Monkey Business
Directed by Howard Hawks
Written by Ben Hecht, Charles Lederer, and I.A.L. Diamond; story by Harry Segall
1952/USA
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Lois Laurel: [at her secretrial desk, responding to Barnaby’s remark that she is at work early] Mr. Oxley’s been complaining about my punctuation, so I’m careful to get here before nine.[/box]
I don’t think I’ve ever really liked a comedy with a chimpanzee in it.
Dr, Barnaby Fulton (Cary Grant) is the epitome of the absent-minded scientist. His wife Edwina (Ginger Rogers) understands him completely. Today they can’t even get out of the house to go to a dance. Barnaby is preoccupied with his experiments on an anti-aging drug.
Barnaby’s boss Mr. Oxley (Charles Coburn) is getting on in years and is eager for results. Barnaby has been experimenting on chimpanzees. The audience is allowed to know that a mixture created by one of the chimps and dumped in the water supply as changed an old chimp into a frisky six-month old. Barnaby doesn’t know this and decides to test the formula on himself. It works immediately, turning him into a 20-year-old with perfect vision. He gets a youthful haircut, wardrobe and convertible and goes on a spree with Mr. Oxley’s secretary Lois (Marilyn Monroe).
In a few hours, the formula wears off. Barnaby intends to continue his experiments but before he can drink down an additional done, Edwina downs it herself. It works a treat on her as well. Increased doses later turn both of them into young kids. Hijinks aplenty ensue. With Hugh Marlow as a family friend with a crush on Edwina.
This is just the sort of silly, frenetic fifties comedy with lots of double entendres that just isn’t for me. Your mileage may vary.
Trailer
