Irene Dunne had been in Hollywood six years and made 20 feature films before this, her first crack at comedy. And what a success it was, and is. "Theodora Goes Wild" is a wacky comedy-romance that introduced the comedic talents of Irene Dunne to audiences. The super talented (wonderful musical voice, and dancer) Dunne continued to make a variety of films – drama, romance, musicals, mystery, war, Westerns, most of which were big hits. But none could top the comedies she would yet make. Dunne is one of the great actresses of Hollywood who never won an Oscar, though she was nominated four times.
Dunne was one of the three best comediennes from Hollywood's golden age. The other two were Jean Arthur and Carole Lombard. There were some other very good female comedy performers (Myrna Loy, Claudette Colbert, etc.) but the top three were in a level above all others. They were the masters of one-liners themselves, quick quips, snappy dialog, clever witticisms and above all else, tremendous facial expressions. By their knowing glances, pursing of the lips, biting a lip, looking askance, raising eyebrows, frowning, puzzling looks, and any number of faces they could clearly broadcast the humor of a scene. They were the best at it, where many other fine female comedians were in more serious or straight-faced or blasé comedic roles.
"Theodora Goes Wild" is a hilarious film of give and take. First, it's the male, Michael Grant, who is the purveyor and Theodora Lynn who is the victim. But she turns the tables and the comedy ratchets up a couple of notches. Dunne plays Theodora and Melvyn Douglas is Michael Grant. A wonderful supporting cast includes Spring Byington as Rebecca Perry, Thomas Mitchell as Jed Waterbury, Robert Greig as Uncle John, Thurston Hall as Arthur Stevenson, Nana Bryant as his wife Ethel, Elisabeth Risdon as Aunt Mary and Margaret McWade as Aunt Elsie.
This is a superb comedy to add to any film library. Here are some sample lines from the movie. For more funny dialog, see the Quotes section here on this film's IMDb Web page.
Michael, "Say, this place is crawling with aunts."
Ethel Stevenson, "That adorable young thing is an unholy terror on wheels. There's nothing in the world more deadly than innocence on the manhunt."
Jed, "I guess I know a righteous spanking when I get one."
Agnes, "You know, this woman's really out to break up our marriage, Michael. Maybe you and I will root for her."
Dunne was one of the three best comediennes from Hollywood's golden age. The other two were Jean Arthur and Carole Lombard. There were some other very good female comedy performers (Myrna Loy, Claudette Colbert, etc.) but the top three were in a level above all others. They were the masters of one-liners themselves, quick quips, snappy dialog, clever witticisms and above all else, tremendous facial expressions. By their knowing glances, pursing of the lips, biting a lip, looking askance, raising eyebrows, frowning, puzzling looks, and any number of faces they could clearly broadcast the humor of a scene. They were the best at it, where many other fine female comedians were in more serious or straight-faced or blasé comedic roles.
"Theodora Goes Wild" is a hilarious film of give and take. First, it's the male, Michael Grant, who is the purveyor and Theodora Lynn who is the victim. But she turns the tables and the comedy ratchets up a couple of notches. Dunne plays Theodora and Melvyn Douglas is Michael Grant. A wonderful supporting cast includes Spring Byington as Rebecca Perry, Thomas Mitchell as Jed Waterbury, Robert Greig as Uncle John, Thurston Hall as Arthur Stevenson, Nana Bryant as his wife Ethel, Elisabeth Risdon as Aunt Mary and Margaret McWade as Aunt Elsie.
This is a superb comedy to add to any film library. Here are some sample lines from the movie. For more funny dialog, see the Quotes section here on this film's IMDb Web page.
Michael, "Say, this place is crawling with aunts."
Ethel Stevenson, "That adorable young thing is an unholy terror on wheels. There's nothing in the world more deadly than innocence on the manhunt."
Jed, "I guess I know a righteous spanking when I get one."
Agnes, "You know, this woman's really out to break up our marriage, Michael. Maybe you and I will root for her."