On the whole, Walker carries this lengthy comedy-romance over a number of rough spots. As the irrepressible bell-boy, he's having trouble deciding between stepping up in the world with a real princess or stepping next door to discover the "princess" who's already there. As Jimmy Dobson, Walker is all boyish enthusiasm and charm. Good thing too, since LaMarr looks beautiful but glum, while the high-spirited Allyson is not allowed her usual bounce. So which will our bell-boy end up with—LaMarr's gorgeous princess or Allyson's invalided girl-next- door. Of course, coming at the end of WWII when the virtues of all things American were celebrated, the outcome's predictable-- Better to be among the land of the free than confined to a royal throne.
It's a modern day fairy tale that importantly suggests not all princesses wear crowns. But the movie itself is uneven, lacking engagement from director Thorpe who does nothing to provide overall sparkle. Thus, a meandering storyline breaks down into a few amusing moments-- Jack Norton's drunk, Ragland's fractured English, Walker's clumsy enthusiasm. But the movie itself lacks overall style of the kind that would make it, and not just a couple of the performers, a success.
(Hard to believe that the excellent comedic actor Rags Ragland would pass away only a year after this production.)
It's a modern day fairy tale that importantly suggests not all princesses wear crowns. But the movie itself is uneven, lacking engagement from director Thorpe who does nothing to provide overall sparkle. Thus, a meandering storyline breaks down into a few amusing moments-- Jack Norton's drunk, Ragland's fractured English, Walker's clumsy enthusiasm. But the movie itself lacks overall style of the kind that would make it, and not just a couple of the performers, a success.
(Hard to believe that the excellent comedic actor Rags Ragland would pass away only a year after this production.)