Page 37 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 133

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #133 February 2024 37

In Reel Time

Muzzle Tov

many of the solo driven Sturges’
By Nikolai Adams features, there is still a clever charm

here. . . more fun than funny, the
“I’m cursed – every time a woman scenario is what can best be termed
finds out I’ve got twenty million light-hearted and wonderfully easy
dollars and bad health, she falls in to watch. You’re likely to smile
love with me.” when the faux-married couple
A rich, hypochondriac of a man, instruct poor Henry on how to kiss,
John Kidley (Bob Hope), haunted by or when character actor Sig Ruman
a Black Widow (a murderous, marry- Photo Submitted (priceless in Ernst Lubitsch’s
a-wealthy-husband-a-year type To Be or Not to Be), playing the
woman, not a spider), Juno Marko conservative resort owner where
(Gale Sondergaard), flees her side, they are honeymooning, is constantly
FPO
making his way to a beautiful health- reacting to their seemingly liberal
resort-centred town called Bad shenanigans (i.e. introducing Henry
Gaswasser, Switzerland, hoping that as her fiancé when they are on their
the hidden locale, nestled amongst were holes in him, Ms. Marko, there desperate European Prince, Smirnov honeymoon, or when Kidley spends FPO
is no reason why people should. . .” (Alan Mowbray) – all in the hope that the night sleeping next to Henry
the picturesque Alps, will help him
with his supposed condition, and, Marko: “I was acquitted. Just the snobbish country club owners rather than his wife. . . there is also
back home will finally let him in. a cheeky scene where the bellboy is
more importantly, in avoiding the because I’m impulsive and quick
The strong willed Mickey does not asked to get involved – much to the
persistent dame – hence the 1939 tempered, people talk.” Kidley:
film’s title, Never Say Die. “Yes, and with you being an Olympic care for all the pomp, only wanting to confusion of the wide-eyed owner).
marry her big, bulky, and dim-witted Also, the word play has that adroit
pistol champion.”
Now, of course, the quote offered
bus driver crush, Henry Munch (Andy vaudeville flair – the climactic
at the opening is spoken by Kidley, Written by Don Hartman, Frank Devine) – who literally whittles away sequence revolves around the tongue
and it references his perceived awful Butler and icon Preston Sturges during all of his free time. twister “there’s a cross on the muzzle
luck. And, to be honest, Ms. Marko (Sullivan’s Travels; The Great
Finding an escape in each other, of the pistol with the bullet and a nick
is quite the woman. . . having ditched McGinty), and directed by Elliott
Kidley marries Mickey, allowing on the handle of the pistol with the
her most recent beau (she witnessed Nugent, the team adapt one of those
them both to avoid their ulterior blank”, as you can rightly imagine,
him slipping and falling off the outrageous tales that could only be
motive filled significant others, in the mouths of actors like Hope
Matterhorn from mere inches behind seen on stage or screen. Based upon
while leaving her wealthy and free and Raye, ingeniously confounding
him – wink wink, nudge nudge), a 1912 Broadway show of the same
to marry Henry once he dies (you mistakes ensue.
Kidley is her next mark, and it does name (and also adapted into a 1924
clearly see the hitch). Heading off on A romantic comedy with heart,
not take her long to track the wealthy silent film), soon, Kidley is given
their phony honeymoon with Henry Never Say Die is a decently
gent down once again. Here is a the results of his gut test (a mix up,
in tow, it is the most unorthodox entertaining motion picture with
piece of witty dialogue from the film, he received a similarly named dog’s
ménage à trois you’ll ever see. Will a cast that clicks. Though not as
emphasizing their rather amusing results, making his doctors assume
predicament: that his sky high acid levels are the ‘unbeknownst to them’ flawed funny as it truly should be (when
plan end up working out? How will you look at the names involved), it is
deadly – they give him thirty days to
Kidley: “Oh, yes. The one they the shunned Prince and Black Widow comfortably pleasant and utterly fun,
said you shot.” live). take the news? a premise that is sure to please, if not

Marko: “It’s not true. It is a wicked, An alternate story finds a nouveau Is whittling a sexy hobby to woo wholly satisfy. Fingers crossed that
slanderous lie.” riche Texan (Paul Harvey) marrying your future wife? you’ll give this one hour and twenty
off his daughter, Mickey Hawkins two minute movie a dueller’s chance,
Kidley: “Oh, I should say it is. Just (Martha Raye), to a financially Though not as crisp and sharp as
because you were there and there it should not be muzzled.