"George Washington Slept Here" was an interesting departure for Jack Benny. Benny usually played a nice guy--a guy who let funny things happen to him and around him. However, since this film was based on a play, Benny played the role as it was written--acerbic and full of snappy one-liners. If you are used to Benny from his TV show or other films, this type of character is pretty different. Now I am NOT saying that this is a bad change. After all, considering how horribly stupid his wife (Ann Sheridan) is in the film, his sour disposition isn't all that bad--most husbands would have killed her! The film begins with Sheridan's dog, Ramy, getting the family tossed out of yet another apartment. So, without telling her husband, she buys a wreck of an ancient house in the country. She does not bother to ask basic questions--and it turns out that the house doesn't have water, a road, bathrooms and isn't quite structurally sound. No wonder Benny is a crab! As a result, the home becomes a money pit--wiping out all their savings in the never-ending quest to make the place livable.
You wonder if perhaps this film was the inspiration, in part, for "Green Acres". It also is similar to "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House". It's got lots of clever moments and a likable ensemble cast. It's also a tad uneven--with some gags that fall a bit flat (for example the 17-year locusts bit). All in all, worth watching but not a brilliant comedy either.
By the way, while you'd barely recognize it, according to IMDb this house was the same one used for "Arsenic and Hold Lace".
You wonder if perhaps this film was the inspiration, in part, for "Green Acres". It also is similar to "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House". It's got lots of clever moments and a likable ensemble cast. It's also a tad uneven--with some gags that fall a bit flat (for example the 17-year locusts bit). All in all, worth watching but not a brilliant comedy either.
By the way, while you'd barely recognize it, according to IMDb this house was the same one used for "Arsenic and Hold Lace".