When done right, comedies mixed with action and romance make for irresistible entertainment and there are numerous examples of those. Old and new, no bias against either (and there does tend these days to be bias towards the other on both sides), though there has always been a preferable for the former. While the stories were not always strong suits, the best of them were elevated to a greater level by wit, sophistication, charm and great performances.
'Too Hot to Handle', with a mix of all three and described as a three-hander, is this close to being one of the near-classics in this regard. It has three of the finest actors of that time, Clark Gable, Myrna Loy and Walter Pidgeon, and one of Hollywood's, or at least the golden age's, most memorable chemistries in Gable and Loy (wish they did more films together). The story is as far-fetched as they come, don't expect to find everything believable here, especially in the story, but the immense energy, wit and acting quality especially make 'Too Hot to Handle' a joy.
Did think too that, as well as the far-fetchedness, the film is a little too busy at times and could have tried to do less.
On the other hand, 'Too Hot to Handle' has held up well visually. Nicely photographed with distinguished costumes, with the aerial footage remarkably well incorporated when it could have been jarringly cheap. Director Jack Conway, who directed Gable in six films, allows the film to zip along at a bright and breezy pace, brings the best out of his cast and really makes the chemistry between them sparkle. The zippy momentum keeps coming and never stops, the action enthralling throughout.
Script is full of style and wit, that is both arch and sophisticated. A perfect example of why the witty and sophisticated kind of comedy is my personal favourite type of conedy, plus it surprisingly hasn't dated a jot in my opinion. The spoof bombing raid is hilarious, one of the funniest scenes for any film (comedy and overall) seen recently by me and one of Gable's funniest moments on film.
Gable is in charming and wonderfully wry mode with expertly comic timing, he was clearly in his element. Likewise with Pidgeon, who is a great rival match for Gable, making their rivalry tense and entertaining, and he doesn't overplay the boisterousness. Walter Connelly doesn't let the side down either and has fun in his role. Neither does Loy as the heart of the drama and the film, the necessary pathos very touching. The chemistry between them all is one of 'Too Hot to Handle's' finest assets, for reasons that are the same as for the script.
Altogether, thoroughly enjoyable and irresistible. 8/10
'Too Hot to Handle', with a mix of all three and described as a three-hander, is this close to being one of the near-classics in this regard. It has three of the finest actors of that time, Clark Gable, Myrna Loy and Walter Pidgeon, and one of Hollywood's, or at least the golden age's, most memorable chemistries in Gable and Loy (wish they did more films together). The story is as far-fetched as they come, don't expect to find everything believable here, especially in the story, but the immense energy, wit and acting quality especially make 'Too Hot to Handle' a joy.
Did think too that, as well as the far-fetchedness, the film is a little too busy at times and could have tried to do less.
On the other hand, 'Too Hot to Handle' has held up well visually. Nicely photographed with distinguished costumes, with the aerial footage remarkably well incorporated when it could have been jarringly cheap. Director Jack Conway, who directed Gable in six films, allows the film to zip along at a bright and breezy pace, brings the best out of his cast and really makes the chemistry between them sparkle. The zippy momentum keeps coming and never stops, the action enthralling throughout.
Script is full of style and wit, that is both arch and sophisticated. A perfect example of why the witty and sophisticated kind of comedy is my personal favourite type of conedy, plus it surprisingly hasn't dated a jot in my opinion. The spoof bombing raid is hilarious, one of the funniest scenes for any film (comedy and overall) seen recently by me and one of Gable's funniest moments on film.
Gable is in charming and wonderfully wry mode with expertly comic timing, he was clearly in his element. Likewise with Pidgeon, who is a great rival match for Gable, making their rivalry tense and entertaining, and he doesn't overplay the boisterousness. Walter Connelly doesn't let the side down either and has fun in his role. Neither does Loy as the heart of the drama and the film, the necessary pathos very touching. The chemistry between them all is one of 'Too Hot to Handle's' finest assets, for reasons that are the same as for the script.
Altogether, thoroughly enjoyable and irresistible. 8/10