Black & White World

George Washington Slept Here (1942)

Lightweight, familiar fish-out-of-water comedy about a couple from the city moving to the country and their trials and tribulations renovating an old farmhouse.  It pre-dates Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House by a good six years (and The Money Pit by about forty), but the humor is pretty much the same, and fairly predictable.  The scales are tipped from mediocre to good on the strength of Jack Benny and Ann Sheridan, and a likeable supporting cast as well.

Benny rarely seemed comfortable with his leading ladies, but he and Sheridan have a very nice rapport here; they make a fun and believable couple.  Percy Kilbride ("Pa Kettle") is the scene-stealer here, with his dry and deadpan delivery.  Reportedly Benny had a hell of a time keeping a straight face any time they did a scene together.

Like a lot of comedies in the ‘40s, it gets a little over-complicated towards the end and veers off into the silly territory more than once, but overall a fun romp and not a bad Sunday morning movie.

1. Someday, your comments will come~

   Posted by Bet  on  06/24  at  09:31 AM

2. Is it just me, or is he copping a feel?

   “George Washington Groped Here”?

   Posted by Mr. Middlebrow  on  06/25  at  08:36 PM

3. If you were Jack Benny, and working with Ann Sheridan… wouldn’t YOU cop a feel?

   Posted by  on  06/25  at  08:39 PM

4. Oh, absolutely; goes without saying. I’m just surprised to see it on the one sheet.

   Posted by Mr. Middlebrow  on  06/26  at  07:05 AM
Page 1 of 1 pages