THE FULLER BRUSH GIRL (Columbia, 1950), directed by Lloyd Bacon, was the studio's answer to its earlier comedy success to THE FULLER BRUSH MAN (1948) starring Red Skelton. Coming off in a similar fashion to the Skelton comedy, this sequel by title-relation only stars Lucille Ball in possibly her funniest comedy thus far, following her previous outing as MISS GRANT TAKES RICHMOND (Columbia, 1949). Though she had done comedy several times before, few where she wasn't very funny, THE FULLER BRUSH GIRL takes full advantage of Lucille Ball's talents in slapstick fashion, a sort of dress rehearsal to her future years on television, namely on "I Love Lucy" (1951-1957) opposite Desi Arnaz. Eddie Albert, who also had a successful career on television as well, particularly as Oliver Wendall Douglas in "Green Acres," (1966-1971), offers fine support as Ball's straight man involved in enough antics to classify this movie to television fans of viewing Oliver Wendall Douglas and Lucy McGillicuddy before their marriage to their television spouses to Hungarian born Lisa (Eva Gabor) and Cuban bandleader, Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz).
After a very funny montage opening superimposed during the opening credits, the story introduces Sally Elliott (Lucille Ball), engaged for three years to Humphrey Briggs (Eddie Albert), wishing him to earn enough money to buy their happy home at Fairview Hills. Sally works as a switchboard operator for Harvey Simpson (Jerome Cowan) at the Maritime Steamship Company as Humphrey, for the same company, earns his living as a file clerk. Because there is a job opening with a higher salary involved, Sally has Humphrey go to Mr. Simpson inquiring about that job, which he gets without asking for it, which causes some suspicion. After Sally gets fired from her job, her friend, Jane Bixby (Jeff Donnell) talks her into selling cosmetics for the Fuller Brush Company. Hoping to prove herself a good saleslady, Sally's luck becomes anything but successful. Because Clare Simpson (Lee Patrick) suspects her husband of being involved with another woman due to a perfume smell on his suit, the only one who can straighten out his situation is Sally. Simpson asks Humphrey to locate Sally and have her explain the accidental spilling of the cosmetic on his suit to his wife. Humphrey agrees but on his terms. Problems arise when Sally comes to the Simpson home to find Mrs. Simpson murdered. Humphrey, who believes Sally murdered her, goes to Mr. Simpson for help, only to find him dead as well. Both then venture out and clear their names to musing results.
Others in the cast are Carl Bento Reid (Mr. Christy); Gale Robbins (Ruby Rawlins); John Litel (Mr. Watkins); Arthur Space (Inspector Rodgers) and Sid Tomack (Banks). Look quickly for a cameo appearance and inside humor provided by Red Skelton himself. Song segments set at Gaity Burlesque include "Ladies of the Chorus" and "Put the Blame on Mame."
THE FULLER BRUSH GIRL is a fun movie from start to finish. Compared to THE FULLER BRUSH MAN where some of the Skelton gags seem quite lengthy before reaching its punchline, the Lucille Ball edition, containing some similar or same actions, come off better and funnier. Aside from Lucy's involvement by becoming an accidental baby sitter and later with a scientific child with a chemical set, Lucy strikes home with her imitation of a burlesque queen and having to go on stage to avoid getting captured by the killers. A wild chase on a ship highlights the story ending with two talking parrots getting in the last words. Lucy's drunkenness and her saying "I've got an idea" comes off quite close to her future television episodes showing the birth of Lucy and what is to become.
Formerly available on video cassette in 1998 and later DVD format, THE FULLER BRUSH GIRL has played on cable television's Turner Classic Movies since 2006. Fans or even non-fans of Lucy will definitely enjoy this 84 minutes of non-stop entertainment. (***)
After a very funny montage opening superimposed during the opening credits, the story introduces Sally Elliott (Lucille Ball), engaged for three years to Humphrey Briggs (Eddie Albert), wishing him to earn enough money to buy their happy home at Fairview Hills. Sally works as a switchboard operator for Harvey Simpson (Jerome Cowan) at the Maritime Steamship Company as Humphrey, for the same company, earns his living as a file clerk. Because there is a job opening with a higher salary involved, Sally has Humphrey go to Mr. Simpson inquiring about that job, which he gets without asking for it, which causes some suspicion. After Sally gets fired from her job, her friend, Jane Bixby (Jeff Donnell) talks her into selling cosmetics for the Fuller Brush Company. Hoping to prove herself a good saleslady, Sally's luck becomes anything but successful. Because Clare Simpson (Lee Patrick) suspects her husband of being involved with another woman due to a perfume smell on his suit, the only one who can straighten out his situation is Sally. Simpson asks Humphrey to locate Sally and have her explain the accidental spilling of the cosmetic on his suit to his wife. Humphrey agrees but on his terms. Problems arise when Sally comes to the Simpson home to find Mrs. Simpson murdered. Humphrey, who believes Sally murdered her, goes to Mr. Simpson for help, only to find him dead as well. Both then venture out and clear their names to musing results.
Others in the cast are Carl Bento Reid (Mr. Christy); Gale Robbins (Ruby Rawlins); John Litel (Mr. Watkins); Arthur Space (Inspector Rodgers) and Sid Tomack (Banks). Look quickly for a cameo appearance and inside humor provided by Red Skelton himself. Song segments set at Gaity Burlesque include "Ladies of the Chorus" and "Put the Blame on Mame."
THE FULLER BRUSH GIRL is a fun movie from start to finish. Compared to THE FULLER BRUSH MAN where some of the Skelton gags seem quite lengthy before reaching its punchline, the Lucille Ball edition, containing some similar or same actions, come off better and funnier. Aside from Lucy's involvement by becoming an accidental baby sitter and later with a scientific child with a chemical set, Lucy strikes home with her imitation of a burlesque queen and having to go on stage to avoid getting captured by the killers. A wild chase on a ship highlights the story ending with two talking parrots getting in the last words. Lucy's drunkenness and her saying "I've got an idea" comes off quite close to her future television episodes showing the birth of Lucy and what is to become.
Formerly available on video cassette in 1998 and later DVD format, THE FULLER BRUSH GIRL has played on cable television's Turner Classic Movies since 2006. Fans or even non-fans of Lucy will definitely enjoy this 84 minutes of non-stop entertainment. (***)