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Rating: 
Summary: Burns & Allen only guests in "their" movies but Gracie sings
Review: Vaudeville and radio stars George Burns and Gracie Allen seldom starred in their movies; they were usually comedy relief or part of an all-star format. This DVD features the only two "Burns & Allen" features, and at times you'll think they're merely guest stars, because they aren't always the center of attention. HERE COMES COOKIE (which does NOT feature the hit tune of that name) has tycoon George Barbier discouraging fortune hunters, by temporarily entrusting his money to scatterbrained Gracie, much to secretary George's consternation. Gracie promptly turns the mansion into a theatrical flophouse! You might be scratching your head at some of this -- it wanders from scene to scene haphazardly and sometimes abruptly -- but there are some good gags and Gracie sings a Latin number, "The Vamp of the Pampas." A fun little quickie, accent on "little." LOVE IN BLOOM (which does not feature the title song but DOES feature "Here Comes Cookie" sung by Gracie -- typical Gracie Allen logic!) is the story of hard-boiled Dixie Lee (Mrs. Bing Crosby) and softhearted Joe Morrison trying to get along in the big city. Joe Morrison (in a role perhaps intended for Bing) has a pleasant manner and a very easy way with dialogue; he should have gone farther in pictures. Burns & Allen are the nominal stars but they appear only occasionally as a couple of carnival employees. SIX OF A KIND is a 63-minute exercise in frustration directed by Leo McCarey. Burns & Allen play traveling companions from hell, who make a cross-country automobile trip miserable for Charlie Ruggles and Mary Boland. W. C. Fields and Alison Skipworth are seen in the second half as a shifty sheriff and a hotel proprietor. Director McCarey concentrates on all the cruel and terrible complications, making Gracie unsympathetic instead of charming. Fields does his celebrated "pool table" routine, but it's Charlie Ruggles who steals the film with his understated reactions and remarks. Universal deserves applause for releasing these seldom-seen comedies from the vault. The three features are all on one single-sided disc, with no apparent loss in quality. Movie buffs will enjoy the set; those who only care about George and Gracie will have to sit through (or fast-forward through) a lot of other stuff, but the Burns & Allen routines are worth waiting for. Excellent picture and sound quality throughout.
Rating:
Summary: Burns & Allen only guests in "their" movies but Gracie sings
Review: Vaudeville and radio stars George Burns and Gracie Allen seldom starred in their movies; they were usually comedy relief or part of an all-star format. This DVD features the only two "Burns & Allen" features, and at times you'll think they're merely guest stars, because they aren't always the center of attention. HERE COMES COOKIE (which does NOT feature the hit tune of that name) has tycoon George Barbier discouraging fortune hunters, by temporarily entrusting his money to scatterbrained Gracie, much to secretary George's consternation. Gracie promptly turns the mansion into a theatrical flophouse! You might be scratching your head at some of this -- it wanders from scene to scene haphazardly and sometimes abruptly -- but there are some good gags and Gracie sings a Latin number, "The Vamp of the Pampas." A fun little quickie, accent on "little." LOVE IN BLOOM (which does not feature the title song but DOES feature "Here Comes Cookie" sung by Gracie -- typical Gracie Allen logic!) is the story of hard-boiled Dixie Lee (Mrs. Bing Crosby) and softhearted Joe Morrison trying to get along in the big city. Joe Morrison (in a role perhaps intended for Bing) has a pleasant manner and a very easy way with dialogue; he should have gone farther in pictures. Burns & Allen are the nominal stars but they appear only occasionally as a couple of carnival employees. SIX OF A KIND is a 63-minute exercise in frustration directed by Leo McCarey. Burns & Allen play traveling companions from hell, who make a cross-country automobile trip miserable for Charlie Ruggles and Mary Boland. W. C. Fields and Alison Skipworth are seen in the second half as a shifty sheriff and a hotel proprietor. Director McCarey concentrates on all the cruel and terrible complications, making Gracie unsympathetic instead of charming. Fields does his celebrated "pool table" routine, but it's Charlie Ruggles who steals the film with his understated reactions and remarks. Universal deserves applause for releasing these seldom-seen comedies from the vault. The three features are all on one single-sided disc, with no apparent loss in quality. Movie buffs will enjoy the set; those who only care about George and Gracie will have to sit through (or fast-forward through) a lot of other stuff, but the Burns & Allen routines are worth waiting for. Excellent picture and sound quality throughout.
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