Half Angel (1951) User Reviews (12)

Light '50s comedy

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 4 August 2007]

Loretta Young is a "Half Angel" in this 1951 comedy starring Joseph Cotten, Cecil Kellaway, Jim Backus and Irene Ryan. The beautiful Miss Young plays Nora, who by day is a very professional-looking nurse and by night a glamorous seductress. Apparently she has a split personality, and when her conscious mind goes to sleep, Nora's other personality wakes up and drops in on an old school chum who is now an important attorney (Cotten). Her mystique, her allure, her seductiveness make him crazy. Every time he spots the daytime starched nurse Nora, he happily approaches her and throws his arms around her - only to get slapped in the face. Nora is engaged to be married to someone else and besides, she has no memory of these nighttime escapades.

One of the reviewers on this site complained about the holes in the plot. This is the kind of film that doesn't hold up well under much - or any - scrutiny. It's a fantasy and has to be enjoyed as such. Nitpicking about how fast a trial is docketed and why someone receives a subpoena is like saying that tapping red rhinestone shoes together will never take you back home.

At 38, Loretta Young is absolutely gorgeous, as she always was and remained for the rest of her life. Huge eyes, a face the shape of a cameo, beautiful hair, slim figure - as if any of it is really hidden by a nurse's cap and uniform. For Nora the wild one, she wears her hair down and a flashy seafoam-colored dress. Which brings me to the film's color. It's very reminiscent of a Better Homes and Garden book from the '50s that I used to look at as a child - very bright colors and lots of them. I found the use of color in the film quite unusual.

A light comedy is strange casting for Joseph Cotten, but for my money, he pulls it off. This isn't a wildly funny movie, but it is an amusing one, and the psychiatric plot is in line with the post-war interest in the subconscious so prevalent in films of that era. This film takes the fluff approach, which movies like "The Snake Pit," "The Dark Past" and "Spellbound" did not. Loretta fans will love it.

Loretta Young is half angel & half devil...neither performance believable

[moonspinner55 · 5/10 · 24 October 2009]

Misshapen piece of fluff, a capricious bit of harmless whimsy that may go down easier at three in the morning when one is apt to be less demanding. Loretta Young is a starchy, spinsterish nurse, about to marry the cloddish man she's been putting off for five years, when suddenly her repressed desire to flirt with a strictly-business attorney takes over her body while she's sleepwalking, leading to a series of romantic confusions. Robert Riskin is responsible for the script, which he adapted from a story by George Carleton Brown; both men are strictly behind-the-times in terms of a saucy bedroom comedy (although Young is certainly attractive dressed in a very sheer negligee!). Joseph Cotten looks rather incredulous at being caught in such a juvenile scenario, and the tone of the picture is wobbly right from the start. Colorful supporting players (Jim Backus, Irene Ryan, and the always-reliable Cecil Kellaway) add some sparkle, however the movie hinges on Young's performance and she's much more annoying than seductive. ** from ****

Lightweight, but still worth seeing!

[JohnHowardReid · 7/10 · 28 September 2017]

Copyright 11 May 1951 by 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at the Roxy: 15 June 1951. U.S. release: May 1951. U.K. release: 24 September 1951. Australian release: 2 November 1951. 6,819 feet. 76 minutes.

SYNOPSIS: A reserved young nurse with a split personality pursues her subconscious love while sleep-walking.

NOTES: Commenced shooting late July 1950 with director Jules Dassin at the helm.

COMMENT: The only scene that may be Dassin's is the first in the hospital — a long take with some complex camera movements. True, there are other long takes in the film — indeed the direction is generally more stylish than Sale's norm — but nothing else that would indicate any mastery of the cinema.

The script is too lightweight for Dassin anyway, so his exit comes as no surprise. It's a very slight bit of whimsy indeed, unusual for a Robert Riskin script in that it is such a trifle. All the same, Riskin has added some attractive conceits. These find their full expression in the amusement park sequence (photographed on location at Long Beach) in which Edwin Max as a delightfully disgruntled attendant is induced to ride the roller-coaster. The following courtroom episode continues the jest neatly.

Why dress up this slight trifle with Technicolor? Well it needs color to give it a bit of substance. In fact it's the color photography more than the script and the acting that makes the story and its people reasonably interesting. Of course Technicolor also benefits the attractive Loretta Young no end and makes her costumes especially appealing. It also enhances both the real locations in downtown Los Angeles and the extensive back-lot filming.

Mockridge's music score is suitably lively. Miss Young sings/breathes the Newman/Blane ballad with appropriate finesse.

The support players are also very able. Max, as mentioned, is a stand-out, but even glum Cotten is quite watchable. And there's Backus, Ruysdael, Ryan, Kellaway (though Cecil does seem to be trying a bit too hard).

Very Underrated

[Michael_Elliott · 26 February 2008]

Half Angel (1951)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Incredibly charming and sweet romantic comedy about a shy and ordinary girl (Loretta Young) who doesn't know it but is in love with a lawyer (Joseph Cotten). She's about to be married to another man but she also sleepwalks and this is when she's able to confess her love for the lawyer. When she's awake, she hates him. This film doesn't have the best reputation but I loved nearly every second of it. You've certainly gotta wonder how Young can walk and talk while "sleepwalking" but that minor quibble aside, this is a great little gem. Young and Cotten have great chemistry together and both are very light on their feet and give terrific comedic performances. I've never seen Cotten so funny, although I haven't seen him in too many comedies. Young is a charming as ever and the supporting cast offers nice laughs as well. This Technicolor film is yet another Young film in the vaults of Fox.

By day, she loves Tim;by night,John

[weezeralfalfa · 7/10 · 10 February 2017]

Bachelor lawyer John Raymond(Joseph Cotton)suddenly is a very confused and frustrated man, thanks to a strange gorgeous woman(Loretta Young)who appears at his home one dark evening, claiming she is Princess Felicity: the girl with the magic lips, kissing his forehead to eradicate some imaginary warts(she calls him Frog!). She tends to the scrapes and bruises he suffered when tripping(twice!) over the low handle of a mower in the dark of his yard. She plays his piano and sings. Then, she says she has to go home before the witch she lives with awakens.

The next day, John sees the Princess (or Jug Head as he sometimes calls her) on the street and greets her, but she doesn't seem to recognize him, and tells him to buzz off. This drives him nuts. That evening, he is getting on a train for Washington. She appears in the train boarding area, again, dressed in an evening dress and acting flirtaceous. He gets off the train and she encourages him to kiss her. They go to an evening amusement park and have fun on the roller coaster, even giving the operator a ride. The next day, John goes to the hospital(where she is a nurse), but she acts very hostile, and slaps him for being fresh. She talks to a doctor , who suggests perhaps her subconscious mind is telling her she actually loves John, although she thinks she hates him. She takes him to court, presumably, for stalking. Nobody can believe his tale, and he loses the case.

That evening, she is preparing for her wedding to Tim the next morning. She falls asleep, but soon gets dressed seductively, and goes outside, where John is waiting. They kiss and John suggests they get married that night. They find a minister and a couple of witnesses, and go through the marriage ceremony. They go to a motel(why not his house?), with separate beds(as required by the then production code!) for the night. Princess awakens first, and is shocked that John is in a bed next to hers. She gets dressed and climbs out the window(why?), taking John's pants with her, which she throws over a fence(and which probably contain their marriage license, judging by a later comment by John!). She goes home and gets ready for her next wedding. I leave the conclusion for you to discover. At present, it's available at You Tube.

Yes, Princess Felicity is one dizzy dame. It appears that a case of split personality has been fused with a propensity for sleepwalking. On the surface, there might be just enough plausibility for such a combination to tease our imaginations. But, basically, this is a fairy tale. That's OK as long as we recognize it as such. The plot is then seen as very simple, with a few holes, reasonably interesting, and well executed.

Average Execution.

[sb-47-608737 · 5/10 · 8 January 2017]

The plot of the movie was imaginative- Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in reverse, gender as well as personality (Loretta is almost Mr Hyde while awake and Dr Jekyll in subconscious). Unlike what has been mentioned several times, (even by her screen father), it isn't sleep walking but schizophrenia and hence the plot is believable, including her failure to remember what her subconscious personality did, in detail. But she did remember, and tried to hint on screen, that she had been doing some thing naughty. The movie would have been excellent had a few gaps had been filled up and ironed out. She did knew her childhood sweetheart (John Raymond), but her reason of dislike isn't clear (which could have been clarified just in a few short dialogues, say with her colleague nurses). Quite a few other fillers would have made it into excellent movie. I give it above average in Plot, Loretta and Cotten - roles as well as execution, but that had been highly negated by the execution and also realization of both the doctor- who should have (and as it comes out did) guess but didn't take sufficient measures and more by her father, who obviously knew Raymond (he was the gardener of their family), as well as that the kids shared something sweet. He could have been a more pragmatic person say as the uncle in Katie Did It.

Cute Film!!!

[filmloverlady · 8/10 · 17 April 2005]

I just saw this movie on one of the cable channels, and it is adorable. Loretta Young is as beautiful as ever, and Joseph Cotton is his usual handsome self! The supporting players are also wonderful and you will recognize each one-The story line is a little silly, but you must take into consideration that the film is from 1951- As a film buff, I am aware that this era was a time for musicals and light comedies, and this film is light- You won't have to figure out plot twists or hidden meanings, the film is straight forward fun-If you are looking for a film that is entertaining and fine for the whole family than try this one-Stay with it,and I am sure you will enjoy it. A fun film!

Ridiculous....but so are many nice rom-coms.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 11 May 2017]

The plot to "Half Angel" is insane and impossible to believe. But should that stop you from watching it? Maybe not. After all, some of the best old rom-coms of the classic era of Hollywood had completely ridiculous plots...such as in "Bringing Up Baby" and "My Favorite Wife" as well as "The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer".

Nora (Loretta Young) is an extremely conventional and a bit straight-laced lady. She's going to be married soon, so you'd think she was very happy...and she is on the surface. However, subconsciously she is NOT happy and longs to be wild, carefree and in love. But she is not aware of this and this side of her only starts appearing when she goes to sleep at night. She begins sleepwalking as this other personality and soon completely captivates John (Joseph Cotten). However, John knows little about this mystery woman....she was in his life and then just disappeared! So he frantically looks all over town for her. Eventually, he finds Nora...and she has zero recollection of him. In fact, she even presses charges when she thinks he's taking liberties with her, a stranger! What's next? See this odd film.

This movie works because of the actors...period. The plot is ridiculous but Joseph Cotten and Loretta Young were such wonderful professionals that they were able to bring it across and make it fun as well. Overall, fun and enjoyable...and silly.

Very Good Imaginative Plot Film

[GregP89 · 8/10 · 12 March 2014]

Actor Joseph Cotton, a his 2nd surreal genre film following "Portrait of Jeanie" with another brunette beauty of an Actress. The surreal nature of this film comes from memory recollection scenes, sleep walking premise, extreme sensuality by Actress Loretta Young, and even several odd overdubbed songs that are similar to the 1951 famous hit 'How High the Moon' by Mary Ford and Les Paul. Great supporting acting from Jim Backus, "Mr. Howell". The viewer can only wonder if months after filming 'Key to the City' with her true love Clark Gable, Ms. Young insisted on continuing the feeling with another thoroughly romantic film. Indeed, Actor Joseph Cotton is hardly miscast but does very well, albeit he is among few actors who have filmed with the loveliest leading ladies of his era, like Jennifer Jones, Ms. Young, Ingrid Bergman, Ava Gardner, Jane Russell, and Rita Hayworth. Only Actor Michael Douglas has achieved such a similar feat in today's Hollywood. Lastly, the Long Beach Cyclone Roller coaster scenes are great historical footage and a pleasant surprise.

Tailored to Fit Young

[dougdoepke · 14 January 2010]

It's hard for me to imagine that even Production Code audiences of 1951(note the newly- weds' unlikely twin beds) found this silly exercise anything more than occasionally titillating. I guess the movie was intended as a romantic comedy. The premise of a woman (Young) with two distinct personalities depending on whether she's sleepwalking may have sounded promising, but the result plods along in uninspired fashion minus either bounce or charm. Apparently, supporting players like Backus and Max are supposed to provide the chuckles, but it's really only Irene Ryan as nurse Kay who comes through in lively fashion. From his credits, it looks like director Sale was a much better writer than director or comedy coach.

It also looks like Young is having a good time vamping it up in the wanton half of Nora's split personality. The overt sexuality probably comes as welcome change from her typical good girl roles. However, despite the good-humored approach, the result is more ludicrous than funny. Nonetheless, she does get to model 1951's latest fashions, a big thing for Young as her TV show attests. Unfortunately, that fine actor Joseph Cotten is reduced here to little more than a male manikin in a clearly secondary role.

To me, the most intriguing aspect is what blacklisted film-noir and scheduled director Jules Dassin (Brute Force, 1948; Thieves Highway, 1949) would have done with the goofy premise and a very proper Young. If ever there was a mismatched movie pair, this is it. So it's no surprise that one of the two (Dassin) ended up having to leave the project (according to IMDb). Anyway, it's still a curious question what the highly serious Dassin would have done with such frothy material. Whatever the result, it's bound to be more interesting than this unfortunately forgettable 80 minutes.

"The Girl With The Magic Lips - Wow!"

[stryker-5 · 31 January 1999]

"This is very odd," says Nora at one point, and she could have been talking about the whole film. The Technicolor is loud and garish, the plot is unconvincing and the characters lack substance in this ill-thought-out 'chick flick'.

Nora Gilpin is a nurse who knows, but doesn't like, John Raymond - the handsome (and single) attorney. Nora has a tendency to sleepwalk, and her subconscious self heads straight for John, because although she won't admit it, she is secretly in love with him. A doctor advises John that he should marry her - then her two selves will merge happily.

Loretta Young plays Nora. Already a screen veteran at the time (she had been making pictures continually since appearing in Valentino's "The Sheikh"), she is very beautiful and gets to wear some nice New Look outfits. It has to be said that Loretta is no acting genius. It is probably just as well, because the shallow script makes no demands upon her whatsoever. All she has to do is play with a few frocks in front of the mirror, keep her make-up pristine and utter one or two deeply un-witty quips. "I can't believe I'm capable of that moronic talk," she says. It's a shame she didn't say it to the scriptwriter.

The part of John Raymond is taken by a miscast Joseph Cotten. If Young was getting a little old for ingenue parts at age 38, Cotten at 46 was stretching the point. The man who, ten years earlier, played Jedediah in "Citizen Kane" so assuredly seems tentative and ill at ease in this bit of froth.

Nora shows up at John's place in the middle of the night and flirts with him in his bedroom. This makes no kind of sense, given that this is 1951 and Nora is engaged to somebody else. It simply doesn't ring true.

The legal case which occupies the middle segment is just plain dreadful. Nora finds herself subpoena'd to appear as a witness at nine o'clock the next morning, even though no trial could possibly have been arranged so quickly. She is the complainant - so why on earth would she need to be subpoena'd? And who would do it? The papers are drawn up as if this were a civil case and she were the plaintiff, though she has suffered no civil wrong and it is clearly a criminal trial. John Raymond appears as an attorney, even though he is the defendant (this is a major no-no). He concedes the case against him, then the magistrate allows him to cross-examine Nora on a point of no relevance whatsoever. She is cross-examined without having given evidence in chief. Raymond mixes private chat with his questions, volunteers evidence himself and waves exhibits around without formally adducing them. The identification evidence is plain ridiculous, as is the conclusion of the trial.

The spurious psychoanalysis is annoying, as is Nora's failure to recognise the fragment from her own petticoat. The back-projection of the roller-coaster is feeble.

"Half Angel" is half-baked.

Is this on VHS or will this film ever be shown on cable tv?

[RozCraig · 24 August 2001]

I really like Loretta Young films. I think she was a great actress in her time. I would like to see more of her films such as Paula, Half Angel, etc. I really hope that some of her rarely seemed films such as Paula and Half Angel...is available on video tapes.