You don't need to have amnesia to find something new every time you see this outstanding film that came at the height of screwball comedy era. It was released during one of the great years with classic gems such as "The Philadelphia Story", "His Girl Friday" and "My Favorite Wife" released the exact same year.
William Powell portrays a boring business man who happens to get amnesia while away on business and when he returns home believing that he is grifter, discovers that he is married to the beautiful Myrna Loy, as well as the owner of one of the town's biggest businesses and the leader of a local boy scout troop. She's on the verge of getting a divorce from him and wants to marry Edmund Lowe, and instantly in love with her, tries to prevent her from going forward with her plans.
It's obvious from the start who she has the chemistry with, and pretty soon she's perplexed by his change in attitude, his willingness to spend money on her, as well as her confusion over her changing feelings. She makes a decision to try to get to know him all over again.
Practically perfect from start to finish, this isn't bogged down by a variety of subplots, including one where oil is discovered on land he owns and the attempt of various townspeople and strangers to con him into selling the property. The supporting cast includes Powell's co- stsr Frank McHugh from the 1932 classic "One Way Passage", once again playing another con-man, Nella Walker as his imperious mother, and "Alfalfa" in a tiny role as a member of one of the local scout troops.
Among the comic highlights are Powell's impetuous decision to dance alone, his attempt to lead scouts on a merit badge hike, and the many attempts to woo Loy with bird calls. Once again directed by W.S. Van Dyke (who directed them in many classics), this isn't the remembered masterpiece that it deserves to be, but that makes this an instant sleeper that new fans can discover deliciously on their own.
William Powell portrays a boring business man who happens to get amnesia while away on business and when he returns home believing that he is grifter, discovers that he is married to the beautiful Myrna Loy, as well as the owner of one of the town's biggest businesses and the leader of a local boy scout troop. She's on the verge of getting a divorce from him and wants to marry Edmund Lowe, and instantly in love with her, tries to prevent her from going forward with her plans.
It's obvious from the start who she has the chemistry with, and pretty soon she's perplexed by his change in attitude, his willingness to spend money on her, as well as her confusion over her changing feelings. She makes a decision to try to get to know him all over again.
Practically perfect from start to finish, this isn't bogged down by a variety of subplots, including one where oil is discovered on land he owns and the attempt of various townspeople and strangers to con him into selling the property. The supporting cast includes Powell's co- stsr Frank McHugh from the 1932 classic "One Way Passage", once again playing another con-man, Nella Walker as his imperious mother, and "Alfalfa" in a tiny role as a member of one of the local scout troops.
Among the comic highlights are Powell's impetuous decision to dance alone, his attempt to lead scouts on a merit badge hike, and the many attempts to woo Loy with bird calls. Once again directed by W.S. Van Dyke (who directed them in many classics), this isn't the remembered masterpiece that it deserves to be, but that makes this an instant sleeper that new fans can discover deliciously on their own.