Review of Monkey Business (1952) by Xgary X — 09 Oct 2009

Scientist Cary Grant's lab chimp gets loose and creates a youth serum that makes everyone act like they're in their childhood. Howard Hawks was responsible for a few of the great comedies of the golden age, and the cast can hardly be criticized, but this rather puerile entry in the genre doesn't really do the talent involved justice.

It's little more than a one idea sitcom where the audience are supposed to be amused by grown ups acting like children in some half-hearted slapstick and "look at the funny monkey". I'm sure pre-teens and Jim Carrey fans will find this all a hoot but I was just mildly embarrassed to see one of my favourite actors participating in this kind of juvenile nonsense.

Marilyn showcases her ability to steal every scene she's in but any film that contains jokes that rely on the audience thinking wearing checked flannel sports jackets and argyle socks is incredibly risque is rather worse for wear.

I'd stick to Hawks and Grant's infinitely superior collaborations, Bringing Up Baby and His Girl Friday.