Jennifer Jones as a plumber's niece who is reduced to being a scullery maid. She lands in the same home with playboy Peter Lawford's parents. Charles Boyer plays a Czechoslovakian hiding out from the Nazis as it's 1938. The picture could have had so many themes but instead it is greatly reduced due to the unbearable writing.
The story jumps from Lawford being with playgirl Bette Cream, their supposed break-up followed by an announcement that they're marrying. Lawford's parents are supposed to be of royalty but instead they act more like imbeciles until the bedroom scene between mom and Ms. Cream.
What excitement could have been generated with Boyer fleeing from the Nazis. This is just mildly glossed over while he looks at with loving eyes Miss Jones (Cluny) who acts almost as she did as the young Miss Dove 9 years later.
Richard Haydn, 19 years before being the impresario in "The Sound of Music" comes across like Peter Sellers. I now think that Seller's intonation was based on Haydn. The latter's mother Una O'Connor never speaks but is constantly clearing her throat. As usual, Sara Allgood, as the head housekeeper is given little to do other than possibly becoming romantically involved with the head butler in this farce.
The ending is too predictable. Chalk this up to fine actors being victimized by an impossible script.
The story jumps from Lawford being with playgirl Bette Cream, their supposed break-up followed by an announcement that they're marrying. Lawford's parents are supposed to be of royalty but instead they act more like imbeciles until the bedroom scene between mom and Ms. Cream.
What excitement could have been generated with Boyer fleeing from the Nazis. This is just mildly glossed over while he looks at with loving eyes Miss Jones (Cluny) who acts almost as she did as the young Miss Dove 9 years later.
Richard Haydn, 19 years before being the impresario in "The Sound of Music" comes across like Peter Sellers. I now think that Seller's intonation was based on Haydn. The latter's mother Una O'Connor never speaks but is constantly clearing her throat. As usual, Sara Allgood, as the head housekeeper is given little to do other than possibly becoming romantically involved with the head butler in this farce.
The ending is too predictable. Chalk this up to fine actors being victimized by an impossible script.