It Grows on Trees

This silly film is worth seeing for Irene Dunne devotees only -- and barely so. It's a triple stinker with a bad script, sub-par production values and the two stars -- Dunne and Jagger -- have ZERO chemistry. Did they really made children together? Doubtful. And what the heck did Dunne do to squirrel up her voice? It's shrill and jacked up higher than usual and her over-emphasis of the consonant "R" quickly wore out its welcome.

The only saving grace is the film's ending. The last minute of the film is the best minute of the whole thing. It was completely unexpected and perfectly executed. Still, it can't make up for the drudgery that came before.

I still think back to this film and how delightful it was.

A common American housewife (Dunne) finds two trees that grow money in a yard sale, I believe my brother and sister said.

I erroneously believed the woman was Gracie Allen. Later I would learn it was Dunne.

Wonderful what became of the money, Dunne's husband, the nosy neighbor, everything.

I wish I remembered Richard Crenna in this, but I do remember the ending very well; what became of the money trees and then the overall ending of the film.

I had read once that Dunne regretted making this movie and it is surprising to see it was her final film as well.

She may not have liked it, but we sure did.

This movie is not among her best; however, as most commentators agree, it is a delightful comedy. The device of money growing on trees is, indeed, a verbal cliché. But adapting that cliché to cinema seems highly creative to me. How many films have you seen with similar grounds for a modern cinematic fable? For that matter, how many other modern fables have the movies produced?

The device also leads to some unexpected consequences. It sets up several unforeseen complications and conflicts. It is used to contrast various characters' attitudes toward "easy money." And, it provides a vehicle for poking gentle fun at government. It has a little more satirical slant than other reviewers seem to suggest. I think that there is a little more here than meets the eye. Cliché may be the starting point of this movie, but after that the tale is surprising, original, clever and highly entertaining - with a light touch of satire and commentary on human nature.

Oh yeah, this movie also provides some very fun and likable characters. The ensemble cast delivers very good performances to sustain interest in this fable at a high level. Irene Dunne, as always, is a complete delight. Dean Jagger delivers a performance that I really enjoyed watching. How many leading roles did he play in light comedies?

I recommend this clever little comedy.

Irene Dunne finished her illustrious career with this so-so movie. She should have gone out with a bang, being the classy actress she was, not in this unmemorable, almost unknown film.

This lightweight comedy is okay, but nothing special. The first half of it is far better as it gets pretty stupid in the second half. Maybe Irene could see the handwriting on the wall and quit. Even her high-pitched voice got a bit annoying in here. Rumor has it she was not happy with this film. One can see why.

The story reminded me of a 1950s television sitcom. Speaking of that, I thought David Nelson from the Ozzie & Harriet TV show was in this movie but it turned out to be a very young Richard Crenna. He looked and sounded just like Nelson.

Overall, so-so at best and a sub-par ending for a great actress.

Irene Dunne is irrepressible as a housewife who grows a money tree in her yard. Dunne truly is the show but gets plenty of able support. Dean Jagger is appropriately befuddle as her stuffy husband who finds himself fighting a moral dilemma all by himself. Richard Crenna is marvelous in a key supporting role. Not much substance, but an engaging way to kill an hour and a half.