Move Over, Darling, 1963

Director: Michael Gordon

Stars: Doris Day, James Garner, Polly Bergman

This is a remake of the 1940 comedy My Favorite Wife, which starred Cary Grant. So, naturally, I've seen it. I knew this was a remake, but for some reason, I thought it would be a bit different. Remakes aren't usually exactly like their predecessors, are they? (Was that the right word?) Well, this one was. Exactly like My Favorite Wife, I mean.

Ellen Arden (Day) was marooned on an island for 5 years, and presumed dead by her husband Nick (Garner). Nick falls in love again with Bianca (Bergman), and wanting to get married, has a judge declare Ellen legally dead, and then 2 minutes later, has the same judge marry he and his new wife. What Nick doesn't know, though, is that Ellen has been rescued from her island the very day he had her declared dead. Ellen arrives at home, only to find her mother-in-law watching her two young daughters while her husband has left on his honeymoon. Her mother-in-law tells her to go surprise her husband and his new wife.

This is basically a screwball comedy. I didn't like the story too much though, since I hate stories where the mother or the father isn't there for the kids' childhoods, or something like that. I tend to take those more seriously, and this just isn't funny to me. Plus, I've never liked screwball comedies, anyway.

All in all, it was ok. Watch it for the dreaminess of James Garner! I need to watch more of his old ones.

My Fellow Americans, 1996

Director: Peter Segal

Stars: Jack Lemmon, James Garner, Dan Aykroyd

Okay, just check out that cover! I love the eagle! He's so funny! I mean, as you stare at it, the eagle, with that knowing eagle-eye of his, gets funnier and funnier. Go ahead- try it!

So, former Presidents (and current enemies) Kramer (Lemmon) and Douglas (Garner), are brought together again by the current President Haney (Aykroyd), for a funeral. While they are in D.C., a scandal is discovered that took place during Kramer's administration (which was before Douglas's). But Kramer denies any part in it, and things turn dark (in a funny way, of course) when he and Douglas discover that someone is trying to set them up (something about the scandal) and kill them. To prove their innocence and escape being murdered, they set off together for Ohio, a lovely misadventure featuring helicopters, trains, and automobiles.

I could pretend that I am being vague about the scandal because I don't want to give anything away, but I honestly don't remember much about the details. It was a great comedy! Lots of great lines, Jack Lemmon and James Garner are just wonderful together. This is a guy's movie; kind of crass and rude at times. There's not too many of those parts though.

All in all, an enjoyable comedy!