This film seems to make the mistake of combining way too much singing with a comedy. As a result, the comedy is diluted--and for me rather frustrating--especially since most of the music is pretty lame. In other words, as a musical it stinks and the comedy just isn't front and center as it should be.
It begins in the 18th century. A group of students are graduating but Gracie Alden (Gracie Allen) is not one of them. For the 9th straight year, she has failed and her being addle-brained means it's likely she'll never graduate. Frustrated by this, her grandfather announces that if Gracie or any of her female descendants EVER graduate that he'll will the school to her. But, in the meantime, the school belongs to the school.
The film now switches to the 20th century. And, like you see in many old films, Gracie Allen plays a contemporary Gracie--as if, by magic, an identical is produced generations later. The same can also be said for Edward Everett Horton, as he, too, has an 18th and 20th century double.
Gracie #2 is determined to finally graduate and hires Bob Hope to "help her" (cheat). Everyone is shocked when she actually does pass and the school becomes hers. Immediately she begins making lots of staff changes and totally ruins the once-proud school.
Along the way, there are lots of side stories of moderate interest at best. The problem, however, is that everyone sings so darn much that these side stories never seem to be developed. In fact, I found it a chore watching the film and the talents of Gracie Allen, Bob Hope and the rest were completely lost in the process. As for poor George Burns, he probably got the worst of it, as you barely notice he's even in the film and he just seems to be there for no particular reason. So, despite a very good cast and a silly plot that could have been a lot of fun, the film is a real chore to watch thanks to almost non-stop god-awful singing. My advice is look for another Gracie Allen or Bob Hope film...almost ANY other!
It begins in the 18th century. A group of students are graduating but Gracie Alden (Gracie Allen) is not one of them. For the 9th straight year, she has failed and her being addle-brained means it's likely she'll never graduate. Frustrated by this, her grandfather announces that if Gracie or any of her female descendants EVER graduate that he'll will the school to her. But, in the meantime, the school belongs to the school.
The film now switches to the 20th century. And, like you see in many old films, Gracie Allen plays a contemporary Gracie--as if, by magic, an identical is produced generations later. The same can also be said for Edward Everett Horton, as he, too, has an 18th and 20th century double.
Gracie #2 is determined to finally graduate and hires Bob Hope to "help her" (cheat). Everyone is shocked when she actually does pass and the school becomes hers. Immediately she begins making lots of staff changes and totally ruins the once-proud school.
Along the way, there are lots of side stories of moderate interest at best. The problem, however, is that everyone sings so darn much that these side stories never seem to be developed. In fact, I found it a chore watching the film and the talents of Gracie Allen, Bob Hope and the rest were completely lost in the process. As for poor George Burns, he probably got the worst of it, as you barely notice he's even in the film and he just seems to be there for no particular reason. So, despite a very good cast and a silly plot that could have been a lot of fun, the film is a real chore to watch thanks to almost non-stop god-awful singing. My advice is look for another Gracie Allen or Bob Hope film...almost ANY other!