Tag: Mary Wickes

THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER (1941)

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Directed By: William Keighley 

Written By: Julius J. Epstein & Philip G. Epstein

Based On The Stage Play By: George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart

Cinematography: Tony Gaudio

Editor: Jack Killifer 

Cast: Monty Woolley, Ann Sheridan, Bette Davis, Jimmy Durante, Richard Travis, Billie Burke, Reginald Gardiner, Elisabeth Fraser, Grant Mitchell, Mary Wickes 

Sheridan Whiteside, an eccentric and acid-tongued radio lecturer, is disabled on the doorstep of a prominent Ohio family and must remain confined to the unwilling family’s home for a few days. Discovering what he believes to be problems within the household, hatches a plot to fix all of the household’s problems. 

Sherry then proceeds to find out that his leg is fine so he bribes the doctor to declare him unfit to leave for a few weeks so he can meddle with the lives of the members of the household. But has he made a mistake?

While you definitely notice the film’s theater origins as a play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. 

The highlights of the movie are the main character of the movie played by Monty Woolley. Even in a film with two female superstars of the time Anne Sheridan and Bettie Davis. He is the one who is given the most screen time and the best laughs.

Ann Sheridan at least gets chances for her character to join in on the comedy. Bettie Davis plays an important character but barely gets anything to really do. As she is more of a straight woman throughout. 

Woolley’s character is acid-tongued and insults almost everyone around him. He is an intellectual snob who believes he is better than everyone. While it is never particularly said he seems to also be homosexual. The film makes it seem that he is different in taste and class than his wealthy benefactors whose house he slips in front of and is forced to put up with him. While they put him up.

Throughout he causes all sorts of trouble for the family particularly the matriarch and in true selfish fashion. When his assistant played by David falls in love. He tries to sabotage it not because he is in love with his assistant but for her companionship. One could see it as he has been made to feel like an outsider all of his life because of his style, intelligence, and decor. 

So now he is taking it out on everyone who is considered normal and hetero to a degree. As no one is safe from his tongue lashings. Most accept them as they aren’t aware they are being insulted, others who do can only bluster as they know they can’t do anything about it. Those Who try to verbally spar often lose. Even his accomplices tend to switch sides or he turns on them at least once or twice.

He is technically the villain but also the centerpiece and most interesting character that you end up loving to hate him or hate to love him.

It might as well be a one-man show. As Monty Woolley shines in every scene and takes over. Most characters in this movie talk a mile a minute and so does the action and jokes at times. As it is a kind of screwball comedy. He is the main focus even telegenic the film tries to throw some sight gags and physical comedy in the mix it feels like leftover from the fresh and sharp dialogue. So that anytime it leaves him or focuses on another character. It slows down and becomes a bit dull.

The only other person in the film who truly steals scenes is Jimmy Durante and his antics who come into the film in the third act as another accomplice of Woolley’s He gives the film much-needed energy. As Durante on screen is so energetic it’s like he drank 12 lattes before each take. His appearance is a late great surprise. 

Ultimately the film is entertaining and can see why It’s Considered a classic. Though It’s not as strong as one would hope if it wasn’t for the main role. This film would feel rather basic. It might be the direction or presentation overall. 

Grade: B 

SISTER ACT 2: BACK IN THE HABIT (1993)

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Directed By: Bill Duke
Written By: James Orr, Jim Cruickshank & Judi Ann Mason
Based On Characters created By: Joseph Howard
Cinematography By: Oliver Wood
Editor: Stuart Pappe, Pem Harring & John Carter

Cast: Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, Wendy Makkena, Kathy Najimy, Mary Wickes, Barnard Hughes, James Coburn, Michael Jeter, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Lauryn Hill, Robert Pastorelli, Alanna Ubach, Ryan Toby, Jenifer Lewis

The sisters come back to Delores’s show to get her back as Sister Mary Clarence to teach music to a group of students in their parochial school which is doomed for closure. One of the girls, who is the most talented of the bunch, is forbidden to sing by her mother, although the choir has made it to the state championship. A group of stereotypical incompetent monks tries to stop them.

The film never seems to shake its beginning. It starts with a vegas stage show and the whole film feels the same way as production. That is glossy and slick and never feels real while it tries to impart a message. Though it comes off as hammy as a hallmark presentation movie. Put on the big screen full of cliché. In fact, Whoopi Goldberg hated making the first one though it revitalized her career one of the reasons she decided to appear in the sequel was that Disney agreed to finance her dream project SARAFINA. If she made this film. 


The film makes no sense half the time whereas at the end of the original Whoppi Goldberg’s character seemed to be world-famous and here she is a vegas star. Though no one seems to recognize her when she dons the habit. (Hence the title) to become a nun again to teach inner-city children. Even the administration.  One of the few pleasing aspects of this film is that it seems more of a film to highlight fresh new talent in acting and performance. In fact, this was the first time I remember seeing singer Lauryn Hill. She has practically the near lead out of all the students and Ryan Toby of the R & B group City High. 


I guess it was more intended for family audiences. Whereas the first one was also but played more for the adults. This one seems more aimed at teenagers. It takes place in the inner city but is the nicest inner city you’ll ever see. In fact, Lauryn Hill’s plotline involving her mother made no sense. it only seems to be here for false conflict. 


 The recognizable big-name cast in the film. That is cast in small supporting roles. Seem here to add marquee value to the dwindling film. Making the film look more respectable. Though the actors are only here for a fast paycheck and also so they can be in a film that looked to be a slam dunk at the box office. Though it is nice to see them they only add to the gloss and make the film shiny while never cutting deep. 

 I will tell the truth I am a fan of the first film. In fact, it still holds the record for the movie I saw the most in theaters (As well as such films as PULP FICTION, HEAT, THE BIRDCAGE and GET SHORTY) SISTER ACT was PG-13 and I could actually go see it without a parent. I also remember all my friends and family wanting to see it. So I would volunteer to see it with them. The film was very charming to me. It was also cute and funny. When I didn’t ask too much about my entertainment and art. When this film first came out I liked it. I didn’t hate it. In fact, I still don’t. Just watching it now is so disappointing. It hasn’t aged well at all. Though I doubt it was ever really good. It seems like a film that tries hard to be hip and meaningful but was played out even before it went to theaters. 

It plays like a film that is only interested in making money for its brand and seems like they tried hard to try to come up with a reason for a sequel. Though the answer wasn’t really that good. I still find it to be a mild guilty pleasure as it reminds me of the time that it came out. I did like the film and its music I even bought the soundtrack and think Lauryn Hill’s rendition of His Eye is on the sparrow is spectacular and haunting.  Wait for Television,     

This is one of the last times I feel Whoopi Goldberg really gave of herself and put in a performance. No matter how much she seems on autopilot here at least she looks like she is trying and engaging. Especially considering the material. 

 GRADE: D+