You Can't Run Away from It (1956)

It's a shame that it is so much like It happened one night, only to turn out to be very little like it, in mood or feeling. It is fun to compare both but that is also short lived and disappointing because of the very mediocre songs. June is OK as the spoiled rich girl and Jack Lemmon brings a new dimension to the tough journalist role. He is much sweeter than Clark. But he isn't the rogue that is needed for this role.It is glossier than the original and being in color doesn't make it any better or worse.You will enjoy it more if you haven't seen the other movie or you don't compare it.

A rather benign affair with June Allyson being directed by husband Dick Powell.A year after being rejected to play Lillian Roth in the fabulous "I'll Cry Tomorrow," Allyson made this film which made the best of her limited acting range. While it's true that she made an impression in "The Shrike," she was best suited for light comedy as in "Woman's World." (1954)In this film she is cast with Jack Lemmon. She plays a madcap heiress almost in the way that Katharine Hepburn would have played it up against Cary Grant. Fleeing from a gruff, tyrannical father who has kidnapped her following her marriage to a play-boy, Allyson meets reporter Peter Warne (Lemmon) on the bus and the usual inane antics follow with the two realizing that they were meant for each other. Charles Bickford is the father and ironically, 6 years later, he would appear again with Lemmon in the much acclaimed drama "The Days of Wine and Roses."The talents of Stubby Kaye and Henny Youngman are wasted here in a one scene bus song, where the former tries to rally the passengers on the bus from boredom. He probably knew what the rest of the picture held for the songs are inane as Lemmon and Miss Allyson mouth their way through.Allyn Joslyn, veteran actor of the 1930s, appears as a harried head reporter. Look for 2 scenes with Elvia Allman, as a nasty innkeeper.The ending becomes similar to "The Philadelphia Story," as Allyson realizes who her true lover is. Totally predictable with mediocre results. I rate this **1/2, the same rating that The Daily News gave "It Happened One Night" in 1934.

For fans of "It Happened One Night," it's fun to see how they remade it in the 50's, in Technicolor, and as a quasi-musical.The young Jack Lemmon is a delight to see, and it would have been stupid to try to follow Clark Gable's act--no one could.The oddball casting has June Allyson playing the Claudette Colbert role, but since June was producer/director Dick Powell's wife, it's comprehensible. June had a lot of appeal in many of her roles, but sexy she wasn't; she was more the girl next door, or the long-suffering, proper wife. Here, playing a post-debutante, June was, in real life, pushing 40. The supposedly sexy scenes had that sanitized 50's feel to them, and the chemistry between the two stars was minimal.But June makes the movie in the scene where they sleep in a field, as she sings & dances to a scarecrow, with moves that would have done Donald O'Connor proud. Such energy & wit, paired with her funny, froggy voice, are a delight. Who knew she had all this talent hidden away?There's a lot to enjoy, even though, like nearly all remakes, it falls a bit short.

These oldies are so great and love is love at any time. For Christ sake DVD them. Jack Lemon and June Allyson were the best. We need to revive them. I have been living in Brazil for the last 40 years. I saw this movie when I was a kid and I never forgot the song "You can't run Away from it". Fantastic comedy, fantastic actors, Fantastic time. Those who make the DVD industry, bring these good times back to us. They could take these old films and turn them into some kind of collectors items. Most of those who lived then are still here. We would like to show our kids and grandkids what it was like back at that time. June Allyson and Jack Lemon were not so different from Julia Roberts and Clive Owens or any others actors of today. Come on, bring back the good old times. I miss them so much.