Sunday, June 21, 2009

Radio review – Lux – “Take a Letter, Darling” (1950) ***

Adaptation of one of the many lesser-known romantic comedies Rosalind Russell made in the wake of her success in His Girl Friday. They normally involved career girl Russell being convinced of the joys of domesticity by some handsome co-stars – in this case Fred MacMurray. The warning bells go off but actually this is a lot of fun, and surprisingly PC.

The plot involves ad exec Russell hiring MacMurray to act as her secretary in order to help battle with clients who don’t like dealing with women; they fall for each other – MacMurray in part because he likes Russell’s drive. It doesn’t end with Russell quitting to become a housewife and be supported by MacMurray – both quit and run off to Mexico, where he can paint and she can write poetry.

I like the third act twist where MacMurray confides in a tobacco tycoon he’s in love with Russell and the tycoon encourages him to make her jealous – so the tycoon can pinch Russell. It’s also cute how MacMurray sends Russell and the tycoon a nude painting as a present with Russell’s head painted on – the tycoon says he forgives Russell and Russell becomes indignant and dumps him. Good fun.

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