Charley's Aunt (1941)

Forget about American or English accents in this film. The attempts themselves even add to the humor – almost as though they were contrived to have that effect. Forget that this was a stage play first, and that much of this movie seems as though it were filmed on stage. Forget about critiquing the qualities of the production. All of those things are OK here, but they're of little substance. Rather, the content, the plot and the characters and actors are what make "Charley's Aunt" a truly great film. It's one of the funniest, most outlandish comedies ever made into a move.Every scene in this film has some humor. Most are hilarious. Each character contributes deliciously to the plot. All of the cast are excellent in their roles. And what a marvelous cast 20th Century Fox assembled for this romp around Oxford. Jack Benny is the quintessential actor to play the lead double role of Lord Babbs Babberley and the stand-in Donna Lucia d'Alvadorez. His scenes as Donna Lucia with Stephen Spettigue are over the top hilarious. Spettigue is a money-grubbing, gold-digger who only wants to marry Donna Lucia for her money. And, he won't let his niece or her friend and his ward, Amy and Kitty, out of his clutches until he finds a replacement or better income for his stewardship. The talented Edmund Gwenn plays Spettigue, a role so out of character from his 1947 Kris Kringle that won him an Oscar for "Miracle on 34th Street." It's hard to believe this is the same actor, but he's a riot in every scene here. Reginald Owen is very funny as Dean Redcliff. The number of physical clashes he has with Babbs and Babbs as Donna Lucia are hilarious. Richard Haydn and James Ellison play schoolmates of Babbs (who is now in his tenth year at Oxford), Charley Wyckham and Jack Chesney. They have their eyes on Amy and Kitty, played by Anne Baxter and Arleen Whelan. The girls have some wonderfully funny lines in helping the boys propose to them. Laird Cregar plays Jack's dad, Sir Francis Chesney. He has a riotously funny scene with Babbs as Donna Lucia, before he learns the truth. They play grab the whiskey bottle until it finally falls off the table and spills. Finally, Kay Francis lends some charm to the whole affair, with knowing approval after she recognizes Babbs as her pretender. She's the real Donna Lucia, and she has gone undercover to visit Oxford and check on the girl whom her nephew, Charley, wants to marry. She had heard from the Babberley law firm – headed by Babbs' uncle, that there are gold diggers on the prowl to marry young men who are wealthy or who may come into riches one day. The beautiful Donna Lucia had married a wealthy Brazilian, and he had died a while back. A frequent line occurs in the film about Brazil that brings a laugh every time. Charley, Babbs and others say it – "Brazil … where the nuts come from." This movie has many comedic twists. Donna Lucia is attracted to Babbs, and the hilarious film has laughs at every turn. Babbs holds all the parts together in his frantic changes between characters. Watching this marvelous comedy is a sure bet for an evening of laughter.

what a riot this film is,once it gets going.the first 30 minutes are just the setup.from that point on,it's gas.Benny is hysterical in drag.i laughed my but off at his hi-jinks.i even had tears in my eyes at times.this is surely a classic.if not,it should be.Jack Benny of course takes centre stage here,but the supporting performances are very good,as well.it's based on a very successful stage play,but it translates well to the screen.it's also been made into a movie at least once before.if you're a Jack Benny fan,you can't afford to miss this gem.even if you're not a fan of Jack Benny,or don't even know who he is,you should catch this film for the great writing and the slapstick.and it's a good introduction to Benny.for me,Charley's Aunt is a 9/10

Once one accepts the archaically broad comedy conventions at play, this is a very funny film adaptation of the celebrated cross-dressing farce (Joshua Logan's contemporaneous stage version had starred Jose' Ferrer!). Legendary comedian Jack Benny stars as a British lord and longtime Oxford student(!) who is forced by his best friends (James Ellison and a debuting Richard Haydn) to pose as the latter's wealthy Brazilian aunt in order to act as chaperon when meeting their girlfriends. Initially, the uncle (Edmund Gwenn) of one of the girls (a thankless role for Anne Baxter) is contrary to their union but soon changes his tune when he realizes whom Haydn is related to; however, he has to contend with the amorous rivalry of Ellison's own penniless father (Laird Cregar – who, at 25, was younger than his on screen son but, nevertheless, convincingly plays a 51-year old roué)! The fine cast is rounded up by Kay Francis (quite lovely as Charley's real aunt), Reginald Owen (amusing as the hapless Dean) and Claud Allister (hilariously appearing at the start as one of two unperturbed gentlemen spectators at an accident-prone cricket match). Not everything works, alas: Gwenn's character arch from stern guardian to undignified fortune hunter is as hard to take as the bland romance between Baxter and Haydn but, ultimately, Jack Benny's frenzied comic antics triumph over such hurdles.An interesting extra on the CHARLEY'S AUNT DVD is this fun promotional short which is very rare for films of its era. It finds star Jack Benny taking time off for lunch at the Fox studio mess hall, when he runs first into Tyrone Power and then Randolph Scott. Naturally, they all start talking about their current action-packed projects – with Power enthusiastic about his latest romantic flagwaver A YANK IN THE R.A.F. (1941) and Scott ditto about the Technicolored Western BELLE STARR (1941). However, Benny makes things up in an effort to avoid discussing his current gender-bending role…though he's not helped by the fact that, from time to time, a bellboy turns up with various parts of his feminine outfit seeking the star's approval! When he eventually confesses, it's Power and Scott's turn to sulk as they bemoan their typecasting as rugged action stars and admit to craving juicy parts such as Benny always gets; indeed, for the latter (and the audience's) benefit, they provide background detail about the "Charley's Aunt" play – including the fact that it's one of the most popular (and hilarious) pieces ever written.

This is the type of classic movie that should be released on DVD as soon as possible! Fans of turn-of-the-century style English Farce will want to add it to their collection. Jack Benny is superb as is the rest of the cast of this black and white classic that must be seen to be appreciated. 20th Century Fox, PLEASE add this movie to your collection of classic films.