Comwayon
A Disappointing Continuation
Kirandeep Yoder
The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.
Philippa
All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
jotix100
A theatrical producer, Russ Ward, is facing a crisis. His last plays have not fared well with the public, and a new project by a well known playwright, who is facing a writing crisis, makes life impossible for Ward. When he thinks everything is lost, he gets an unexpected help by his own secretary, Elly, who on top of that, has loved him silently. Elly has an idea that might help the play, and is an inspiration because she, too, can act.To complicate matters, Kathryn, Russ's former wife, figures the romance from the younger woman toward her ex-husband, and although they have remained in friendly terms, she does not appear to be happy with their possible union. As the play opens, it becomes a hit, and Gordon, the leading man, who has loved Elly, all along, finds a way to her heart even though she is still thinking about Russ. Everything is resolved at the end when Elly realizes that Gordon really cares for her.The source of this comedy was a play by Samson Raphaelson, and adapted for the screen by John Mitchell Hayes. The direction is by Walter Lang, a veteran of Hollywood, who had a long career in the industry. The basic flaw with the film was the casting of Carroll Baker, who had made a sensation in Elia Kazan's "Baby Doll". She was terribly miscast as Elly, resulting in a dull reading of her character. On the other hand, Lilli Palmer makes a delicious appearance and almost steal the film, had her role been bigger. Clark Gable is not too convincing as Russ Ward, or Lee J. Cobb, one of the best actors of the American cinema, is also wasted. Charles Lane, and Thomas Gomez have some good moments.
lowenahouse
Along with "Teacher's Pet," "But Not For Me" is a topnotch showcase for Gable's talent for deft self-deprecation. Following heroic service in World War II (for which he was decorated), and the tragedy of wife Carole Lombard's death while entertaining with a USO troupe, he has matured as both a person and an actor. The personality remains appealing, unique even, but he is now a former superstar charmingly twitting his image as mega-heartthrob in decades of earlier film roles. Lilli Palmer plays his ironic and amused ex-wife in this sophisticated, intelligent romance. It's light comedy but (as with Powell & Loy's "The Thin Man") good writing and masterly acting elevate froth to satisfying entertainment.
kyle_furr
A poor attempt at comedy. The plot has Gable as an over the hill producer who is about to quit when he has a new idea for a play that came from his secretary, who is in love with him, even though she is 22 and he is past 50. There still is more to the plot, but who cares, it's not in the least bit funny and Gable does a pretty poor job. Lee J. Cobb is the only one who is good in here and there's not much else to say about it.
Robert D. Ruplenas
(Possible spoiler) A disappointing movie. The romantic relationship between Ward/ Gable and Brown/Baker is never really believable, due as much to the script as to the performances. Also, watching Gable closely in this flick it is hard for me to understand his near-legendary status as an actor ; although he projects a certain insouciant charm, his style is very mannered and artificial, the very antithesis of Method. Having someone like Claudette Colbert to play against, as in "It Happened One Night", helps him, but the presence of the truly awful Carrol Baker as his inamorata only brings out the worst in both of them. The best performances in the movie are unquestionably those of the second-billers - Lee J. Cobb as the has-been playwright and Lilli Palmer as Ward's ex. The running theme of Gable/Ward dealing with his advancing years - the alarm clock for his pills, the way his age keeps changing each time he announces it - is entertainingly done. And let's face it, you just knew from the start he was going to get back with Kathyryn/Lilli, didn't you??? (An interesting insight into the change in social mores in forty years is provided by Gable/Ward's observation that it was illegal for an unmarried couple to book a single cabin on a liner)
