Jean Simmons is the "she" in "She Couldn't Say No," a Howard Hughes film released in 1954 but probably made earlier. Simmons stars with Robert Mitchum, Arthur Hunnicut, Edgar Buchanan, and Wallace Ford.
Simmons plays Corby Lane, who as a child developed an illness and needed an operation her father could not pay for. The small Arkansas town she lived in took up a collection to send her to St. Louis and get the surgery she needed. Now, she's an adult and is returning to the town to show her appreciation.
Her first stop is to see the doctor who diagnosed her and sent her to St. Louis, Dr. Sellers, but he's gone and has been replaced by his hunky son Dr. Sellers (Mitchum). There's an attraction, but Corby -- who hasn't given anyone her real name -- notices that the doc has a few girlfriends.
She starts her giving by sending people things that she believes they need. They don't. She actually causes more problems than she solves. Then she decides to anonymously mail money (probably $5000 which in those days was a great deal of money - heck, I'd take it now). As soon as the news gets out, people drive in from all over the country hoping to get some nice mail like that. Meanwhile, the town residents are planning to leave and seek greener pastures.
Kind of a strange movie - first of all, Jean Simmons was such a beautiful woman, yet her hair in this film is most distracting as it looks like it was cut with a weed whacker. Also the character she plays is kind of annoying. Just think - Audrey Hepburn did Roman Holiday and Sabrina while Simmons did this.
Simmons and Mitchum make a great couple with lots of chemistry, as they did in the superior Angel Face. Mitchum is very sexy and Simmons does the best job she can with the material. The supporting cast is terrific, and the surroundings do evoke a small town atmosphere.
This was Lloyd Bacon's last film, and what a comedown from 42nd Street! It's a ragged script that needed a little more development.
I've always been a big fan of Jean Simmons and felt that she indeed lost out to Audrey Hepburn once she started working in the United States. Hepburn was a warmer actress, but I think Simmons had more range. Just an opinion.
Okay if you're a Mitchum fan, as he comes off the best here.
Simmons plays Corby Lane, who as a child developed an illness and needed an operation her father could not pay for. The small Arkansas town she lived in took up a collection to send her to St. Louis and get the surgery she needed. Now, she's an adult and is returning to the town to show her appreciation.
Her first stop is to see the doctor who diagnosed her and sent her to St. Louis, Dr. Sellers, but he's gone and has been replaced by his hunky son Dr. Sellers (Mitchum). There's an attraction, but Corby -- who hasn't given anyone her real name -- notices that the doc has a few girlfriends.
She starts her giving by sending people things that she believes they need. They don't. She actually causes more problems than she solves. Then she decides to anonymously mail money (probably $5000 which in those days was a great deal of money - heck, I'd take it now). As soon as the news gets out, people drive in from all over the country hoping to get some nice mail like that. Meanwhile, the town residents are planning to leave and seek greener pastures.
Kind of a strange movie - first of all, Jean Simmons was such a beautiful woman, yet her hair in this film is most distracting as it looks like it was cut with a weed whacker. Also the character she plays is kind of annoying. Just think - Audrey Hepburn did Roman Holiday and Sabrina while Simmons did this.
Simmons and Mitchum make a great couple with lots of chemistry, as they did in the superior Angel Face. Mitchum is very sexy and Simmons does the best job she can with the material. The supporting cast is terrific, and the surroundings do evoke a small town atmosphere.
This was Lloyd Bacon's last film, and what a comedown from 42nd Street! It's a ragged script that needed a little more development.
I've always been a big fan of Jean Simmons and felt that she indeed lost out to Audrey Hepburn once she started working in the United States. Hepburn was a warmer actress, but I think Simmons had more range. Just an opinion.
Okay if you're a Mitchum fan, as he comes off the best here.