PENNY SERENADE (Released to Theaters USA 1941)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì  Penny Serenade—uncommon storyline—plays like any other romance, but this one is weak in portrayal, presentation, and acting. The movie lacks believability and strong writing skill. Big name critics raved about this movie, but it does not live up to the hype 'by a long shot.' Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline A man finds a woman in a record shop and falls in love. He eventually gets a job in Japan. By this time, they have been dating for a while and he tells her that he wants to get married. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director  George Stevens for directing effort. Thank you to Producer George Stevens for making the film possible. Cast includes  Irene Dunne, Cary Grant, and Beulah Bondi.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?   Maybe. This is an okay watch. For the person who might want to try this film, know there is a color version and a black and white version. This critique was done on the black and white version. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE GRASS IS GREENER (Released to Theaters USA 1960)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì The Grass is Greener—sophisticated writing—presents an interesting solution to an age-old marital challenge. Not the typical storyline. It's unique.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline An oil magnate meets another man's wife.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Stanley Donen for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Stanley Donen for making the film possible. Cast includes Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Robert Mitchum, and Jean Simmons. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. Look for terrific, eye-candy, in-house stage settings. This movie is for a very sophisticated audience. The solution to marital challenges work at a high level of thought. Suggestive scenes are not graphic.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

HOUSEBOAT (Released to Theaters USA 1958)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Houseboat—suitable, not spectacular—has a sense of likableness that that one cannot deny and the family theme is very well done. This is a clean and decent Cary Grant film that is very watchable.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Tom Winters is a lawyer, a widowed father to three children, and needs to get a new home. A set back with the mover necessitates looking for a different home than the one he had chosen and he moves into a houseboat.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Melville Shavelson for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Jack Rose for making the film possible. Cast includes Cary Grant, Sophia Loren, Martha Hyer, and Harry Guardino.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is a 'Disney-styled in spirit' story and serves as a good fill-in-some-time movie. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers