Turnabout

A mystical bust of a turbaned god gives a bickering, unsatisfied married couple exactly what they want: they switch bodies...but unfortunately not voices, which means the husband--who is one-third of a partnership in a big city advertising firm--talks like a girl and prances around his office complete with pocketbook! Very early entry in the body-switching genre is much fresher than some of the similar comedies which followed years later; the film doesn't have an esteemed reputation, so it's difficult to imagine that it influenced other pictures, but surely this was the starting point (or close to it). There are some very fast, very funny lines, quick and efficient gags, bright performers--however the first thirty minutes (a straight satire on big business before the 'magical' troubles begin) is just fine all by itself. The body-switching ploy pretty much comes out of nowhere and sticks out as a gimmick, when actually the movie was progressing very well without it. **1/2 from ****

Bickering husband and wife (John Hubbard, Carole Landis) have their minds switched thanks to a magic statue they call Mr. Ram. Landis is gorgeous, funny, and the primary reason to recommend this movie. Hubbard is OK but nothing special. The supporting cast includes Donald Meek, William Gargan, Franklin Pangborn, and Marjorie Main. Solid supporting actors all. Mary Astor appears in a wasted role as a friend of Landis' before The Maltese Falcon would reinvigorate her career the following year. Adolphe Menjou is annoying as a partner in the husband's ad agency. His entire role in the movie is yelling at various people. It gets old fast.

The madcap stuff doesn't really get underway until about midway through. The first 35-40 minutes is mostly setup, establishing these two characters' personalities and relationships. This probably could have been trimmed down to 10-15 minutes and I believe it would have helped the movie considerably. Everything involving the dog and then the bear was completely irrelevant and seemed to be tacked on because someone thought "Hey! Animals are funny. Let's do that." The first half is a slog to get through but the second half is lots of fun. I saw it years ago and didn't like it but just saw it for a second time and came away with a more favorable opinion. It's a very unique and risqué film for 1940. Carole Landis fans will love it most. It's probably her best role.

"Turnabout" is a moderately amusing comedy whose central premise — a husband and wife are supernaturally put inside each other's bodies and she has to negotiate his work world while he has to endure the boredom of stay-at-home wifehood — could have been the basis for a much better movie than we have. Producer-director Hal Roach had previously used the gimmick in a much funnier two-reeler starring Charley Chase, "Okay, Toots!," in 1935, and he got the plot of "Turnabout" from a novel by Thorne Smith, whose "Topper" stories had previously made him a lot of money. Though hampered by a low-voltage cast (the actors playing the couple, Carole Landis and John Hubbard, meant so little in 1940 Adolphe Menjou, in the supporting role of the husband's business partner, got top billing) and the fact that the movie is already almost half over before the actual turnabout occurs, it's still a nicely amusing comedy from a bunch of professionals who knew how to make people laugh — but imagine how good it could have been with the "Topper" stars, Constance Bennett and Cary Grant, in the leads!

Turnabout is the story of a married couple who bickers more than anyone you've ever seen. Mr. Willows (John Hubbard) and Mrs. Willows (Carole Landis) lead separate lives, and come home to fight about it. Mr. Willows is a partner for an advertising company and Mrs. Willows gossips and plays bridge with the other partners' wives. But there is one thing they can agree upon; they would love to switch lives with each other. A mysterious statue in their bedroom grants their request, and off he goes in a dress and off she goes prancing around in a suit. To say that their acquaintances are surprised would be an understatement and hilarity ensues.

Also appearing are famous names like Adolphe Menjou, Mary Astor, Inez Courtney, and Marjorie Main.

Stories like this are always entertaining, and when comedies are made on the Hal Roach lot, you're bound for success. This little known gem holds plenty of laughs, but it also abounds with a lightheartedness that can cheer anyone up on a bad day.

Although Adolphe Menjou is billed first, the "Turnabout" stars are John Hubbard (as Tim, then Sally) and Carole Landis (as Sally, then Tim); they play a bickering couple who are granted a wish: they switch bodies! There are some stereotypes evident, but this is a surprisingly well-done comedy from the time period. Possibly, the most "offensive" bit is not the gender role playing, but the repeated bit involving Mr. Menjou and the water fountain. Donald Meek (as Henry) and Marjorie Main (as Nora) are delightful as servants to the gender-bending couple. Mr. Hubbard and Ms. Landis are funny and believable. The ending is a trifle weak; but, "Turnabout" is an enjoyable surprise.

****** Turnabout (1940) Hal Roach ~ John Hubbard, Carole Landis, Adolphe Menjou