Granny Get Your Gun (1940)

"Granny Get Your Gun" is an old-fashioned star vehicle, in the sense that the star (in this case, May Robson) is in about 90% of the scenes, and all the other characters are supporting. Luckily, Robson is a delight, especially in a courtroom sequence where she switches from "sweet old lady" to "tough old broad" at the drop of a hat. I also liked the little mystery clues that are planted and come into play later on. At 56 minutes, the film is just the right length - it does not outstay its welcome. **1/2 out of 4.

What an actress May Robson was – this time out she shows how deft she was at comedy. Robson's comments about- and to - her great granddaughter are particularly amusing as is her court scene. Her character, Minerva Hatton returns to Nevada to be with her granddaughter who is in Nevada getting a divorce from her odious husband played by Hardie Albright (who plays his role to a tee). Years earlier Minerva had lived in Nevada and made a bundle of money there during the boom years. She also retained the skills she learned there such as how to use a gun (she's a crack shot) and her country way of being plain spoken. She still has a lot of friends there including Nate Paulson (Harry Davenport), an attorney and Smokey (Clem Bevans), an office gopher and big fan of true detective magazines. A murder occurs and Minerva, Nate, and Smokey must find the killer. And they do. It was so refreshing seeing oldsters as the lead actors - and they were so entertaining. I do hope to be able to get a copy of this movie – it was delightful.

This comedy/drama is done in the style of a "Frank Capra" movie. Mary Robson plays a resourceful "granny" (Minerva Hatton) who is trying to protect her granddaughter from being hung up on a "murder" charge. She is being defended by an old attorney friend (Nate Paulson) played by Harry Davenport. Minerva and Nate are a 2 headed Columbo who won't stop until they get to the truth. Granny is a very independent and forceful woman for her time. She is very persuasive and usually gets her way. Her character is the true definition of what "feminism" should have been then and now for that matter. Her character is not afraid to step on toes once in a while. The ends surely justifies the means here. Her movie sidekicks are all the familiar faces from that genre of movies in the late 30's, early 40's. While this movie is short in length, it really packs a punch and keeps you riveted. The editing in this movie is very good for its time and should have been nominated. This movie has all the right elements that work together for it to work successfully. I would have hoped that this may have developed into a series like that of the "Thin Man". Unfortunately, Mary Robson died 2 years after this movie was released, on October 20th, 1942. She has the notoriety of being the oldest born actress (1856) to ever be nominated for an academy award (Lady for a day-directed by Frank Capra). This is a movie that everyone could enjoy. Please check this out, you won't be disappointed.

One of the many "B" movies done in the 1940's--very enjoyable and also very short in its length--less than an hour long!! May Robson and a group of familiar character actors (if you watch many of the old black and white films) are great in this film. All about Miss Robson taking the blame for a murder that she thought her granddaughter did and then finding out who the real murderer is. Like I said, very enjoyable and a treat to watch. Would be great to watch this with someone and you can "pass the popcorn"!! LOL