This programmer's plot doesn't always make sense, but it is nonetheless an amusing way to spend an hour and 10 minutes. Young is appealing as always, but quite a bit scrappier than in his later, long-running TV roles as Jim Anderson and Marcus Welby. Evans also is very likable. With a supporting cast including such dependable 1930s performers as Nat Pendleton and Claude Gillingwater and future 'Today' regular Betty Furness, this breezy comedy is well worth a look.
10 Reviews
Confidential Agent
krorie30 March 2006
The title "Calm Yourself" is so generic, even for 1935, that I always have to look it up on IMDb to make sure I get the right movie. Otherwise, this is a fairly good film that fills its 70 minute format with ease. It sort of runs as a TV sitcom before there were TV sitcoms. Part of this is due to the fine cast that includes Robert Young before he became typecast as either the perfect father, Jim Anderson, or the perfect family doctor, Dr. Marcus Welby; Betty Furness before she became a refrigerator; Madge Evans, somewhat of a silent child star who developed into a talented actress yet never received stardom as an adult; and a covey of skillful character actors including Nat Pendleton, cowboy regulars Raymond Hatton and Ward Bond, and Paul Hurst.
The story is an amusing one, if a bit confusing, involving Pat Patton (Robert Young) who tries to impress his girlfriend, whose father has just fired him, by opening a confidential agency. His new career gets him involved with a new girlfriend while the old one is still around plus an assignment that turns into an unintentional kidnapping. There is also a temperamental dog that keeps nipping at his backside. Beware that there is a bit of unnecessary Hollywood racism thrown in near the end which was not uncommon for that time period.
Of interest is Pat Patton's agency which seemed unusual until a new movie just out at theaters, "Inside Man," presents a new version of a confidential agency with Jodie Foster at its head. Many viewers, myself included, were at first unsure just what Jodie Foster's job entailed. This old Hollywood flick helps to explain it.
The story is an amusing one, if a bit confusing, involving Pat Patton (Robert Young) who tries to impress his girlfriend, whose father has just fired him, by opening a confidential agency. His new career gets him involved with a new girlfriend while the old one is still around plus an assignment that turns into an unintentional kidnapping. There is also a temperamental dog that keeps nipping at his backside. Beware that there is a bit of unnecessary Hollywood racism thrown in near the end which was not uncommon for that time period.
Of interest is Pat Patton's agency which seemed unusual until a new movie just out at theaters, "Inside Man," presents a new version of a confidential agency with Jodie Foster at its head. Many viewers, myself included, were at first unsure just what Jodie Foster's job entailed. This old Hollywood flick helps to explain it.
I Am Calm. That's The Problem
boblipton16 August 2021
Claude Gillingwater fires Robert Young for making love to his daughter, so Young heads out and starts of 'Confidential Services". Among the services he provides is keeping Ralph Morgan's daughter, Madge Evans, hidden without her getting suspicious.
There's the typical MGM gloss that keeps this movie watchable, with lots of interesting character actors like Herman Bing, Paul Hurst, Shirley Ross, and Clyde Cook. What it lacks is a sense of fun, despite the direction of George B. Seitz. Perhaps it's because Young keeps repeating his catchphrase, "calm yourself" any time anyone becomes upset. Perhaps it's because the comedy bits, like a shoe-eating Great Dane, seem a bit too calculated. Whatever it is, it all falls a little flat.
There's the typical MGM gloss that keeps this movie watchable, with lots of interesting character actors like Herman Bing, Paul Hurst, Shirley Ross, and Clyde Cook. What it lacks is a sense of fun, despite the direction of George B. Seitz. Perhaps it's because Young keeps repeating his catchphrase, "calm yourself" any time anyone becomes upset. Perhaps it's because the comedy bits, like a shoe-eating Great Dane, seem a bit too calculated. Whatever it is, it all falls a little flat.
Forced
Handlinghandel7 April 2006
It's not terrible. It actually gets better as it goes along. But emblematic of the frantic efforts for a laugh is the shoe-eating dog: Robert Young, who has set himself up as someone who can resolve sticky situations for pay, finds himself saddled with a huge dog. The dog is ill behaved in the extreme and neither cute nor likable. When things seem to have slowed down, the dog is, no pun intended, trotted out again to give proceedings a hectic flavor.
Madge Evans, the daughter of client Ralph Morgan, is appealing. Betty Furness is fine as the girl Young is after when we meet him. Nat Pendleton is always good for a smile when he shows up, as he does so often in movies of this decade.
There are far worse movies. But this one can get on one's nerves in its attempts at being funny every second.
Madge Evans, the daughter of client Ralph Morgan, is appealing. Betty Furness is fine as the girl Young is after when we meet him. Nat Pendleton is always good for a smile when he shows up, as he does so often in movies of this decade.
There are far worse movies. But this one can get on one's nerves in its attempts at being funny every second.
Robert Young Remains Calm
wes-connors15 July 2011
Advertising executive Robert Young (as Preston "Pat" Patton) is fired from his job for kissing boss' daughter Madge Evans (as Mary Elizabeth Allenby). Taking a cue from his frequently uttered "Calm Yourself" motto, Mr. Young starts his own business, called "Confidential Services, Inc." Young explains, "Our large and versatile staff will pawn your jewels, send your strategic telegrams, hold your hand during operation, or do almost anything you ask." Just say "Calm Yourself" and allow Young to handle it, for a fee.
Young gets off on the wrong track by delivering the wrong drunk to an overweight wife's bed. Next, he is hired to keep beautiful Madge Evans (as Rosalind) away from her father's new wife because rich old papa Ralph Morgan (as Kenneth S. Rockwell) has been passing himself off as a younger man. So, Young hires Ms. Evans as his secretary, allowing her to become involved in some comic misadventures. They also become romantic. A baby and a dog are added to the confusion. Everybody tries to remain calm.
**** Calm Yourself (6/28/35) George B. Seitz ~ Robert Young, Madge Evans, Betty Furness, Ralph Morgan
Young gets off on the wrong track by delivering the wrong drunk to an overweight wife's bed. Next, he is hired to keep beautiful Madge Evans (as Rosalind) away from her father's new wife because rich old papa Ralph Morgan (as Kenneth S. Rockwell) has been passing himself off as a younger man. So, Young hires Ms. Evans as his secretary, allowing her to become involved in some comic misadventures. They also become romantic. A baby and a dog are added to the confusion. Everybody tries to remain calm.
**** Calm Yourself (6/28/35) George B. Seitz ~ Robert Young, Madge Evans, Betty Furness, Ralph Morgan
Calm Yourself by watching this old comedy.
denscul20 March 2006
This movie is carried on Robert Young's charm and youthful optimism that it will get him out of any jam, and into the land of milk and honey. Don't let the fact that the plot hinges on Young's character getting a millionaire's baby who just happened to be handed over by the baby's nurse, who looks more like street person than the nurse of a milionaire. The baby is given to his would be rival to Young's first girl friend, who happens to be the daughter of his boss. Young gets the baby because his fledgling business - Calm Yourself; takes on clients with such problems. Like what to do with a baby. If this sounds crazy, watch the movie. Its one of those movies that somehow can take the edge off a blustery day and bring in a little black and white sunshine.
Chaotic & cruel comedy agitates me. Title doesn't help.
crispy_comments25 August 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Even a weaker B-movie like "Calm Yourself" is more entertaining to me than your average blockbuster of today. However, the humour is rather frantic and forced, as other reviewers have mentioned - plus that unfortunate blackface gag must bring the rating down.
Madge Evans deserved to be a bigger star, and deserved better scripts than this one. I enjoy Robert Young in anything, but he plays a slightly less likable character here than usual. Preston (Young) comes across as rather callous in switching from one fiancée to another, even taking into account that this is standard behavior in screwball comedies. However, I did enjoy the fact that he made romantic doodles about both women...you know, the kind we usually see adolescent girls scribbling in movies, writing their names in combination with the names of their crush-object.
My main beef is that Preston shows no qualms or regret about sabotaging the potential relationship between a father (Ralph Morgan) and daughter (Madge Evans), who don't know each other. Although initially working at the father's request (he's trying to keep his daughter away until he can muster the courage to tell his young second wife about the existence of a grown daughter - and thus, his real age), Preston goes a bit too far in deceiving both of them and badmouthing each one to the other...apparently for purely mercenary reasons. But of course it all works out in the end, and I'm definitely taking this silly movie too seriously! I should, ahem, calm myself.
Madge Evans deserved to be a bigger star, and deserved better scripts than this one. I enjoy Robert Young in anything, but he plays a slightly less likable character here than usual. Preston (Young) comes across as rather callous in switching from one fiancée to another, even taking into account that this is standard behavior in screwball comedies. However, I did enjoy the fact that he made romantic doodles about both women...you know, the kind we usually see adolescent girls scribbling in movies, writing their names in combination with the names of their crush-object.
My main beef is that Preston shows no qualms or regret about sabotaging the potential relationship between a father (Ralph Morgan) and daughter (Madge Evans), who don't know each other. Although initially working at the father's request (he's trying to keep his daughter away until he can muster the courage to tell his young second wife about the existence of a grown daughter - and thus, his real age), Preston goes a bit too far in deceiving both of them and badmouthing each one to the other...apparently for purely mercenary reasons. But of course it all works out in the end, and I'm definitely taking this silly movie too seriously! I should, ahem, calm myself.
It starts off reasonably well but ultimately fizzles.
planktonrules4 November 2018
When the story begins, Pat (Robert Young) is fired from his job by making time with the boss' daughter. Suddenly Pat gets an idea...to open up a company to do dirty jobs...things folks don't want to do themselves. The idea is not as sure as Pat thinks...and his new company struggles. Ultimately, however, he ends up taking a job in keeping a lady away from her father's house, caring for a scary dog AND watching a baby...which turns out to be a kidnapping! How can Pat extricate himself from this mess? And, what of the lady, as she and Pat have started to fall in love.
The idea started off pretty well. However, as the story progressed, it became more kooky and ridiculous. Additionally, since you never really like Pat very much, it also becomes tedious. Not terrible...just not very good despite coming from MGM. And, I agree with one of the other reviewers who felt the whole thing came off as forced...and loud at the end.
The idea started off pretty well. However, as the story progressed, it became more kooky and ridiculous. Additionally, since you never really like Pat very much, it also becomes tedious. Not terrible...just not very good despite coming from MGM. And, I agree with one of the other reviewers who felt the whole thing came off as forced...and loud at the end.
Decent B pic with Robert Young & Different Story
vincentlynch-moonoi13 September 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I'm not going to try to tell you this is a great film, but it's a decent B film, and -- a rarity -- it has a very different story line than you've probably seen before.
Robert Young, who does nicely here, plays an ace advertising man who is fired from his job, despite being in love with the bosses daughter...or perhaps because he is in love with the bosses daughter! So, he opens his own business -- a sort of "I'll do anything to help you...for pay" business. This leads to finding a new love interest, though he doesn't know it at the time, and what is mistaken for a kidnapping.
Considering the year -- 1935 -- this is more sophisticated than many of the films of that era. Not one for the DVD shelf, but a rather pleasant way to spend about 90 minutes.
Robert Young, who does nicely here, plays an ace advertising man who is fired from his job, despite being in love with the bosses daughter...or perhaps because he is in love with the bosses daughter! So, he opens his own business -- a sort of "I'll do anything to help you...for pay" business. This leads to finding a new love interest, though he doesn't know it at the time, and what is mistaken for a kidnapping.
Considering the year -- 1935 -- this is more sophisticated than many of the films of that era. Not one for the DVD shelf, but a rather pleasant way to spend about 90 minutes.
A man's office must be kept in the same disorder as his mind.
mark.waltz16 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
So says wacky neer-do-well Robert Young, quitting his job working for irrascible Claude Gillingwater and starting his own firm, providing services to people in awkward situations who can't get out of their messes. there, he takes on client Ralph Morgan who has a daughter (Madge Evan) from a previous marriage he doesn't want his current wife to find out about. Young makes Evans his secretary to hide her from Morgan and gets them involved in a supposed kidnapping when they take on a baby that its Nanny left with a total stranger in Central Park. Young will find that he has a lot of explaining to do, to the cops, to client Morgan, aren't your fiance Betty Furness, Gillingwater's spoiled daughter who wants to get away from her father.
Young takes on the antics of the usual screwball heroine, surrounded by sensible Evans and possessive Furness, getting to be absolutely silly and filled with more cracks (wise, that is) than the entire Fifth Avenue sidewalk. He's surrounded by a wacky cast of popular character actors of the time, including Hardie Albright, Nat Pendeton and Herman Bing. The outlandish plot is completely over-the-top more bizarre twists and turns than all of the Pathways in Central Park put together. Still, there's a lot of fun to be had, and it's over in just over an hour. Young seems to be having a ton of fun. this may not be one of the great screwball comedies, but it's one that's a lot of enjoyment can be found in if you get past the absurdities.
Young takes on the antics of the usual screwball heroine, surrounded by sensible Evans and possessive Furness, getting to be absolutely silly and filled with more cracks (wise, that is) than the entire Fifth Avenue sidewalk. He's surrounded by a wacky cast of popular character actors of the time, including Hardie Albright, Nat Pendeton and Herman Bing. The outlandish plot is completely over-the-top more bizarre twists and turns than all of the Pathways in Central Park put together. Still, there's a lot of fun to be had, and it's over in just over an hour. Young seems to be having a ton of fun. this may not be one of the great screwball comedies, but it's one that's a lot of enjoyment can be found in if you get past the absurdities.
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