Comedy films don't have to make sense, they don't have to be real life, they don't have to have solid plots and stories, and they don't have to be believable. But, generally, films that those descriptions fit are either screwball or madcap comedies or science-fiction. And then, the nonsense, goofiness, far out and ridiculous have to have terrific screenplays to keep up the screwball humor.
Well, this isn't madcap and it doesn't have the screenplay that's needed for a screwball comedy so it clearly isn't either of those. So, it's a regular comedy that has one very far out premise, and some holes in the screenplay, including a huge one, that make the plot hard to swallow. Jacqueline Walsh has been divorced from Vernon for who knows how long, and she's at the wedding with her new intended, Herbert Fletcher, when she faints. Her Uncle Bill is an M. D. (Dr. William M. Parnell), and after examining her he informs her and the families that she is pregnant. Well, this is 1941 and Herbie knows that he's not the father. So, the finger points to Vernon.
But, just how long have they been divorced? How long have they been separated? When were they together last - within the past two months? They haven't had relations for some time - or have they? How else could Jackie have gotten pregnant? While comedies seldom need to justify some of the gaps in timing and reasoning, in this case it jumps out at one. The audience wants to know, but the screenplay and plot leave this huge hole unplugged and unanswered. And that has the effect of dampening the comedy that could have come out of such a plot.
There is some good dialog in this film for a comedy, but not enough to overcome its shortcomings. Besides the obviously big hole, there is absolutely no chemistry between the leads - Robert Young and Barbara Hale, who play Vernon and Jackie. It's a stretch to think that Vernon has any remorse over losing Jackie in the earliest scenes with him. So, he's down just a bit because it's her wedding day. Then, it's just matter-of-fact.
Even when Uncle Bill later admits to a misdiagnosis and that Jackie wasn't pregnant, the cloud still hangs over this film. Just how long had it been since she and hubby had made love, and how long had they been separated and divorced, and why the seeming rush into marrying Herbert? Let alone, how could she possibly be in love with Herbie so soon.
Well, the writing job wasn't very good on this one, but they made the film anyway. I doubt that this film did very well at the box office. With a supporting cast that includes Billie Burke and Melville Cooper, there should have been some very funny dialog, but there's hardly any. The bit of dialog with humor early in the film is the only thing that keeps it from failing all around. Here are the few good lines.
Vernon Walsh, "I love kids. What if I can prove it?" Otto Stacy, his lawyer, "There hasn't been a miracle since the 13th century."
Vernon Walsh, "Anybody can reform."
Vernon Walsh, "Well, you bought Herbert. I bought Timmy. Herbert's old enough to stay at home alone."
Vernon Walsh, "What kind of a law is that - when a guy has to get married to get his own kid? They call this a democracy?
Jacqueline Walsh, "Vern can give him things you can't write a check for. He can teach him how to swing a Louisville walking stick instead of a slugger. And pitch against me on mother's day. And how to smoke corn pones in the cellar. These are advantages no child should be deprived of."
Gibson, "Don't worry, Mrs. York, they can't possibly hurt one another." Wanda York, "They might catch a cold from stirring up so much breeze."
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