Top billing may have gone to Jeanne Crain, but make no mistake, this is Thelma Ritter's film. Ritter was one of the most enjoyable character actresses of her time, usually playing supporting roles...and doing so so well that she picked up several Oscar nominations. Here she is, perhaps at her best, as a matchmaker.
Everything else in the film -- and everyone else in the film -- revolves around her.
There's Jeanne Crain as a model who has made a bad choice in boyfriends, and Thelma Ritter sets her strait...practically adopting the young woman. Crain is good here, and lovely as ever, but she really is a supporting actress here, despite top billing.
Scott Brady is the male lead. Scott who? But, he does okay as the man Ritter hooks Crain up with. I would say not leading man material, but satisfactory.
Zero Mostel has a small part -- his last before being blacklisted. Michael O'Shea seems to hang around most of the film, but suddenly at the end plays an important role. Frank Fontaine -- not as Crazy Guggenheim -- plays a Swede looking for a wife. And, Jay C. Flippen has an unusually small role. You'll also see Nancy Kulp -- later the secretary in "The Beverly Hillbillies" -- as her usual plain Jane role...looking for a husband.
The story is a very old-fashioned one...taking place in a New York City that's hard to imagine now. An x-ray technician earning just $75 per week? Ah well...1951 was a loooong time ago.
It's a very enjoyable film, and a chance to see Thelma Ritter as the real star. I was a bit disappointed at the very end of the film...almost seemed like they ran out of film and had to end quickly...but they all do live happily ever after. Recommended.
Everything else in the film -- and everyone else in the film -- revolves around her.
There's Jeanne Crain as a model who has made a bad choice in boyfriends, and Thelma Ritter sets her strait...practically adopting the young woman. Crain is good here, and lovely as ever, but she really is a supporting actress here, despite top billing.
Scott Brady is the male lead. Scott who? But, he does okay as the man Ritter hooks Crain up with. I would say not leading man material, but satisfactory.
Zero Mostel has a small part -- his last before being blacklisted. Michael O'Shea seems to hang around most of the film, but suddenly at the end plays an important role. Frank Fontaine -- not as Crazy Guggenheim -- plays a Swede looking for a wife. And, Jay C. Flippen has an unusually small role. You'll also see Nancy Kulp -- later the secretary in "The Beverly Hillbillies" -- as her usual plain Jane role...looking for a husband.
The story is a very old-fashioned one...taking place in a New York City that's hard to imagine now. An x-ray technician earning just $75 per week? Ah well...1951 was a loooong time ago.
It's a very enjoyable film, and a chance to see Thelma Ritter as the real star. I was a bit disappointed at the very end of the film...almost seemed like they ran out of film and had to end quickly...but they all do live happily ever after. Recommended.