Wow, what a strange concoction you have in "We're Not Dressing"--a film from the recent multi-disk "Carole Lombard Collection". The film begins aboard a yacht with Bing Crosby as a crooning sailor, a dancing and rollerskating bear, Leon Erol on hand for comic relief, a young Ethel Merman, two money-hungry suitors (one of which is a young and really bland Ray Milland) and a spoiled rich lady (Lombard). Poor Ms. Lombard is a bit overwhelmed by the other acts and sure is upstaged in the first half of the film! There is just so much to distract you from the leading lady.
Due to some driving my the perpetually drunk Erol, the yacht everyone is on sinks but fortunately there is a nearby island. I was amazed that despite everyone nearly drowning and Bing falling overboard without a life jacket, he STILL took time out to sing a number in the water! Now THAT'S a trooper! At this point, the film actually becomes a lot like Lina Wertmüller's "Swept Away", as the rich folks are forced to work for themselves, as working-man Crosby is sick of being ordered around by these rich folks and is now their leader.
Soon, this bizarre cast of characters gets a lot weirder! It seems that Burn & Allen are already on this seemingly deserted island! And, there also happens to be some lambs and a lion wandering about--and no one seems that worried or confused by all this!! Lombard meets George and Gracie and instead of telling the others, she asks for some supplies. Lombard knows that in a month the couple will take everyone back to civilization once their own boat returns to get them but she withholds this from her friends. It seems that she's enjoying the rustic life with her shipwrecked friends as it gives her a chance to be closer to poor guy Crosby--though this plot doesn't last long.
This film is best described as a merging of "Gilligan's Island", "Swept Away" and a 1930s variety show--talk about a very, very contrived and oddball film! Now provided you can turn off your brain COMPLETELY, it is a nice enjoyable trifle. Crosby's singing, as usual, is pleasant and the laughs, while never huge, are there. It's a peculiar melange that the right audience might enjoy--all others will just shake their heads in disbelief!
Due to some driving my the perpetually drunk Erol, the yacht everyone is on sinks but fortunately there is a nearby island. I was amazed that despite everyone nearly drowning and Bing falling overboard without a life jacket, he STILL took time out to sing a number in the water! Now THAT'S a trooper! At this point, the film actually becomes a lot like Lina Wertmüller's "Swept Away", as the rich folks are forced to work for themselves, as working-man Crosby is sick of being ordered around by these rich folks and is now their leader.
Soon, this bizarre cast of characters gets a lot weirder! It seems that Burn & Allen are already on this seemingly deserted island! And, there also happens to be some lambs and a lion wandering about--and no one seems that worried or confused by all this!! Lombard meets George and Gracie and instead of telling the others, she asks for some supplies. Lombard knows that in a month the couple will take everyone back to civilization once their own boat returns to get them but she withholds this from her friends. It seems that she's enjoying the rustic life with her shipwrecked friends as it gives her a chance to be closer to poor guy Crosby--though this plot doesn't last long.
This film is best described as a merging of "Gilligan's Island", "Swept Away" and a 1930s variety show--talk about a very, very contrived and oddball film! Now provided you can turn off your brain COMPLETELY, it is a nice enjoyable trifle. Crosby's singing, as usual, is pleasant and the laughs, while never huge, are there. It's a peculiar melange that the right audience might enjoy--all others will just shake their heads in disbelief!