Fast and Loose
The Sloanes tie murder to the theft of a Shakespeare manuscript.
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- Cast:
- Robert Montgomery , Rosalind Russell , Reginald Owen , Ralph Morgan , Etienne Girardot , Alan Dinehart , Jo Ann Sayers
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Reviews
Best movie of this year hands down!
It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.
I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.
The acting in this movie is really good.
One of several films Robert Montgomery did with Rosalind Russell; they're a chummy couple, they interact well on-screen, but this is one of their weaker efforts. A book expert plays part-time sleuth when a handwritten manuscript by Shakespeare is stolen; his wife inadvertently helps. Some smart jabs at the economy (circa 1939) and the playful repartee between Montgomery and Russell make this watchable, but nothing more. The scenario is too cluttered with suspects, and no one in the large supporting cast makes much of an impression (except possibly Sidney Blackmer playing a sinister gambling czar, his steely eyes just as chilly here as in 1968's "Rosemary's Baby"). Hectic, somehow tolerable, yet imminently forgettable. ** from ****
During the 1930s and 40s, MGM produced many successful "Thin Man" movies starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. They were wonderful little mystery films with a very strong emphasis on humor and the banter between the two leads. Here, MGM tries to make the formula pay off again, but this time with Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell in the leads. In so many ways the film was this old formula all over again, but somehow despite their best efforts the two leads just don't make it work as well as Powell and Loy--partly because the Thin Man films are so good it's hard to match them and partly because the script just isn't as good as the Thin Man scripts--it's just too complex and not all that interesting. Still, considering the Russell and Montgomery still are wonderful actors, the film pays off well enough to recommend it. I especially liked Montgomery's easy-going manner, though unfortunately the usually strong characters Russell plays aren't as evident here and she's rather over-shadowed by Montgomery.So overall, it's not a bad little film--just don't expect the magic of Nick and Nora Charles.
It's a good thing Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell were the stars of "Fast and Loose," otherwise, there would be nothing to recommend it. They are wonderful as a sort of penniless Nick and Nora hot on the trail of a stolen Shakespearian manuscript. I found it a little hard to follow as far as who killed whom and why.Both actors were excellent at both comedy and drama, and in fact, right before seeing this, I saw them in "Night Must Fall." What a difference! And really, it is a tribute to the talent of both that they could do such different types of films so easily.I wish they'd had a better script to work with. This film is too long and too confusing. But if you want to see two masters at work, by all means, check it out.
I love the films with Robert Montgomery. There was no one better at light comedy roles. And Roz was no slouch either. That's why this picture was so disappointing.This picture is about two murders and 40 minutes too long. Don't try to keep up with who killed whom and why-you'll get a headache! Normally with a 30's whodunit you wouldn't expect to keep up with the plot twists. But here they just bog down the lifeless story more. It's dull and formulaic. Only the charm, wit and affection of the stars make this watchable at all.But still, I'm not sorry I saw It-because as a film "buff," I wouldn't have believed otherwise that Montgomery and Roz had made such a stinker!