (and ultimately, this story) is based in New York City.

Well, the Kansas City Chiefs began as the Dallas Texans and never existed as a franchise in New York City. The St. Louis Rams, and their iconic ram horn helmet design, has only been seen in three markets, Cleveland, Los Angeles and St. Louis. Again, a club that was never in New York City.

It is also more than odd that the main character, a quarterback, wears number 66, not a customary number for a quarterback to wear. But, it is this lack of accurate detailing that reveals a project mired in vagaries.

These type of historical inaccuracies reveal a more deep-seated lack of focus from this film. Despite its promise, Easy Living just lacks any type of focus. The plot slides around seemingly unsure of where it wants to go or needs to go. primarily, the essential points in the plot development are buried behind a lot of pointless distractions...and characters.

This perpetually 'out-of-focus' plot is enhanced by dialog which is trite, and contrived. It seems the writers of this screenplay were hellbent on being melodramatic and vague.

The movie seems to starts somewhere in the middle. Unfortunately, Easy Living runs like a stage play that is missing too many essential scenes, not just the beginning!

EASY LIVING takes you back to major league football circa 1949 and focuses on a star performer just before and after his career tops out. The direction is first rate and all the actors deliver top performances --- particularly Victor Mature, Lizabeth Scott, Lloyd Nolan and Lucille Ball. Lucy didn't always play comedy; no comedy in this one. On location filming --- a common asset to RKO Radio pictures --- adds a lot to this one. This Irwin Shaw drama doesn't have much football in it, but instead focuses on the lives of the people involved in sports.

First seen in 1949 at age 11, I looked for it again at Video Vault. It was issued in VHS so you can buy it or rent it if you look. Incidentally, RKO pictures weren't usually big hits 50 years ago but are sought after these days for their grit and on location filming. Savvy sellers in eBay include RKO in their headline.

Final comment: Unlike 2007's major hits like Pirates #3 and Potter #5, this film has an actual story, beginning, middle, end ---not relying on an overpowering musical score to sugarcoat junk. It's apt to appeal to grown-ups --- actually 11 and up.