This movie is so unlike the rest of the Astaire and Rogers films. Instead of the usual pacing and sophistication, this film is more screwball comedy than musical. In fact, the songs and dance numbers are all pretty forgettable and could have actually improved the movie had they been removed.
As a bit of background information, I was a psychotherapist and now teach psychology and history. So, I understood some of the now archaic treatments psychiatrist Astaire prescribed for Rogers and I was also horrified at the incredibly unethical behavior of this therapist. However, if you ignore all the reasons he SHOULD have had his license to practice revoked (there are just too many to mention in depth), then the film is a pretty funny jab at Analytic therapy. Although not exactly deep or sophisticated, I loved watching Ginger accidentally being taken from Astaire's office while she was under the influence of gas that Fred used to lower her resistance and inhibitions--and boy did it remove her inhibitions! Also, later when Fred tried hypnotizing her and she became a gun-toting maniac, it was a riot.
Oddly, this movie differs from other Astaire-Rogers films because it is Ginger who initially falls for Fred and she pursues him (it's usually the other way around). Regardless, the picture is highly entertaining and just plain fun.
PS--For you Ralph Bellamy fans out there, once again, Ralph loses the girl at the end of the picture. This is a pattern that would repeat itself again and again and again in his films of the 30s and 40s. It was such a cliché, that I find myself looking for his movies just so I can find ones where he actually DOES get the girl in the end of the picture (such as in BROTHER ORCHID).
As a bit of background information, I was a psychotherapist and now teach psychology and history. So, I understood some of the now archaic treatments psychiatrist Astaire prescribed for Rogers and I was also horrified at the incredibly unethical behavior of this therapist. However, if you ignore all the reasons he SHOULD have had his license to practice revoked (there are just too many to mention in depth), then the film is a pretty funny jab at Analytic therapy. Although not exactly deep or sophisticated, I loved watching Ginger accidentally being taken from Astaire's office while she was under the influence of gas that Fred used to lower her resistance and inhibitions--and boy did it remove her inhibitions! Also, later when Fred tried hypnotizing her and she became a gun-toting maniac, it was a riot.
Oddly, this movie differs from other Astaire-Rogers films because it is Ginger who initially falls for Fred and she pursues him (it's usually the other way around). Regardless, the picture is highly entertaining and just plain fun.
PS--For you Ralph Bellamy fans out there, once again, Ralph loses the girl at the end of the picture. This is a pattern that would repeat itself again and again and again in his films of the 30s and 40s. It was such a cliché, that I find myself looking for his movies just so I can find ones where he actually DOES get the girl in the end of the picture (such as in BROTHER ORCHID).