Friday, September 8, 2017

MOVIE SCIENTIST BLOGATHON: Monkey Business (1952)


Christina Wehner and Ruth of Silver Screenings are hosting, for the second time mind you, the Movie Scientist Blogathon. The good, the mad and the lonely lab rats can be found online from September 8 - 10. My guy, Barnaby Fulton, is one of the good ones. Day 1 recap  Day 2 recap  Day 3 recap



Barnaby and Edwina Fulton
Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers

Edwina (to Barnaby): "You're not often the absent-minded professor, but, darling, when you are, you're a real zombie."

Barnaby Fulton (Cary Grant) is the chief chemist at the Oxley Chemical Company. Barnaby has been working on a rejuvination formula and it is preying on his mind when he should be thinking about his wife Edwina (Ginger Rogers) and the party they are dressed to attend.



Miss Laurel, Barnaby, Mr. Oxley
Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, Charles Coburn

The lab team has been testing their recent formula on chimpanzees and tests show that only 23% of the formula is being assimilated. Mr. Oxley (Charles Coburn), who owns the company, is 70 and more than a little anxious that they come up with what he terms a "youth" formula. Perhaps his secretary, the luscious Miss Laurel (Marilyn Monroe) has something to do with his overly anxious attitude.



When the white coats are away, the simians will play.

Barnaby is assisted in the lab by Dr. Kitzel (Henri Letondal), Dr. Brunner (Douglas Spencer), and Dr. Zoldeck (Robert Cornthwaite). These eminent brains are assisted in turn by Esther! Esther is the youngest of the chimps and she plays a bit of "monkey see, monkey do" by getting out of her cage and pouring this into that and that into this. Perhaps dissatisfied with her work, Esther disposes of her formula in the water cooler. 

Barnaby Fulton, in that way of brainy types, decides to test the most recent formula on himself. It leaves a bitter after-taste that Barnaby decides to chase with water. Funny thing, the water also has a bitter aftertaste. It's incredible! Barnaby can see without his glasses. Barnaby has astounding reservoirs of energy. Barnaby feels young again!

Barnaby doesn't strictly follow protocol by chronicling his reactions to the formula. He wants to have fun! Barnaby goes joy riding with Miss Luscious, I mean Miss Laurel. He gets a younger haircut, buys a snazzy car, goes roller skating and swimming until the formula starts to wear off. A then exhausted and sore Barnaby smashes the car into the factory's fence and takes a well-deserved nap.

Mr. Oxley is over-the-moon in his excitement about the formula. Edwina is less than thrilled with Barnaby's antics of the day. Instead of allowing Barnaby to take more of the formula, Edwina takes the larger dose chosen for the next experiment. Nothing happens until, of course, she chases the bitter aftertaste with water from the cooler.



The blackboard says it all.

Edwina is once again the fun loving, empty-headed girl of her youth. Her love and affection for Barnaby is as strong as ever, and she wants to drive to the coastal hotel of their honeymoon. She wants to dance the night away. Once there, however, she is overcome by sudden shyness and blazing anger at anything her beloved says that strikes her as untoward. Edwina has phoned her old boyfriend Hank Entwistle (Hugh Marlowe) and her mother (Esther Dale), who always disliked Barnaby, to announce their break-up. Barnaby and Edwina both have a lot of embarrassing incidents to explain. Is the formula really worth all of this nonsense?

Again under the influence of what they understand to be the formula, Edwina and Barnaby commit further silliness. Edwina believes a neighbour's baby is a reverted Barnaby (don't ask!). Meanwhile, Barnaby plays a game of "let's scalp Hank Entwisle" with the neighbourhood kids.



I don't believe all labs look like this one.

It is obvious that the chief chemist at the Oxley Chemical Company is not going to be of any help to the corporate world. His assistants finally figure out the mystery of Esther and the water cooler. What was left of the miracle concoction is inadvertently destroyed, and things go back to normal. Poor Mr. Oxley!

Dr. Fulton has come to some conclusions concerning his current line of research:

"I'm beginning to wonder if being young is all it's cracked up to be. We dream of youth. We remember it as a time of nightingales and valentines. But what are the facts? Maladjustment, near idiocy, and a series of low comedy disasters. That's what youth is."

Barnaby's newest formula:  "You're old only when you forget you are young."

No word on Esther's theories after these hectic days in the lab.

The very funny script for Monkey Business is by Ben Hecht (The Front Page), Charles Lederer (I Was a Male War Bride) and I.A.L. Diamond (Some Like It Hot).

Monkey Business is the last of 5 films Hawks and Grant made together beginning with 1938s Bringing Up Baby where Grant also played a bespectacled absent-minded professor involved in romantic entanglements.

Ginger Rogers as Edwina was nominated for the Golden Globe in the category of Best Actress - Comedy or Musical, along with Katharine Hepburn for Pat and Mike and the winner, Susan Hayward in With a Song in My Heart.


Movie trivia

Douglas Spencer and Robert Cornthwaite, who play two of the scientists, appeared in the previous year's Howard Hawks film The Thing from Another World as Scotty, the newspaper reporter and Dr. Carrington, the obsessive head of the expedition.

Harry Carey Jr. plays a newspaper reporter and his mother, Olive Carey, is the Fulton's next door neighbour who leaves her infant son to the tender mercies of the Fultons while she runs errands.






64 comments:

  1. In the long and distinguished history of primate performances in film, I'd have to say Esther's ranks up there with the greats: TARZAN THE APE MAN, EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE,and DUNSTON CHECKS IN.

    Odd how so many actors we think of as high-quality thespians (even Marilyn, to an extent) are in this movie with monkeys, acting silly, directed by a legend like Hawks. If this had been made today, it would be considered kiddie fare, and it certainly wouldn't attract actors the caliber of Grant or Rogers unless it was animated.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Esther's has long been an underrated talent. I suspect some (however distant) relation to Josephine, the Capuchin who acted with LLoyd and Keaton.

      I would say the world is not a better place if the quality folk decline to get silly. This is the stuff I call art.

      Delete
  2. This is just a really funny/really silly movie with a great cast, particularly Monroe whose razor-sharp comic timing is as good as Grant's (and that's saying something).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. High praise for Marilyn indeed, and she deserves it. Released the same year as her disturbing performance in Don't Bother to Knock, her versatility was certainly showing.

      Delete
  3. I can't believe I haven't seen this yet! I've seen clips, but not the entire film, which definitely needs to be remedied. Especially with cast like that.

    Your comment about the world being less well off when quality folk refuse to get silly is very wise. It seems like part of the comedy and appeal of Cary Grant was his willingness - handsome and suave as he was - to be silly and not take himself too seriously.

    Thanks so much for joining the blogathon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My pleasure to take part in this blogathon again.

      You are so right about Cary. His willingness to tap into his goofy side may be the greatest part of his appeal. You'll have to check this movie out soon.

      Delete
  4. I've never seen a Marilyn Monroe film. This seems like a good one to start with! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It would be an excellent introduction. Marilyn had strong dramatic chops, but she was also a polished comedienne and this supporting role at the beginning of her career highlights her strength in that area.

      Delete
  5. Everyone is a delight in this film, which doesn't take itself too seriously. My fave performer, though, is the one kid with the gravelly voice. (It's been a while since I've seen this and I forget why he and Grant are in the scene together.)

    This is an excellent choice for the blogathon. Thanks so much for reminding me to see this gem again. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Little George Winslow! A delight indeed. Every adult who worked with him must have realized the kid was stealing every scene. A really fun part of the movie.

      Delete
  6. I love the way the gracious, mature Ginger turns into a firecracker of a tomboy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is one of my favourite of Ginger's performances. She really could do it all, and do it better than many.

      Delete
  7. I was going to make a rather unfunny remark about Grant and the monkey being on the screen at the same time, but I held myself back...:-) Must admit Ginger Rogers sure looks a heck of a lot cuter than I remember, but its been a while since I watched one of her movies. Good review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. H'm. We appreciate your self-control.

      I guess the cycle of movie actresses has come around to Ginger Rogers. There's plenty to choose from, and who knows what new fave you'll find.

      Delete
  8. I love Coburn here. He is every bit as funny as Grant and Rogers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Truly. Coburn was an expert at comedy. I seem to recall reading somewhere that Cary Grant said Coburn got a great kick out of chasing Marilyn with the water gun. Guys!

      Delete
  9. Thanks for the wonderful look at this very enjoyable (and enjoyably silly) film. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My pleasure, and thank you very much for reading. It means a lot.

      Delete
  10. When I was a wee lad, I thought this was a very funny film. I still find it amusing; it certainly looks like everyone involved with it was having a good time, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is one of those movies where it looks like a good time was had by all, isn't it? I think Hawks and Grant must have been very simpatico in the all-important funny bone connection.

      Delete
  11. First, I loved the new look of your blog.
    Second, I love this movie. My favorite part is when Barnaby plays with the kids and wants to get Hank's scalp - it's hilarious!
    You did great once again with your writing.
    Thanks for the kind comment!
    Kisses!
    Le

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for two very charming compliments.

      First, I felt it was time for a change and, second, Cary Grant acting like a kid is one of my favourite things as well.

      Delete
  12. I love your new look! I also enjoyed you reminding me how funny this film is and how important it is that I rewatch it immediately. Right from the opening credits you know you're in for a good time. Plus, who would ever want to resist that cast?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Truly irresistible cast, and that opening. What cheeky fellows were Hawks and Grant!

      Thanks. I rather like my new digs. Think I'll keep them.

      Delete
  13. Ooh, this sounds fun! It's always interesting to see Ginger Rogers in straight comic or dramatic roles--she seemed to like mixing things up. Can't blame her, because musicals were strenuous. Another one for the list. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ginger could do it all! Sometimes I forget that, but Monkey Business is a great reminder of her comedy chops, and Grant a charming co-star.

      Delete
  14. A Chattam and Wells mattress occupies the high-end of the market, ... If you want the best mattress - and you want innerspring - then you ... Best mattresses

    ReplyDelete
  15. For those families who do not have enough space in their house for an extra bed, a sleeper sofa mattress is a very good choice as it serves the dual purpose of providing a sofa in the living room as well as doubling up as a bed in the night. A sofa bed mattress is also a very economical option for a bachelor pad as it saves them valuable space in their small accommodations. With family sizes becoming smaller and living spaces shrinking accordingly, a sleeper sofa mattress offers the best solution since it can easily be transformed. Best mattress

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you for two very charming compliments. First, I felt it was time for a change and, second, Cary Grant acting like a kid is one of my favorite things as well.og whatsapp

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your choice of roofing materials is critical to how long the house will last, how much energy you can save etc. Find out about the different roofing materials available so that you can make an informed choice and get some maintenance tips. Roofing contractors Shreveport, la

    ReplyDelete
  18. Protect yourself when hiring a roofer for your expensive roof replacement project! These suggestions will arm you with the knowledge you need to find the best roofer for your specific roofing project. plumbers glendale

    ReplyDelete
  19. The question of when to buy a new car can pop up into any car owner's mind every now and then. A new car is a good investment when it comes to safety and performance. While having a used car is not a bad thing to have, buying a new car may be better option if you are able to afford it. Automotive Performance Parts

    ReplyDelete
  20. Dergh.com is a social networking website that provides a safe platform for everyone. Our mission is to help people find and share anything from topics to messages. Dergh.com supports public and private messaging, profiles, pictures, search, notification, multimedia, polls and much more connect with people

    ReplyDelete
  21. Whether you plan home improvements all by yourself or by calling in a contractor, it is of ample importance to evaluate if the home improvements you are planning are really worth it. Quality improvements always turn out to be worthy investments, but sometimes, home owners can waste their money and time in projects which really don't add value to their house. Minimalis

    ReplyDelete
  22. Crypto-currency as a modern form of the digital asset has received a worldwide acclaim for easy and faster financial transactions and its awareness among people have allowed them to take more interest in the field thus opening up new and advanced ways of making payments. With the growing demand of this global phenomenon more,new traders and business owners are now willing to invest in this currency platform despite its fluctuating prices however it is quite difficult to choose the best one when the market is full. Crypto trading bot

    ReplyDelete
  23. As the owner of an SEO writing company, one of the services I'm questioned about by clients is social media marketing (SMM). Many clients now "get" this form of online marketing, but they may not know which sites best suit their needs. So what usually happens is they'll hire a consultant to set up accounts on all of them. This usually isn't the best strategy by the way. Following are three pieces of advice I dispense to my firm's small business clients about SMM. If you're a freelancer and provide social media account management services, trust me, you'll go a long way towards proving you know your stuff if you advise clients who may be unclear on how to properly "do" this type of web marketing. Monthly web design packages

    ReplyDelete
  24. If you want to start a business from scratch and are lacking experience in that specific industry then this article is for you to read. Find out the most comprehensive details about starting a fresh business without any experience at all. businessstartup

    ReplyDelete
  25. If you want to start a business from scratch and are lacking experience in that specific industry then this article is for you to read. Find out the most comprehensive details about starting a fresh business without any experience at all. make money online

    ReplyDelete
  26. General information on putting a business plan together, groups that help polish rough draft plans and funding sources to consider once your plan is done. This includes marketing, legal basics, expenditure lists, etc. 9ja news

    ReplyDelete
  27. Before a small business begins the process of looking for a buyer for their business; they must first understand why they want to sell the business. I typically hear retirement for the main reason but I also see partner disputes, estate planning, burn out, and to many other interests. Whatever the reason a small business seller must commit to a process once that decision to sell is made. 출장안마

    ReplyDelete
  28. Any business, whether it is home based or, a large enterprise that employs several individuals, choosing the best broadband deals would go a long way in helping the owner of the business save a great deal in terms of the money as well as the time invested. Irrespective of the nature of the size of the business venture, the number of employees that it employs or the genre of the business, it would need a phone as well as an Internet to operate and function these days. It becomes imperative that business owners thoroughly analyze the existing market and only... 출장마사지

    ReplyDelete
  29. If you want to start a business from scratch and are lacking experience in that specific industry then this article is for you to read. Find out the most comprehensive details about starting a fresh business without any experience at all. Picuki

    ReplyDelete
  30. One thing which never seems to die down will be the hype created by online games. Many might think that the fever of online games has died down, but they couldn't have been more wrong. In fact, online games are most popular today in comparison to what they were a few decades ago. 더원홀덤

    ReplyDelete
  31. When it comes to your business, you must have a strategy for your social media marketing efforts. If you don't have a strategy in place, you will not to really make good progress. At least not the progress that you will make if you do have the strategy working for you. North Carolina SEO

    ReplyDelete
  32. Success with social media marketing services hinges on effective budget allocation and marketing mix decision making. Practitioners and executives must be able to identify the marketing campaigns and assets that help drive the business' top and bottom lines, and invest in and optimize them accordingly. This of course requires access to comprehensive, granular, and accurate web analytics data with which marketers can measure campaign performance and understand the complex website behaviors of prospects and customers. duffdigitalmarketing.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Eventually, every entrepreneur realizes they cannot work in their business forever. For most entrepreneurs, this is the time they begin thinking of exit account bookkeeping

    ReplyDelete
  34. Every company has to figure out how to reach potential customers through the Internet. This can be achieve with a combination of more traditional marketing campaigns online like article marketing or SEO. Social media marketing is among the latest and popular ways to launch business enterprises. purchase youtube subscribers

    ReplyDelete
  35. https://hostinglelo.in There's no denying that video games have become an integral part of the millennial life. This is probably because they allow the gamer to lead an alternate life, full of adventure and challenges. Gaming is a truly global industry today- a $60 billion one.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Did you know that home improvements qualify for deductions on your Federal taxes? Due to current market conditions and the downturn in the real estate markets many homeowners are opting to improve the existing home over upgrading to a new home. outdoor solutions

    ReplyDelete
  37. Find a traditional publisher who will offer you a book contract. This is what most writers have in mind when they think of publishing their book. Do authors pay publishers?

    ReplyDelete
  38. Most businesses think that business funding is something that you need when your business is short on cash or times are hard. A lot of businesses go out looking for business funding when the business is not good. The time to get business funding is not when your business is doing horrible or you are strapped for cash. handgun license texas

    ReplyDelete
  39. Most businesses think that business funding is something that you need when your business is short on cash or times are hard. A lot of businesses go out looking for business funding when the business is not good. The time to get business funding is not when your business is doing horrible or you are strapped for cash. cara memisahkan file pdf

    ReplyDelete
  40. Social Media sites have been present since the last decade. After courting users to their networks for years, Social Media has now focussed its attention on aggressive marketing and advertising. Hence, it is now a favourite space for business owners who are looking to reach out to a large number of people at once that are highly targeted. Although Social Media marketing looks easy to the untrained eye, there is a very complex formula behind every success story in this domain. It is not easy to understand what content would be liked by people, and what would attract users to your business page. That's why many successful companies hire Social Media consultants to manage their Social Media marketing. There are many reasons why you should invest in a Social Media consultant instead of doing it yourself. Let's look at a few! DIGITAL MARKETING CONSULTANT MANCHESTER

    ReplyDelete
  41. Social media marketing has been around long enough for researchers to start to tease out some of the trends in this new marketing medium and to develop ways for assessing whether social media marketing services are delivering on their promises to increase brand awareness and boost business. One of the main trends to emerge over the past couple of years is that marketing budgets are starting to include social networking projects, integrating them with traditional marketing strategies. You may have noticed that public relations agencies are blogging more about social media, and researchers are trying to find ways... SEO COMPANY MANCHESTER

    ReplyDelete
  42. Traditional advertising, such as Yellow Pages, Newspaper Ads, radio, TV, etc... are no longer effective. Customers wants to interact with businesses, not be broadcasted to. Social media marketing is the only marketing strategy that allows businesses to interact with their customers and take advantage of the word of mouth marketing potential that exists in today's web 2.0 platforms. This article will detail how to create and implement a social media marketing strategy that will generate a positive return on investment for your business. WEBSITE DESIGN MANCHESTER

    ReplyDelete
  43. Luxury travelers make different plans compared to the average traveler. They book different hotels and head to different destinations. Are you a luxury traveler? always check these people out

    ReplyDelete
  44. https://onohosting.com The success of your business does not depend entirely on SEO: This is one of the most important points. Do not rely on SEO for generating more revenues and increasing your business reach among the potential buyers. A SEO can drive targeted traffic to your website, however he can not force visitors to buy from you whether its service or any product. The actual SALE entirely depends on your product line, service levels you offer, after sales service, product / service pricing and many other factors. So its unfair to hold SEO professional responsible if you are not getting desired jump in sales even after increase in traffic to your website.

    ReplyDelete
  45. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Cryptosporidium is a somewhat common disease that is diarrheal in nature and is caused by parasites that are microscopic. Once a person or animal contracts the infection, the parasite continues to live on in the intestine and passes into the fecal matter. The parasite itself is protected by an outer shell that enables it to stay alive, even outside of the body, for a long amount of time. euro crypto stablecoin

    ReplyDelete
  47. Have you heard of the word cryptocurrency or virtual currency and how it has been lately? Atencoin is a form of virtual currency that has been developed by National Atencoin (NAC) Foundation. euro backed stablecoin

    ReplyDelete
  48. One of the key steps step towards getting hired for video game jobs involves determining who it is you would like to work for. A big factor in determining this choice will be your own preference of gaming platform, as well as gaming experience. Are you more into online role-playing games, or are you a big Xbox fan? Strategy games, or sports games? f2p for android

    ReplyDelete
  49. PlayStations are an enjoyment hub for their players to go into a virtual world of awesome graphics and sound technologies. If you are playing racing games on PlayStation 2, you will feel that you are driving a car in actual environment. PS2 racing games are one of best which come up with full of enjoyment and virtual reality. ios game for mobile

    ReplyDelete
  50. If your business is doing well in this competitive market, congratulations! You must be doing something right. The question is, is business as good as it could be? A good way to test that theory is to bring in some outside business counsel to scan the landscape and see if there is more you could do to expand and grow even more. daceasy

    ReplyDelete

PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE SAUSALITO SUNRISE

Terence Towles Canote at A Shroud of Thoughts is hosting The 8th Annual Favourite TV Show Episode Blogathon . The popular blogathon is runn...