Fun on a Weekend

I'm not quite sure how I'll reach the 600 required characters for this review, because all I wish to say is that this is such a fun, witty, rather zany film! It's in a very similar vein to Bringing Up Baby, with I personally think a similar level of wit. My family hates Bringing Up Baby (which I personally love,) but they enjoyed this movie very much. Although it's fast-paced, the dialouge is a bit easier to follow than Bringing Up Baby, You have to go in to watching the film accepting the fact that it is silly, and you will have a wonderful time. It's most definitely being added to my family's favorite movies list! I only wish it was available to get on DVD! We currently can only find it on TCM.

Starring Eddie Braken, Priscilla Lane, Tom Conway, and a dog who has a habit of chewing every table leg -- with a hilarious bit with Fritz Feld as a temperamental pianist.

Priscilla Lane and Eddie Bracken meet on the beach, where they've both slept. They're broke, but Bracken has ideas about how to meet and influence the wealthy into getting what they want. He doesn't have the nerve to do so. Miss Lane has the nerve, so they go into partnership by bulge and bluster, their only ally a Great Dane who likes to eat furniture legs.

Andrew L. Stone wrote, produced, and directed this comedy. He was one of the auteurs in Hollywood in this era, and reasonably successful; from 1944 through 1972, he directed a score of movies, few of them major, but usually quite profitable, within a wide range of genres. He died in 1999, aged 96.

There's quite a cast of farceurs here, but the movie is timed a trifle slow lending it an air of anxiety that reflects the threat of Bracken and Miss Lane's plans collapsing. The best role belongs to Fritz Feld as a paranoid pianist, but there are moments for Tom Conway, Allen Jenkins, Clarence Kolb, and Arthur Treacher.

I have read some less than favorable remarks regarding this film but have to say that I disagree if for no other reason that the two leads make this plot a pleasure to watch develop. Eddie Bracken is great as the understated 'idea man' and Priscilla Lane is well...Priscilla Lane. Screwball Comedy is generally a hit or miss undertaking that every viewer basically decides for themselves. This film is no exception. If you can 'buy in' to the premise that these two financially challenged misfits can take their meager means and attempt to snowball them into a life of wealth and privilege, then you will enjoy this crazy adventure of posers and pomposity.

You do not need to wait until the weekend to enjoy this film. Its type of merriment can be enjoyed any old day of the week. Maybe that's because of Priscilla Lane, who plays her part with such coolness and ease that it's a truly a delight to watch her.

In fact, this is one of Miss Lane's last films, and it might be called a triumphant comic performance at that. It reminds me of her earlier screwball antics in ARSENIC AND OLD LACE. Only this time instead of Cary Grant, her sparring partner is Eddie Bracken, who brings his own unique brand of humor and energy to the proceedings. The story starts quite simply but as complications ensue and the laughs snowball, it becomes increasingly obvious (and increasingly painful for one's ribcage) that this is a fun film!

"Fun on a Weekend" was written, directed, and produced by Andrew Stone... heck, he even used his wife as the musical director. Eddie Bracken plays a down on his luck guy, who bumps into a girl who's also in money trouble. Not a very strong script, but props to Allen Jenkins for his "Abbott & Costello" comedy bits in the diner. Too bad he got all the good lines. They also rely on the antics of a dog who befriends them for more comedic bits... It's not a total washout, but the plot feels forced, as if they are just going through the motions. Keep an eye out for Clarence Kolb as the stuffy, old rich guy... he always played the cranky old man, the judge, or the wealthy uncle. Also note the hotel bell clerk is Bill Benedict - he was the tall, blond guy from the Bowery Boys, and was called "Whitey" in most of the films he did. There's no spark between Bracken and the blond co-star Priscilla Lane, but some of the gags are amusing.