'She Wouldn't Say Yes' could and should have worked, am actually quite sad that it didn't. The cast is a talented one and Rosalind Russell is always worth watching and makes any film she starred or featured in better, although some of them were a lot better than others. Alexander Hall was an inconsistent director but did make some entertaining films, sadly 'She Wouldn't Say Yes' is not one of those. The story did sound somewhat interesting on paper.
There is not much really to add to what has been said already about 'She Wouldn't Say Yes', others have cited very well the numerous things wrong with the film and why it doesn't work. Is 'She Wouldn't Say Yes' a bad film or a complete bust? No, there were moments and there are a few crucial things that are done right. Overall though it is a misfire and has a lot wrong with it, all of which much more crucial to execute well. Something that the film does not, at all.
As said, good things are here in 'She Wouldn't Say Yes'. It looks good, very slickly shot, there is a real sense of period created with a careful eye for detail and the clothes are beautiful, Russell's are a knockout. Russell herself gives her all to her part and has a luminous charm, she has been much better in role that do better showcasing her personality but at least she tries.
Charles Winninger and Adele Jurgens also do their best, with Jurgens being very alluring and looks like she's having fun. And yes, it was interesting seeing Arthur Q. Bryan (voice of Elmer Fudd) in a small uncredited part, an uncommon chance to see him on film.
Lee Bowman sadly is completely out of his element, he is very bland and doesn't look like he is enjoying himself one bit. There is no chemistry whatsoever between him and Russell, no spark and they just don't gel together, it was like seeing them in two different films. While Winninger and Jurgens are fine, the rest of the cast struggle to bring much to stock roles, it was more walking on set, do their thing with not much distinction and that's it. Didn't find myself feeling for any of the characters and didn't find them interesting or well developed, none of them come over as real.
Do agree that 'She Wouldn't Say Yes' is not funny. It is very predictable humour, both in dialogue and gags, lacking in sharpness or wit and is very forced and over-silly throughout. It really didn't have to try as hard as it did, you could literally see and feel the strain going on trying to make it work. Some of the better-faring material did come from the marrying judge subplot, but there was a lot of trying too hard there too. The story is incredibly daft, credulity strained to the limit, and gets very over-complicated and contrived. The ending is too abrupt.
All in all, lacklustre and not worth saying yes to. 4/10
