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Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House

List Price: $19.97
Your Price: $14.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Light comedy full of dark shadows.
Review: Although 'Mr Blandings' has been called an inoffensive comedy for the middle-aged, it is actually quite a dark, sly film. On the surface, it's one of those mild satires on city folks trying to create their ideal in the countryside, only to find crooked farmers, delapidated homesteads and extortionate builders. But the film, made in 1947, pre-empts those great 50s melodramas in its look at masculine dysfunction faced with the needs of family, over-achieving, work, money, the home etc.

Cary Grant works in advertising, that archetypal American job in which fortunes are made despite producing nothing, but whose minions are one punchline away from failure, poverty and madness. The brilliant, near-silent opening sequence shows Grant going through the banal rituals of waking up and going to work, only to find himself defeated at every turn by the things - family and home - he is supposed to be working for, leading to a loss in identity and authority figured in the shaving/mirror scene. Even Potter's filming here, emphasising the domestic space as cramped and obstacle-laden, conspires against him. The fact that escape from this world based on advertising is prompted by an advertisement suggests a vicious circle rather than true freedom.

To compound Grant's woes is Melvyn Douglas, the film's smug narrator, a former flame of Myrna Loy who keeps popping in, organising things, undermining Grant's ability to run his own family. There are tantalising, unresolved suggestions that the impish Loy and Douglas are still conducting an affair. As the bills mount, the creativity with which Grant needs to survive economically, dries up.

Situations primed for comedy here would, in less than a decade, be material for trauma in films like Nick Ray's 'Bigger than life'. There are also satiric digs at national history, and the continued exploitation of racial minorities. Needless to say, the acting of the three leads, the greatest comedians Hollywood ever produced, is subtle, playful, discreet, hilarious, and, most importantly, reticent.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A really Entertaining film.
Review: This is a must see. It's funny and has a great storyline. Great for the entire family. I highly recommend this film.
It's really wonderful!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Another Favorite Grant Film
Review: As a huge fan of Cary Grant, Mr. Blandings Builds his Dream House is among my all time favorites. Cary Grant & Myrna Loy are irrestible in this charming tale of a married couple with two daughters who decide to build their dream home. Grant, who is reluctant to build the dream house from the onset, gets more then he bargained for, and enough mishaps to cause him endless grief. The way Grant and Loy play off one another is phenominal. He plays a tough, grumpy husband who is a softy at heart that gives into his wife's wishes. She plays the sweet, innocent wife who knows how to charm her way into getting what she wants. With a ton of laughs and a lot of good old fashioned comedy, the Blandings family will leave you charmed.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Cream Puff and Peerless
Review: A real comedy with a superb cast that is smooth to watch and enjoy again and again.

Cary and Mryna decide to buy a house in Connecticut and move out of Manhattan for good. We and their family are in store for the fun and madness.

Emory Parnell discussing indoor colors with Loy is a treat, Harry Shannon as the well driller is very funny. We even get a chance to see Lex Barker( before Tarzan) as a carpenter. Mel Douglas manages to have fun with everyone so what can one say...deft acting and a gem!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Funny!
Review: This is a wonderful film that stars Cary Grant and Myrna Loy as a city couple who decide to trade the hustle and bustle of the city for a more quiet life in the suburbs. But a comedy of errors occurs that changes all of that. This is a hilarious film that also stars the handsome Melvyn Douglas (Theodora Goes Wild) and the talented Louise Beavers. This is a must have for Cary Grant and/or Myrna Loy fans. You don't have to be a homeowner to enjoy this funny film. The hilarious situations and the chemistry of its stars are enough to make for an enjoyable viewing experience.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Important How-not-to for all remodelers
Review: This is mandatory viewing for anyone who is thinking about building a house or remodeling. It provides a catalog of many of the things you can do wrong including: not understanding the real-estate market you are in; rebuilding a wreck; not understanding your existing loan obligations; not consulting your attorney when you should; not trusting your experts; trusting your experts too much; the perils of making changes in plans, etc., etc.

Oh, and it's funny too, without the mean spirit of modern treatements of the same subject.

Unfortunately, a little dated (the maid, the clueless but adoring wife) in ways that are now unintentionally humourous.

Too bad no dvd.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: THIS IS A GREAT MOVIE!
Review: ....Anyone who loves old movies will love Mr. Blandings. It is funny throughout. Grant and Loy are at their best here. Everything and Anything that can possibly go wrong, DOES!! Cary Grant has to be one of America's favorite actors. He is certainly my absolute favorite comic actor. And Myrna Loy is as charming as ever. She has always been a "class act". Loy is equally as fun in the THIN MAN movie series.
.....I only wish it were out on DVD. If you collect video, but it NOW! This is a flick that you can see over & over again.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Wood Shed
Review: Anyone who would put Shelly Long and Tom Hanks on the same planet as Loy and Grant should be taken to the wood shed for rethinking.

This film is nuance and fun throughout..with Melvin Douglas and Emory Parnell and even Lex Barker and watch for Harry Shannon as the well driver Fun.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Pre-Color Money Pit
Review: Although this movie starts out a bit dull (due to actors' lack of comedic timing or poor direction?), it winds up being pretty funny. Stereotypical by today's standards, it's hard to overlook the full-time maid and stay at home wife of a family who has financial challenges. The script and acting abilities, though, saved the film from total hopelessness.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The (Superior) Inspiration for "The Money Pit"
Review: One of the finest film comedies of all time, and as sublime in its way as "It's A Wonderful Life." Not to be missed!


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