A stellar cast that includes Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers, and a chimpanzee, direction by Howard Hawks, and a screenplay by Ben Hecht, Charles Lederer, and I.A.L. Diamond, what could possibly go wrong? Plenty. Perhaps considered hilarious in 1952, "Monkey Business" is hopelessly dated, occasionally amusing, and often just plain silly. An absent minded professor, who seems more demented than distracted, concocts a mysterious formula that causes people to act younger. Of course, the formula is tested and gets loose via a water cooler. Stir in the chimp, a bunch of kids, and a baby, and the results are generally less than funny.
A chasm yawns between acting childlike and acting childish. In "Big," Tom Hanks beautifully captured the mannerisms, energy, and curiosity of a child in an adult's body. However, Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers do not act like children. Instead, they cavort like childish adults. The bookish professor that Grant plays would never have thrown paint around, pulled a girl's pigtails, or danced an Indian war dance as a child. He was probably as studious at ten as he was at 40. Unfortunately, Grant did not have Tom Hanks's nuanced performance to study, and he overacts wildly. Grant's turn here is arguably his worst since "Arsenic and Old Lace," which compensated with a terrific supporting cast and a funny script. Even worse, Rogers tries to keep pace with Grant's antics, and, speaking in a little girlish voice, her silliness is even more ridiculous than Grant's.
However, Marilyn Monroe in an early supporting role is the one sterling reason not to miss "Monkey Business." Marilyn never drinks the formula and remains the epitome of the dumb blonde throughout. But Monroe is no ordinary dumb blonde; she is sweet, vulnerable, and innocent. The screen grows brighter when she appears, and she is drop-dead gorgeous. When Marilyn hikes her skirt to show her acetate stockings to Grant, she is oblivious to the effect she has. Of course, a half century ago, sexism was rampant and tolerated, if not encouraged, and "Monkey Business" has more than its share. Charles Coburn, the geriatric laboratory boss, admits Monroe is there to look at, and Grant leers at her legs shamelessly. Ginger Rogers is no liberated woman either; she is the housewife with nothing to do but buy new dresses, plan social events, and care for her helpless husband.
Considering the credits, "Monkey Business" should have been an hilarious classic; unfortunately, the Marx Brothers film of the same title is much funnier. The Hawks film is notable only for the dazzling presence of a young Marilyn Monroe and little else. Even the chimp has done better work.
A chasm yawns between acting childlike and acting childish. In "Big," Tom Hanks beautifully captured the mannerisms, energy, and curiosity of a child in an adult's body. However, Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers do not act like children. Instead, they cavort like childish adults. The bookish professor that Grant plays would never have thrown paint around, pulled a girl's pigtails, or danced an Indian war dance as a child. He was probably as studious at ten as he was at 40. Unfortunately, Grant did not have Tom Hanks's nuanced performance to study, and he overacts wildly. Grant's turn here is arguably his worst since "Arsenic and Old Lace," which compensated with a terrific supporting cast and a funny script. Even worse, Rogers tries to keep pace with Grant's antics, and, speaking in a little girlish voice, her silliness is even more ridiculous than Grant's.
However, Marilyn Monroe in an early supporting role is the one sterling reason not to miss "Monkey Business." Marilyn never drinks the formula and remains the epitome of the dumb blonde throughout. But Monroe is no ordinary dumb blonde; she is sweet, vulnerable, and innocent. The screen grows brighter when she appears, and she is drop-dead gorgeous. When Marilyn hikes her skirt to show her acetate stockings to Grant, she is oblivious to the effect she has. Of course, a half century ago, sexism was rampant and tolerated, if not encouraged, and "Monkey Business" has more than its share. Charles Coburn, the geriatric laboratory boss, admits Monroe is there to look at, and Grant leers at her legs shamelessly. Ginger Rogers is no liberated woman either; she is the housewife with nothing to do but buy new dresses, plan social events, and care for her helpless husband.
Considering the credits, "Monkey Business" should have been an hilarious classic; unfortunately, the Marx Brothers film of the same title is much funnier. The Hawks film is notable only for the dazzling presence of a young Marilyn Monroe and little else. Even the chimp has done better work.