Review of Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948) by Michael H — 05 Feb 2015

Advertising man Jim Blandings lives in a cramped, two-bedroom apartment with his wife and two daughters. After one particularly frustrating morning in the close quarters and threats from his wife to remodel their apartment, Blandings decides it's time for the family to move somewhere they can all have a bit more elbow room.

Turns out that place is Connecticut where Blandings buys 50 acres of land that isn't quite 50 acres and with a house that's falling down. Forced to tear down and start over from scratch, the headaches (and the price tag) escalate over "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" ninety-minute (or so) run. Adding to Blandings' headaches is the advertising account dropped into his lap that has led to the several colleagues exit from the firm.

Cary Grant and Myrna Loy have great chemistry in this fun little comedy that is an underappreciated gem. Watching the two banter back and forth over what is and is not essential to their dream home (each child gets a bedroom with its own bathroom and two closets) is delightful and there are some funny set pieces. Blandings' growing frustration as everything skyrockets out of control is nicely done.

The only misstep in the film is a subplot where Blandings wonders if his wife and best friend might be having an affair. While the best friend (and Blandings' lawyer) serves as a narrator for the story and attempts to offer a voice of reason for much of Blandings' insanity and impulsive moves, the subplot distracts rather than adds anything to the film.