Hi Diddle Diddle (1943)

This film tries very, very hard trying about to be funny--perhaps a bit too hard. However, in spite of this it's still a pretty decent comedy and one that is a little better than just a time-passer.The film begins with Dennis O'Keefe arriving late at his wedding to Martha Scott. However, just before the ceremony, O'Keefe is told that his new ditsy mother-in-law (Billie Burke) has just lost her entire fortune. So, with the help of his rather larcenous father, O'Keefe spends most of his 48-hour leave racing about town to win back Burke's fortune. It's all very frantic and some of the comedy works well and some falls a bit flat. However, if you don't mind the occasional lulls, the overall film is lively and fun. I particularly was fascinated by the final scene--as it is both bad and wildly creative at the same time! As far as the acting goes, Adolph Menjou was nice as was O'Keefe. I do wish that Burke had tried something other than her usual ditz role, however, as after a lot of similar roles it was wearing a bit thin. Overall, it's worth a look.

Sonny Phyffe (Dennis O'Keefe), a sailor with a conquest in every port, is three hours late to his wedding to Janie Prescott (Martha Scott), whose mother is the very wealthy and scatterbrained Liza Prescott (Billie Burke). Liza harbors doubts about Sonny's sincerity. Sonny is anxious about the wedding because he only has two days ashore before he has to report back to his ship. But minutes before the wedding Mrs. Prescott confesses that she has lost her fortune, swindled out of it by a high society clot who is determined to wed Janie himself. But now that sly old scoundrel, Col. Hector Phyffe (Adolphe Menjou), who is Sonny's father, steps forward and says he'll put things right. All he needs is a few hours. The Colonel, however, is married to the opera diva Genya Smetana (Pola Negri). He hasn't a dime of his own. She keeps him on a short lease. He must do what he does best, come up with a series of improbable schemes and stratagems to replace Mrs. Prescott's fortune. All the while the clock is ticking. Will the Colonel somehow find a way to get back Liza Prescott's money? Will Liza with her ditzy behavior make things better or worse? Will Sonny and Janie work their way through this maze of mix-ups and into bed before Sonny has to leave? Will there at last be a consummation devoutly to be wished, especially by Sonny and Janie. If this sounds like screwball comedy, it tries hard to be and sometimes succeeds. Menjou keeps the wheels spinning. Burke's character may not be as flighty as Billie Burke. Pola Negri, a great silent star, at 49 is stunning. She could easily pass as Hedy Lamar's slightly older sister. June Havoc has a funny featured role and a couple of songs. What Hi Diddle Diddle really has going for it is a clever twist that is well disguised and two accomplished actors who were right at home with light comedy, Adolphe Menjou and Dennis O'Keefe. Menjou was never better than playing a man of the world who has seen all the tricks and mastered most of them himself. He moved from a major leading man in the silents (A Woman of Paris, 1923) to a master portrayer of amusing rogues, charlatans, fathers and lawyers. He was at his best as the shyster lawyer Billy Flynn in Roxie Hart, 1942. As an old man he still knew what he was doing. His portrayal of Mr. Pendergast, an irascible recluse in Pollyanna, 1960, is touching, amusing and believable. I doubt if there was ever a Hollywood leading man, other than Cary Grant, who was as good at light comedy as Dennis O'Keefe. He paid his dues in countless unbilled bits in the Thirties, moved up to second billings and then lead roles in the Forties and early Fifties, but was never able to establish himself in big A movies. He was a tall, handsome guy who could play puzzled bumpkins, tough G-men, doomed noir heroes and nice guys. If you have the time, watch him in these: As Jerry Manning in The Leopard Man, 1943; as Monty Brewster in Brewster's Millions, 1945; as Joe Sullivan in Raw Deal, 1948; as Sam Donovan in Cover Up, 1949; and as Danny Leggett in Woman on the Run, 1950.

A B film but a very funny comedy starring Martha Scott and Dennis O'Keefe as newlyweds who get caught up in the schemes of daddy (Adolphe Menjou) as he tries to win back mama's (Billie Burke) money at a crooked roulette wheel. Not much on plot but very funny with Menjou's opera singer wife (Pola Negri in her first American film in more than a decade)) singing Wagner at any given moment.The film rushes between standard comedy and weird comments to the camera. There's also a running gag about an actress who is only in the film because she's dating the director. And then there's that animated wallpaper.Co-Stars include June Havoc, who steals the film as a nightclub singer who at one point sings a duet with herself, Walter Kingsford, Bess Flowers, Barton Hepburn, Georges Metaxa, Paul Porcasi, Harry Tyler, Matt McHugh, and Bert Roach. as the flustered cab rider.The real interest here is of course Pola Negri in a talkie ... and she's very funny indeed and looks great.

HI DIDDLE DIDDLE is one of those pictures that, because it has fallen into public domain, is almost always seen in dreadful dupe prints. Well, don't let that dissuade you from seeing this picture. It is one of the fastest-paced, downright hilarious comedies of the early 40's. The combination of sharp dialogue and impeccable characterizations make this a real winner. Here is Dennis O'Keefe at his farceur best. He's a sailor-on-leave-bridegroom who spends his wedding night doing everything EXCEPT what he's supposed to be doing. Adolph Menjou is his pop, a conniver (not Connover this time!) who pledges to help Dennis' mom-in-law, dizzy Billie Burke, regain her fortune. Menjou is married to Pola Negri, a domineering Wagnerian opera singer. June Havoc is a lady friend of Menjou's and is she hot! They're all a riot. One of my favorite bits is when waiter Joe Devlin, taking Billie's order at a night club, does a double take and walks away. Billie exclaims - "He did a double take - just like in the movies!" Then Billie, Martha Scott (the bride), Walter Kingsford and Barton Hepburn all proceed to practice doing double takes. Devlin gets a gander at this and does - A DOUBLE TAKE! A wonderful musical moment is June Havoc singing alongside herself in a Panaogram Soundie machine. Composer Richard Hageman, who also appears in director Andrew Stone's SENSATIONS OF 1945, does a very wry bit as a brokerage firm president.If you need a laugh - see HI DIDDLE DIDDLE by any and all means!