This madcap comedy depicts a rich housewife dragging her family to France to absorb culture.This madcap comedy depicts a rich housewife dragging her family to France to absorb culture.This madcap comedy depicts a rich housewife dragging her family to France to absorb culture.
Dennis Morgan
- Chuck Thompson
- (as Stanley Morner)
Fred Malatesta
- French Guard
- (scenes deleted)
Candy Candido
- Bosco
- (uncredited)
Jack Chefe
- French Waiter
- (uncredited)
André Cheron
- French Warden
- (uncredited)
Gino Corrado
- Italian Desk Clerk
- (uncredited)
George Davis
- Gendarme
- (uncredited)
Flora Finch
- Old Maid in Hall
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis film's television premiere took place in Los Angeles Tuesday 18 June 1957 on KTTV (Channel 11); it first aired in Omaha 11 September 1957 on WOW (Channel 6), in Chicago 4 October 1957 on WBBM (Channel 2), in Norfolk VA 11 October 1957 on WTAR (Channel 3), in Fresno CA 12 December 1957 on KMJ (Channel 24), in Honolulu 11 February 1958 on KHVH (Channel 13), in Philadelphia 26 February 1958 on WFIL (Channel 6), in Cincinnati 25 March 1958 on WLW-T (Channel 5), and in Spokane 9 July 1958 on KHQ (Channel 6). It finally found its way to San Francisco 20 January 1960 on KGO (Channel 7) & to New York City 19 August 1963 on WCBS (Channel 2).
- SoundtracksBurnt Fingers
(uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Chet Forrest and Bob Wright
Sung by Dennis Morgan and The Three Dots
Played on piano by Betty Furness
Featured review
A reworking of "Dodsworth" without the edge.
reworking of "Dodsworth" but with comedy and less impact once again, a flighty woman wants to be accepted by the smart set in Europe
One of the very best (and underrated) films of the 1930s was "Dodsworth". It was a sad tale written by Sinclair Lewis in 1929 about an industrialist who has sold his company and did what his wife always wanted--move the family to Europe to soak up the culture. Unfortunately, instead of bringing the family together, this trip ended up exposing the truth about the marriage--that Mrs. Dodsworth was a selfish and shallow jerk. "Mama Steps Out" is a very, very similar story and is based on a play that debuted in 1930 and was filmed here in 1937 (a year after "Dodsworth"). The plot is essentially the same in many ways but instead of a drama, the film is played for laughs--and thereby loses so much of the impact of "Dodsworth". Now this doesn't mean it's a bad film but it's as if this reworking of the plot only produced a much more shallow and forgettable film.
Ada (Alice Brady) is sad because so far during their European trip, they've met no one and she desperately wants to fit into society. So, she instructs her boob of a husband, Len (Guy Kibbee) to bring home interesting people--with little success. Ultimately, Ada finds a bunch of folks--folks who are phonies and leeches. Not surprisingly, Len soon gets sick of them and throws the out--announcing that they're going home to America. Ada vows to stay in Europe. What's next?
If I had never heard of "Dodsworth", I would have probably enjoyed "Mama Steps Out" much more. But the problem is that "Dodsworth" is such a great story that the other can't help but seem like a very pale imitation. The edge and depth of "Dodsworth" is missing and instead "Mama Steps Out" is a light comedy--and loses much of the social commentary and depth in the process. It also provides a kooky ending--one that is rather bland. Now I am NOT saying "Mama Steps Out" is bad--it is still a nice and inoffensive time-passer.
One of the very best (and underrated) films of the 1930s was "Dodsworth". It was a sad tale written by Sinclair Lewis in 1929 about an industrialist who has sold his company and did what his wife always wanted--move the family to Europe to soak up the culture. Unfortunately, instead of bringing the family together, this trip ended up exposing the truth about the marriage--that Mrs. Dodsworth was a selfish and shallow jerk. "Mama Steps Out" is a very, very similar story and is based on a play that debuted in 1930 and was filmed here in 1937 (a year after "Dodsworth"). The plot is essentially the same in many ways but instead of a drama, the film is played for laughs--and thereby loses so much of the impact of "Dodsworth". Now this doesn't mean it's a bad film but it's as if this reworking of the plot only produced a much more shallow and forgettable film.
Ada (Alice Brady) is sad because so far during their European trip, they've met no one and she desperately wants to fit into society. So, she instructs her boob of a husband, Len (Guy Kibbee) to bring home interesting people--with little success. Ultimately, Ada finds a bunch of folks--folks who are phonies and leeches. Not surprisingly, Len soon gets sick of them and throws the out--announcing that they're going home to America. Ada vows to stay in Europe. What's next?
If I had never heard of "Dodsworth", I would have probably enjoyed "Mama Steps Out" much more. But the problem is that "Dodsworth" is such a great story that the other can't help but seem like a very pale imitation. The edge and depth of "Dodsworth" is missing and instead "Mama Steps Out" is a light comedy--and loses much of the social commentary and depth in the process. It also provides a kooky ending--one that is rather bland. Now I am NOT saying "Mama Steps Out" is bad--it is still a nice and inoffensive time-passer.
helpful•30
- planktonrules
- Jul 7, 2013
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Burnt Fingers
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 5 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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