Review of No Time for Comedy (1940) by Private U — 04 Jul 2008
Rosalind Russell knocks me out. I couldn't keep my eyes off of her in this comedy turning to near tragedy. Except for the sudden happy ending, this is a perfect example of how pure comedy can be transformed to near tragedy in a brilliant manipulation of the script and the audience.
It's as if this movie has an absolute split personality. Depending on what mood you're in when you watch it, you may very much appreciate the abrupt about face at the end: Jimmy Stewart and Russell managing to snatch happiness from the jaws of despair.
If I'd had a chance to go over the script, however, I'd have left them separated, in the tradition more of Shaw's Pygmalion rather than the Hollywoodesque My Fair Lady. This one is a joy for any Stewart fans and pure pleasure for Russell fans.
Like Irene Dunne, she is one of the smartest actresses ever to grace the silver screen. For this one, and for classic favorites such as Auntie Mame, I must add her to my all-time favorite actors list.
This review of No Time for Comedy (1940) was written by Private U on 04 Jul 2008.
No Time for Comedy has generally received mixed reviews.
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