So says Eve Arden in one of her wittiest lines outside of alligators eating their young in "Mildred Pierce". She's referring to the two women chasing after radio mystery host Red Skelton, engaged to Ann Rutherford, but desired by Virginia Grey. Somehow Skelton is desired by cult leader Conrad Veidt who fleeces vulnerable widowed society matrons out of their money by promising them peace in another world, wanted to figure out the perfect way to kill the co-heir to a fortune he coveted himself, split between him and the surviving nephew (Lloyd Corrigan).
Skelton is fooled into going off with Veidt and his merry gang of fleecers, later held hostage with both Rutherford and Grey in an effort to prove that the poisoned mouthwash he's suggested actually works. Guarded by the very tough Rags Ragland (strong only in muscle. not in brain), Skelton comes up with a unique way of turning a radio into a telephone in an effort to warn Corrigan about his possible fate aboard a flight where one of Veidt's men intends to use the poisoned mouthwash to do his dirty deed. It's a race to the finish, giving Corrigan a very funny exit line, and a comedy thriller that will have you both in stitches as well as your hands glued to your arm rests.
Having made a few minor supporting appearances in a few films, this would be Skelton's very first lead, and he is indeed quite amusing. He doesn't overdo the schtick here that he would later on, and thus comes off as quite subtle. Rutherford and Grey play great rivals for Skelton's affections, although it is obvious whom he prefers. I wish Arden had more scenes, as she always turns even the weakest of lines into something meatier. Veidt is a suave villain, delivering each dastardly line as if he was comforting a wounded pet, all the while insulting it. Ragland as usual plays a hysterically funny dumbbell, not overusing the malapropisms, but making each one hysterical. This remake of a 1933 film spawned a brief series for Skelton that didn't overstay its welcome.
Skelton is fooled into going off with Veidt and his merry gang of fleecers, later held hostage with both Rutherford and Grey in an effort to prove that the poisoned mouthwash he's suggested actually works. Guarded by the very tough Rags Ragland (strong only in muscle. not in brain), Skelton comes up with a unique way of turning a radio into a telephone in an effort to warn Corrigan about his possible fate aboard a flight where one of Veidt's men intends to use the poisoned mouthwash to do his dirty deed. It's a race to the finish, giving Corrigan a very funny exit line, and a comedy thriller that will have you both in stitches as well as your hands glued to your arm rests.
Having made a few minor supporting appearances in a few films, this would be Skelton's very first lead, and he is indeed quite amusing. He doesn't overdo the schtick here that he would later on, and thus comes off as quite subtle. Rutherford and Grey play great rivals for Skelton's affections, although it is obvious whom he prefers. I wish Arden had more scenes, as she always turns even the weakest of lines into something meatier. Veidt is a suave villain, delivering each dastardly line as if he was comforting a wounded pet, all the while insulting it. Ragland as usual plays a hysterically funny dumbbell, not overusing the malapropisms, but making each one hysterical. This remake of a 1933 film spawned a brief series for Skelton that didn't overstay its welcome.