Confidentially Connie

This picture had some great stuff going for it, based on a story by Max Shulman and Herman Wouk and a screenplay by Shulman and a load of great character actors as backup. Sadly it fails because of bad casting. This is a vehicle that was made for wisecracking actors like Jack Carson and Eve Arden. With the Shulman one liners coming a mile a minute Van Johnson and Janet Leigh just seem to dodge out of the way rather than play into the witty remarks. The lazy direction by Edward Buzzell doesn't help either. And it's not like there's anything the matter with the performances, just the use of the wrong talent on material better suited to actors with a Powell/Loy characterization. Come to think of it, this was in 53 and Powell and Loy were still under contract to MGM. That might have been a fitting farewell to the Nick and Nora team.

This unusual comedy is definitely anchored in the fifties. As a result, some present-day viewers may have difficulty relating to the customs and values of the time. For example, pregnant women smoked, though there was an undercurrent of belief that it might be harmful.

The story is about a couple who struggles financially on the earnings of the husband, Joe (Van Johnson), who is a teacher. The wife, Connie (Janet Leigh), wishes she could serve beef for dinner-in part, because it would be healthier for her pregnancy-but she must constantly serve fish, which is less expensive. When Joe's father drops in for a visit from his Texas beef ranch, to convince his son to return to the ranch, he meddles. And the price of beef becomes a major plot point.

Despite the fact that the story feels like a collaboration between the teachers' union and the American beef industry, this is a well-written film with good production values and good acting. And it is entertaining.

Why the title? I have no idea.

This is a comedy that is hilariously nutso bad. Van Johnson is Joe Bedloe, a teacher in a small New England college. He's perfectly happy instilling a new generation of American students with an appreciation for the writing of William Shakespeare. His wife Connie, portrayed by Janet Leigh, is expecting their first child and they live in a cute little two-story house. But being a professional intellectual doesn't provide enough money to keep the family table filled with plates of meat. "Haven't seen a rib roast since 1948." The town butcher Emil Spangenberg, played by Walter Slezak, prescribes a dietary regimen for the mother-to-be: "Meat. So I'd have a strong, healthy baby." In this town of meat hungry carnivores, populated by meat junkies, the butcher's role is tantamount to the one provided today by dispensers of medical marijuana.

De-toxing from the red meat craving by going cold turkey is to be avoided at all costs. That's where Joe's father Opie Bedloe comes into the picture. He's of all things a prosperous Texas cattle baron! When he comes to visit the couple he is horrified to learn that his son is such a poor family provider. It's not that this husband can't provide his wife with jewels and furs and lavish vacations. His beef is that Professor Joe can't shower the woman with…beef!

Cultural satire when well done can be a great comedic look at society. When done in this movie it is a ham handed misfire, a plate of baloney adulterated by coy whimsy and artificial ingredients.

I give this a 2 in recognition of what I interpret as scriptwriter's Max Shulman's mockery of the American mindset of entitlement to all the consumer bounties of life. Hip, hip, hooray! It's the American Way!

Van johnson, janet leigh. Gene AND kathleen lockhart! Joe and connie are expecting a baby. He's a teacher, not making so much, but that's okay with connie. But now that there's a baby on the way, she suddenly decides joe should go back and work on the family farm, for the money. Apparently, in those days, there was good money in farming! Will joe's dad help him get a promotion at the school, or will he sabotage joe's chances, just to get him to come work on the ranch? It's okay.... directed by ed buzzell. Had made two films with the marx brothers! And two with van johnson. An early-ish role for leigh, eight years before psycho.

Connie Bedloe (Janet Leigh) is pregnant, and her husband Joe (Van Johnson) has low-paying college teaching job. He fails utterly to suck up to the Dean. His father Opie (Louis Calhern) comes for a visit. He's a big Texas cattleman and he's trying to recruit Joe back to the family ranch. Connie agrees with him until he claims that teaching is woman's work.

Brought to you by the teachers union and the meat lobby. This is a bit of fun but also a bit weird. These people will need to eat some salads or else. As long as one does not take this seriously, it's okay sitcom silliness.