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CRITICA EN EL PERIÓDICO "LA VANGUARDIA" (23-9-1951)
Situada exactamente en el punto entremedio de la trayectoria creativa que acostumbra seguir el cine americano en sus comedias mas típicas, esta película se ciñe fielmente a las leyes inconmovibles del género, y pespunteando la anécdota de situaciones graciosas, de mucho sentido cinematográfico, de momentos primorosamente preparados, repite en lo esencial y en buena parte de lo accesorio los elementos humanos y ambientales conocidos a través de varias producciones análogas. La novedad de "Que vida Esta" es algo, pues, muy relativo; sin embargo es oportuno concretar que la ambición más caramente defiende la película va a un milímetro más allá de un laudable propósito de entretener, y dado que lo consigue con frecuencia, entendemos que era el de la diversión, pueden ser disculpadas las fisuras que aparecen de vez en vez, sobre todo en lo que se refiere al ritmo desigual de la cinta, una vivaz y alegre otra lenta y discreta, empeñado en dilatar una historieta entre sentimental y cómica que no permite demasiados artificios y circunloquios. transcurre la acción del filme en un desvencijado rancho americano, al que va a parar una distinguida compositora de música moderna, casada con un sencillo y a las veces rudo vaquero. Los tremendos conflictos caseros que debe resolver la improvisada "cow-girl", y la expresión incrementada súbitamente su familia con dos hijas del anterior matrimonio de su esposo, constituyen el punto de partida y la justificación de toda la película. Como podrá observar el lector, existen precedentes concretos de este asunto comediografico tan del gusto del cine americano. No obstante, ello no impide para que "Que vida Esta" disponga de resortes hilarantes de eficacia y ofrezca varios atractivos, entre ellos, una interpretación muy graciosa de Irene Dunne, que triunfa valerosamente de un papel al margen de sus habituales interpretaciones, acompañada de Fred Mac Murray, de Andy Devine "ambos sin moverse ni un ápice de sus maneras peculiares" y de ese par de chiquillas que son Natalie Wood y Gigi Perreau. H. S. G.
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Just a Good Movie
This movie featured Irenne Dunne city slicking wife who marries a widower rancher. She and her husband (Fred McMurray)are just a fun couple who have many funny incidents that happen as a married couple. This movie is reminiscent of The Egg and I that Dunne is featured in during the 1940s. Although some say this movie is not very good for Dunne and that it is predictable-- it is funny, innocent, and a great movie for a Sunday afternoon with the family. My family and I have watched copies of this on VHS for years and I even bought another copy off ebay hoping to get a better copy (but it happened to be a copy recorded from TV--BOO ebay!). Anyway my aunt asked me to borrow my copy just the other day and I couldn't help but to watch it again. It requires little though some good laughs and a love of classic films as a prerequisite to watch this one.
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Hix Nix Stix Pix
This may have been the type of movie that gave birth to that infamous variety headline as rural Wyoming townspeople in rancher territory are depicted in classic postwar city-slicker-learns-life-from-rural-perspective fashion. And central casting regulars, William Demarest, Andy Devine, Irving Bacon, Gene Evans, Chester Conklin, and others are on-hand to reprise their familiar supporting characters.
The title is appropriate; the pacing is brisk; and Marshall's direction even shows flair at times. And, certainly, this movie is pleasing as intended - a relaxing and undemanding family comedy. The postwar theme of having able, brave, and plucky women return home to support their husbands without losing their guile or abilities to contribute is prominent and obvious. Irene Dunne, in her final role, smartly overcomes the writing to put her personal imprimatur on the lead character. Her best scenes are with Fred MacMurray's pre-adolescent daughters -- portrayed winningly by Natalie Wood and Gigi Pereau.
Unfortunately, Fred MacMurray, normally a personal favorite who should have been a natural for the part, gives one of his least energetic and dopiest performances in the male lead. And while the moments are not dull, many of the sight gags are predictable, but still mildly amusing.
Performance-wise, a fitting valedictory for Miss Dunne. Overall, Never a Dull Moment is a pleasant-enough movie to relax with and relive 1950 without awakening your brain.
The title is appropriate; the pacing is brisk; and Marshall's direction even shows flair at times. And, certainly, this movie is pleasing as intended - a relaxing and undemanding family comedy. The postwar theme of having able, brave, and plucky women return home to support their husbands without losing their guile or abilities to contribute is prominent and obvious. Irene Dunne, in her final role, smartly overcomes the writing to put her personal imprimatur on the lead character. Her best scenes are with Fred MacMurray's pre-adolescent daughters -- portrayed winningly by Natalie Wood and Gigi Pereau.
Unfortunately, Fred MacMurray, normally a personal favorite who should have been a natural for the part, gives one of his least energetic and dopiest performances in the male lead. And while the moments are not dull, many of the sight gags are predictable, but still mildly amusing.
Performance-wise, a fitting valedictory for Miss Dunne. Overall, Never a Dull Moment is a pleasant-enough movie to relax with and relive 1950 without awakening your brain.
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Broadway Goes To The Wide Open Spaces
Never A Dull Moment is based on the book written by Broadway composer Kay Swift who gave up the bright lights of Broadway to settle down as a rancher's wife. Although it won't make the list of Irene Dunne's best films, it does have its amusing aspects and holds up pretty good today.
The real Kay Swift according to her Wikipedia biography in 1939 met a rodeo cowboy and in a whirlwind courtship, married him and settled down on his ranch. Previously Swift whose two best known songs, popular to this day are Fine And Dandy and Can't We Be Friends, was involved in a long term relationship with George Gershwin. She had also been married before and I believe Philip Ober's character is based on her ex-husband, Paul James.
In any event the film bears some similarities to another true story about urbanites moving to the country, The Egg And I in which Fred MacMurray also starred. Nobody could ever complain about Fred MacMurray as a light leading man in comedies. But as he himself said in westerns, even modern ones, the horse and he were never as one. The part MacMurray plays is not to dissimilar from the one John Wayne did in A Lady Takes A Chance. I think the Duke would have been great in the role and we would have seen a once in a lifetime teaming of Irene Dunne and John Wayne.
Natalie Wood and Gigi Perreau play MacMurray's two daughters who take to Dunne quite easily, none of the stepmother angst in this film. And William Demarest has a great role as a grumpy old neighbor that MacMurray and Dunne have to put up with because he has the source of their water on his property.
Not a great comedy for Dunne like The Awful Truth, Theodora Goes Wild, or My Favorite Wife, but an amusing film that will please her fans.
The real Kay Swift according to her Wikipedia biography in 1939 met a rodeo cowboy and in a whirlwind courtship, married him and settled down on his ranch. Previously Swift whose two best known songs, popular to this day are Fine And Dandy and Can't We Be Friends, was involved in a long term relationship with George Gershwin. She had also been married before and I believe Philip Ober's character is based on her ex-husband, Paul James.
In any event the film bears some similarities to another true story about urbanites moving to the country, The Egg And I in which Fred MacMurray also starred. Nobody could ever complain about Fred MacMurray as a light leading man in comedies. But as he himself said in westerns, even modern ones, the horse and he were never as one. The part MacMurray plays is not to dissimilar from the one John Wayne did in A Lady Takes A Chance. I think the Duke would have been great in the role and we would have seen a once in a lifetime teaming of Irene Dunne and John Wayne.
Natalie Wood and Gigi Perreau play MacMurray's two daughters who take to Dunne quite easily, none of the stepmother angst in this film. And William Demarest has a great role as a grumpy old neighbor that MacMurray and Dunne have to put up with because he has the source of their water on his property.
Not a great comedy for Dunne like The Awful Truth, Theodora Goes Wild, or My Favorite Wife, but an amusing film that will please her fans.
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Worth a watch if you are a fan of these actors
The reviews on this board seem to hold Dunne and MacMurray up to their usual elite standard of comedy. There is nothing wrong with that if you only want to see the best of the best. So, if that's all you have time for, then perhaps you'll want to pass on this one.
However, I watched this film today for the second time. Honestly, I didn't care much for it a few years ago, so I wrote it off. However, I recorded it thinking maybe I'd been too hard on it and as I watched it again, I realized that I had been a bit too judgmental.
The weakness lies in the script. Perhaps the aging Irene Dunne (who certainly still looked lovely and young for her age), wasn't being offered the best scripts anymore. I find that sad for an actress of her caliber, but it still happens today when actresses approach the age of 45-50.
However, it is still a cute comedy with a fine cast. Fred MacMurray is a macho but weary cowboy with financial problems. His performance reflects this stress effectively. His daughters are a bit precocious at first, but Irene passes their tests and their affection grows.
The supporting cast is fine. I love the telephone scenes where all the local women can listen in on a conversation and, of course, begin gossiping. Poor Irene Dunne's character is worked to death by everyone with little appreciation, but this is purely for comic effect. Gigi Perreau and Natalie Wood were darling and great little horsewomen. If Natalie was having an awkward stage, as mentioned in some other reviews, then I'll take hers over the one I had with no braces and an unflattering Dorothy Hamill haircut when I was 11.
Overall, this isn't the best of the best, but it's certainly not the worst of the worst. It's still worth a watch if you enjoy these actors or this genre. Predictable and formulaic it is, but it's still much better than most of what's showing today. Also, it has some catchy songs and we get to enjoy hearing Irene's lovely voice.
I'm glad I viewed this one again. It was a fine way to spend a rainy afternoon with some of my favorite stars.
However, I watched this film today for the second time. Honestly, I didn't care much for it a few years ago, so I wrote it off. However, I recorded it thinking maybe I'd been too hard on it and as I watched it again, I realized that I had been a bit too judgmental.
The weakness lies in the script. Perhaps the aging Irene Dunne (who certainly still looked lovely and young for her age), wasn't being offered the best scripts anymore. I find that sad for an actress of her caliber, but it still happens today when actresses approach the age of 45-50.
However, it is still a cute comedy with a fine cast. Fred MacMurray is a macho but weary cowboy with financial problems. His performance reflects this stress effectively. His daughters are a bit precocious at first, but Irene passes their tests and their affection grows.
The supporting cast is fine. I love the telephone scenes where all the local women can listen in on a conversation and, of course, begin gossiping. Poor Irene Dunne's character is worked to death by everyone with little appreciation, but this is purely for comic effect. Gigi Perreau and Natalie Wood were darling and great little horsewomen. If Natalie was having an awkward stage, as mentioned in some other reviews, then I'll take hers over the one I had with no braces and an unflattering Dorothy Hamill haircut when I was 11.
Overall, this isn't the best of the best, but it's certainly not the worst of the worst. It's still worth a watch if you enjoy these actors or this genre. Predictable and formulaic it is, but it's still much better than most of what's showing today. Also, it has some catchy songs and we get to enjoy hearing Irene's lovely voice.
I'm glad I viewed this one again. It was a fine way to spend a rainy afternoon with some of my favorite stars.
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MY WEB PAGE TO NATALIE WOOD
