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Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House | Year: 1948 Classification: Comedy Directed: - H.C. Potter Actors/Actresses: - Cary Grant - Myrna Loy Mr. Blandings Makes A Great Comedy I first heard of this movie when it was named by the AFI as one of the funniest American comedies of all-time. This is allegedly the 72nd funniest movie you will ever see. "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" has an awful lot going for it. First you have a wonderful cast including Cary Grant, Myrna Loy and Melvyn Douglas. And a script written by Melvin Frank and Norman Panama. And if your a Bob Hope fan you should know those two names. They are two of Hope's most trusted writers. They wrote such films as "Monsieur Beaucaire", "My Favorite Blonde" and two of the road pictures. "Utopia" and "Hong Kong". The basic premise of the movie is a couple (played by Grant & Loy) wants to move out of their small Manhattan apartment and build their own dream house. It may sound simple but it sure isn't simple for Grant and Loy to reach their goal. It's mishaps after mishaps. And they find themselves spending more and more money on a house they already can't afford. What I like best about the movie is the way everything is played serious. No matter what is happening the actors never act like they know what they are doing is funny. And that just makes it even more funny. Grant was a wonderful comedic actor. Most people may think of him as a serious actor but he did comedy just as well. Watch him in "Bringing Up Baby", "Arsenic and Old Lace" & one of my favorites "The Awful Truth". Myrna Loy is no slouch either. She of course is best known for the "Thin Man" series but appeared in several other comedies as well like "Libeled Lady", and "Third Finger, Left Hand" (Melvyn Douglas co-starred). I'm really not familiar with the director H.C. Potter. I've only seen two films he directed. "The Story of Vernon & Irene Castle" and "The Miniver Story". Neither I feel is a great movie. Especially "The Miniver Story". It's nowhere near as great as the original. But nonetheless he does as nice job directing this movie. He keeps a nice pace going along. The movie is about 95 minutes. So it moves briskly and nothing "feels" left out. If you like any of the actors in this movie or like old fashion comedies "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" will turn out to be a treat. Bottom-line: Very funny Cary Grant Myrna Loy comedy. Moves along nicely and has several memorable moments. Worth watching if you like old comedies. Grant + Loy = Cinema Magic ! What a wonderful DVD to add to your classic comedy collection ! "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" ( "Mr. Blandings" ) was a very timely comedy in the late 1940s, when many young couples were looking to buy a home. When you buy that first house--be it new or "previously enjoyed"--it's amazing sometimes how many unforeseen problems can arise that result in more and more bills ! I'm sure that, even today, many of us can identify with the hurdles faced by the couple in "Mr. Blandings". Cary Grant stars as advertising whiz, Jim Blandings. He lives in a cramped New York apartment with his wife ( marvellous Myrna Loy ),two young daughters, and live-in maid ( Louise Beavers ). Tired of battling for time in the bathroom, closet space, privacy etc., he decides to look into acquiring a house, preferably out in the country, away from the Manhattan rat race.<BR>He and his wife are shown an old house in the beautiful Connecticut countryside--and--definitely throwing caution to the wind--and--without consulting his best friend/lawyer ( a droll, sardonic Melvyn Douglas )--they buy the place. It would be unfair to reveal more of the plot--let's just say that the house can be described as a "fixer-upper" ! This is a perfect role for Cary Grant--he is, as ever, suave, charming and funny, as well as embarrassed, befuddled and frustrated when facing one problem after another. His reactions, double-takes and expressions of incredulity are priceless. As Mrs. Blandings, Myrna Loy again proves that she is one of the great leading ladies of film--witty, sophisticated, smart and beautiful--her character is a full partner to her husband, rather than just a "rose in his lapel". By all accounts, Ms. Loy would not have had it any other way.<BR>Melvyn Douglas also registers as the Blandings' lawyer, who--just to spice things up even more--was one of Mrs. Blandings old beaux from her college days. Supporting players are all fine, including "B" movie stalwart, Nestor Paiva, and--soon to be the screen's next Tarzan--Lex Barker. The DVD exhibits a clear B & W image. Extras include quite a few trailers for other Cary Grant films, two radio shows with Cary, and a delightful, colour Tex Avery cartoon, "House of Tomorrow". So--take a witty script--sharp direction--add Cary Grant, Myrna Loy and Melvyn Douglas--and you have a real winner. Highly recommended ! Great movie but... We were very anxious to get this classic CG movie. but the movie was in black and white. not color as advertized. Buy Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House Search with the Priority Search Engine on Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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