Yes, I ask the question what happened between 1937 and 1939 -- just 2 years -- that made such a difference in Hollywood between such mundane pictures like this and the golden year of film in 1939? If I didn't know what year this film was made, I probably would have guessed 1933. It's that old-fashioned. But, upon viewing this film a second time, I am going to upgrade my review and rating.
The first problem with the film is that it is so very dated, the theme being women don't belong on a newspaper staff. And it tramps that drum beat pretty consistently. Nowadays it would be laughed out of a cinema. But even then I would have thought the being the whole premise would have been pretty weak. Yup, women are good for just one thing -- romance. At least that's what Walter Pidgeon's character here seems to think, although I now see that that is actually the point -- Pidgeon realizes (by the end of the film) that he was wrong.
The second problem with this film is that parts of the script drag, even when you would think they would excite -- for example, the hi-jinks when Maureen O'Sullivan is trying to track down some strike talks. Nevertheless, the film begins with some promise -- a country girl inherits a big city newspaper. For a while the film flounders, but then improves toward the end.
The good news is the cast. Oddly enough, although deservedly so -- the star billing went to the wonderful character actress Edna May Oliver. And, in fact, her typical performance is as enchanting as ever...and the main reason to watch this film. Here she plays the spinster aunt of O'Sullivan. Edna May Oliver is one of those character actresses that stole every scene she was ever in. So it's a joy seeing her here.
Walter Pidgeon does fine, if you can accept him as the ultimate male chauvinist. Maureen O'Sullivan is okay as the inheritor of the newspaper who decides to become a reporter. In fact, she was pretty good...it's just that the script made her look dumb...like when she gets knocked out in a basement by stepping on a rake, and when she wakes up the first thing she does is powder her nose. Duh! You will recognize quite a few supporting actors here.
This is an okay film, but the best reason to watch it is to revel in an actor who usually got only character roles, but this time got top billing -- Edna May Oliver.
The first problem with the film is that it is so very dated, the theme being women don't belong on a newspaper staff. And it tramps that drum beat pretty consistently. Nowadays it would be laughed out of a cinema. But even then I would have thought the being the whole premise would have been pretty weak. Yup, women are good for just one thing -- romance. At least that's what Walter Pidgeon's character here seems to think, although I now see that that is actually the point -- Pidgeon realizes (by the end of the film) that he was wrong.
The second problem with this film is that parts of the script drag, even when you would think they would excite -- for example, the hi-jinks when Maureen O'Sullivan is trying to track down some strike talks. Nevertheless, the film begins with some promise -- a country girl inherits a big city newspaper. For a while the film flounders, but then improves toward the end.
The good news is the cast. Oddly enough, although deservedly so -- the star billing went to the wonderful character actress Edna May Oliver. And, in fact, her typical performance is as enchanting as ever...and the main reason to watch this film. Here she plays the spinster aunt of O'Sullivan. Edna May Oliver is one of those character actresses that stole every scene she was ever in. So it's a joy seeing her here.
Walter Pidgeon does fine, if you can accept him as the ultimate male chauvinist. Maureen O'Sullivan is okay as the inheritor of the newspaper who decides to become a reporter. In fact, she was pretty good...it's just that the script made her look dumb...like when she gets knocked out in a basement by stepping on a rake, and when she wakes up the first thing she does is powder her nose. Duh! You will recognize quite a few supporting actors here.
This is an okay film, but the best reason to watch it is to revel in an actor who usually got only character roles, but this time got top billing -- Edna May Oliver.