weezeralfalfa Review of Three Blind Mice

Three Blind Mice (1938)

A reciprocal doublecross screwball romantic comedy, with ironic ending

[7/10 · 5 August 2018]

Some others may not classify this as a screwball romantic comedy. But, I do. Those of you familiar with 1953's "How to Marry a Millionaire" will note some striking similarities in plot. However, here, we have a team of 3 sisters working together to snare at least one wealthy husband. In the later film, we have 3 friends sharing an upscale apartment, each pursuing their own idea of a dream mate. This is actually the 3rd such film in which Loretta Young was one of the 3 sisters, the others being "Three Girls Lost",'31, and "Ladies in Love", '36. Besides the '53 version, there subsequently was "Moon Over Miami",'41, and "Three Little Girls in Blue", '46, with essentially the same plot.......Our 3 old maids don't seem to have any appropriate local prospects, so Pam(Loretta) suggests they make a trip to California(Santa Barbara) and check into an upscale hotel, using the $5870. they inherited from an aunt, to pay the train tickets and hotel room. They decide to have Pam masquerade as a wealthy socialite, with Moira(Marjorie Weaver) playing her maid, and Liz((Paulene Moore) playing her secretary. Steward Mike (Stuart Erwin) tells them about 2 single wealthy gentlemen staying in the hotel. They find Joel McCrea(Van Dam) and David Niven(Steve). together, and make their acquaintance. Seems like these 2 men were almost always found together, like perhaps they were a gay couple. Actually, we later find out that Van is a hanger on, being broke and deep in debt, by his own admission. In contrast, Steve is truly a wealthy man, with a large ranch not too far away. Pam has her choice of either of these, both looking for a wealthy wife. She takes up a friendship with Van. But when Van proposes, Pam confesses she's a phony as a wealthy society lady. Van confesses he is broke and deep in debt, so both were fooled by the other into thinking that the other was well off. So, they go their separate ways. .....SPOILER ALERT: THE REMAINDER OFTHIS REVIEW ......Now, the women concentrate on snaring bona fide wealthy Steve, who takes to Pam. Steve's sister(Binnie Barnes, as Miriam) meets Van at a restaurant bar, and takes to him. They even discuss the possibility of marriage. Van is luke warm to the idea, but still has the hots for PAM, while PAM and Steve plan marriage. Meanwhile, Moira and Mike(the steward) get cozy, and talk of marriage. Also, Liz and Steve have spent some time at his ranch, getting acquainted. ......Van walks into Pam's bedroom and says she loves him, not Steve. Pam hesitantly agrees. Then, Steve shows up and catches them kissing. They discuss their situation. Steve agrees to call the marriage off. Van once again asks Pam to marry him, and she agrees. Steve and Liz soon talk of marriage, while Mike and Moira sneak off and get married. Mike then surprises everyone with the news that he owns a large cattle ranch in Montana, and only came to California for a time, to sample the living there. So, the irony is that Pam, who originated the idea of vising California to find wealthy husbands, is the only one of the 3 who marries her poor true love. Moira thought she had married a poor man, but presumably was delighted when she found out that he was only masquerading...... Frank Pangborn, famous for playing nervous hotel clerks and other such functionaries, appeared briefly as the hotel front desk person. ... White haired Spencer Charters played the lawyer who settled the estate of the girl's aunt, and brought them a check for their inheritance. He was mobbed by the girls in anticipation.........The film is only 75 min. long, hence was used as a second feature. .....I generally enjoyed the film, despite the many disbelievable features of the screenplay, which you may consider overwhelming, if you take it too seriously.