This is the nineteenth in the Blondie movie series. The Bumsteads are back from a two-week vacation, granted to them by Dagwood's boss, Mr. Dithers. We later find out why he was so generous: He sold his construction firm to a Mr. George M. Radcliffe (Jerome Cowan) who, unlike Dithers, is unmarried. He also seems to have even more of a temper than his predecessor as Dag initially finds out after meeting him earlier on the bus! I'll stop there and just say this was another funny one in the series especially when all those things happen to Mr. Radcliffe. Oh, and Eddie Acuff returns as the postman here as he gets a larger showcase when he gets pestered by an insurance man throughout the course of the movie. There's also some amusing scenes involving a kid named "Slugger" (Johnny Granath). So on that note, I recommend Blondie's Big Moment.
8 Reviews
The new boss
bkoganbing19 October 2015
This Blondie feature offers a new challenge to one of the Bumsteads. J.C. Dithers has sold his business after Dagwood has just enjoyed a nice vacation. Dithers arranged it so that the new owner George Radcliffe won't meet Arthur Lake before the deal is consummated.
Anyway poor Lake finds out that his new boss is Jerome Cowan and things just happen in the usual Bumstead fashion to annoy Cowan enough to put his job in jeopardy. As it is he loses his private office.
But Blondie takes a hand and invites the new boss to dinner along with the new school teacher the Bumstead kids have played by Anita Louise. She's a woman with progressive ideas including a take your kids to the office day. She gets on Cowan's nerves as does Johnny Granatti who is a new friend to Alexander and who beans Cowan with a baseball.
Once again the Bumstead's lives and livelihood are threatened. But there certainly is an unseen power that protects Dagwood and Blondie, never more apparent than in Blondie's big moment.
Cowan who usually is in dramatic parts, best known as Myles Archer in The Maltese Falcon does well in this unusual comic turn for him. Arthur Lake and Penny Singleton are their usual funny selves in this feature.
The only question is how long will Cowan hold on to the business having to deal with Dagwood every day.
Anyway poor Lake finds out that his new boss is Jerome Cowan and things just happen in the usual Bumstead fashion to annoy Cowan enough to put his job in jeopardy. As it is he loses his private office.
But Blondie takes a hand and invites the new boss to dinner along with the new school teacher the Bumstead kids have played by Anita Louise. She's a woman with progressive ideas including a take your kids to the office day. She gets on Cowan's nerves as does Johnny Granatti who is a new friend to Alexander and who beans Cowan with a baseball.
Once again the Bumstead's lives and livelihood are threatened. But there certainly is an unseen power that protects Dagwood and Blondie, never more apparent than in Blondie's big moment.
Cowan who usually is in dramatic parts, best known as Myles Archer in The Maltese Falcon does well in this unusual comic turn for him. Arthur Lake and Penny Singleton are their usual funny selves in this feature.
The only question is how long will Cowan hold on to the business having to deal with Dagwood every day.
What big moment?! A better title would be "Dagwood Gets a Nasty Boss" or "Dagwood's Balancing Act"!
planktonrules13 August 2017
While I really enjoy the Blondie and Dagwood films, I sure have noticed that the titles of the movies are completely random and have nothing to do with what you see. "Blondie's Big Moment"?? What big moment? The film instead is about Dagwood's nasty new boss and his attempts to keep his job and keep his family happy.
The story finds the Bumsteads returning home from a vacation and Dagwood is in a great mood. However, he doesn't know that Mr. Dithers sold the company and the new owner is a complete jerk. But, as you'd expect from Dagwood, he manages to insult the boss and take a bad situation and make it so much worse. It's so bad that Dagwood is demoted and could easily find himself unemployed. At the same time, Alexander and his classmates are looking forward to visiting Dagwood's office...and Dagwood is both afraid to disappoint them and afraid to tell his ultra-nasty boss. What's to come of all this?
The fact that everything magically works out by the end of the film is a given if you've seen other films in the series. But the new boss truly is a jerk. Dithers was blustery but decent down deep...Mr. Radcliffe is pretty much a jerk-face. Perhaps he'll mellow in future films. Regardless, as usual the story is engaging and enjoyable and it's worth seeing.
The story finds the Bumsteads returning home from a vacation and Dagwood is in a great mood. However, he doesn't know that Mr. Dithers sold the company and the new owner is a complete jerk. But, as you'd expect from Dagwood, he manages to insult the boss and take a bad situation and make it so much worse. It's so bad that Dagwood is demoted and could easily find himself unemployed. At the same time, Alexander and his classmates are looking forward to visiting Dagwood's office...and Dagwood is both afraid to disappoint them and afraid to tell his ultra-nasty boss. What's to come of all this?
The fact that everything magically works out by the end of the film is a given if you've seen other films in the series. But the new boss truly is a jerk. Dithers was blustery but decent down deep...Mr. Radcliffe is pretty much a jerk-face. Perhaps he'll mellow in future films. Regardless, as usual the story is engaging and enjoyable and it's worth seeing.
Postman, watch out for Blondie!
dougdoepke9 July 2022
Can Dagwood hold on to his job? After all, he's spilled floppy fruit jelly all over his new boss Radcliffe; plus, he can't seem to distinguish dead fish from legal papers, even when his employer hangs in the balance.
But then, he is Dagwood and we do want goofy laughs. Good thing there's plenty in this solid B&D nutty farce. Most of the flick centers in D's office area, while the poor postman gets flattened, as usual. So, sidewalks, better watch out, this time for hard charging B, which I guess shows women can be bulldozers as well as men, even in 1945.
Anyway, the entry again shows why the series continued as long as it did. Chuckles galore. And, oh yeah, catch movie vet Cowan showing that he's got a goofy side as well as his usual Mr. Sober Sides. What a surprise for old movie fans (But why does IMDB list him so far down in the credits; really, the flick's his comic mugging showcase). Whatever the case, I sure hope Daisy and family got extra kibbles for performing on cue, and that B got to keep that sexy sparkly dress she wears to my delight. Then too, what about goggle-eyed little Slugger! Why doesn't he ever speak. Stay tuned to find out.
Meanwhile, I'm getting the next series DVD ready for loading after the next tough work day. In fact, my collection amounts to a reliable treasure for ready viewing, thanks mainly to the incomparable Lake and Singleton. So, chuckle-fest, play on.
But then, he is Dagwood and we do want goofy laughs. Good thing there's plenty in this solid B&D nutty farce. Most of the flick centers in D's office area, while the poor postman gets flattened, as usual. So, sidewalks, better watch out, this time for hard charging B, which I guess shows women can be bulldozers as well as men, even in 1945.
Anyway, the entry again shows why the series continued as long as it did. Chuckles galore. And, oh yeah, catch movie vet Cowan showing that he's got a goofy side as well as his usual Mr. Sober Sides. What a surprise for old movie fans (But why does IMDB list him so far down in the credits; really, the flick's his comic mugging showcase). Whatever the case, I sure hope Daisy and family got extra kibbles for performing on cue, and that B got to keep that sexy sparkly dress she wears to my delight. Then too, what about goggle-eyed little Slugger! Why doesn't he ever speak. Stay tuned to find out.
Meanwhile, I'm getting the next series DVD ready for loading after the next tough work day. In fact, my collection amounts to a reliable treasure for ready viewing, thanks mainly to the incomparable Lake and Singleton. So, chuckle-fest, play on.
Blondie Meets the New Boss
lugonian16 January 2007
BLONDIE'S BIG MOMENT (Columbia, 1947), directed by Abby Berlin, Number 19 and counting, into the life and misadventures of the Bumstead family, marks a new development in the series with some overly familiar themes. Jerome Cowan joins the cast as Dagwood's new boss, Mr. Radcliffe (better known by his employees as RATcliffe), taking over where Mr. Dithers left off. Cowan had earlier appeared in BLONDIE KNOWS BEST (1946), but under another character portrayal.
Plot summary: The Bumsteads, Blondie (Penny Singleton), Dagwood (Arthur Lake), Alexander (Larry Simms), Cookie (Marjorie Kent) and Daisy, return home from summer vacation, compliments of Mr. Dithers, who had his reasons for granting them time away from home. Upon their arrival, with Dagwood all sunburned around his face, they are greeted by neighbor Alvin Fuddow (Danny Mummert) with a supply of jelly donuts. While on his way to work in a crowded bus, it doesn't take Dagwood long to become accident prone, bumping into a fellow passenger (Jerome Cowan) and accidentally spilling jelly from his donut all over his good suit. The passenger becomes even more annoyed when Dagwood starts heading towards his direction after getting off the bus. (Why is he following me?). What they don't know is that each have unwittingly switched briefcases, with Dagwood's supplied with fish for one of his employee friends. By the time Dagwood comes to the office, he notices the surroundings quiet and tense for that Mr. Dithers has sold the construction firm now controlled by George M. Radcliffe, who happens to be twice as strict as Dithers. Much to Dagwood's dismay, they's already met on the bus, and he is soon demoted after his new boss opens the briefcase filled with fish. Enter Blondie, who, instead of being the typical pleading housewife speaking for her husband, wins this hot-headed bachelor over with kindness, flattery, and an invitation to dinner. All goes well, especially after Radcliffe is introduced to another guest, Harriet Gary (Anita Louise), Alexander's attractive blonde schoolteacher whose there to ask Mr. Bumstead permission to take her class over to his place of work to learn more about the business world. Radcliffe, however, is willing to overlook Dagwood's past mistakes and reinstate his position if he is able to locate suitable property for Mr. Greenleaf (Jack Davis), an important client. They do find one by a baseball field where Radcliffe is struck on the head by a passing ball, thanks to a near-sited little boy named Slugger (Johnny Granath) at the bat. Complications ensue as Dagwood discovers Slugger, who never utters a word, to be Alexander's guest for the weekend. Dagwood's next dilemma is to keep Slugger out of Radcliffe's reach both at his home and at the office during Miss Gary's visitation with the class.
Predictable chain of events that rank BLONDIE'S BIG MOMENT another amusing 71 minutes. The title appears to be a misnomer, since it sounds like a blessed event story or Blondie obtaining the lead in a big stage production, for that this is really the one where Blondie meets the boss instead of its second entry, released in 1939, which states that through its title.
Supporting players consist of Jack Rice as Ollie Merton, Dagwood's rival acting as Radcliffe's "Yes" man in order to get Bumstead's job; Eddie Acuff as Mr. Beasley, the postman (no need to go into detail to what happens to him); Hal K. Dawson as Mr. Little; and Dick Wessel as a bus driver named Charlie, who would later replace Acuff as the neighborhood postman in future installments. Guest star Anita Louise, better known for her screen roles at Warner Brothers in the 1930s, makes a charming presence to this entry, who finds Mr. Radcliffe irritable and self-centered, especially after finding out how he feels towards children, particularly Slugger, whose always around when Radcliffe meets with an accident, with Dagwood being no help to him either.
BLONDIE'S BIG MOMENT, formerly displayed on video cassette through King Features, had its successful run, along with 28 other "Blondie" comedies in the series, on American Movie Classics cable channel (1996-2001) where most of the films contained restored theatrical opening and closing credits. Next installment: BLONDIE'S HOLIDAY (1947). (**1/2)
Plot summary: The Bumsteads, Blondie (Penny Singleton), Dagwood (Arthur Lake), Alexander (Larry Simms), Cookie (Marjorie Kent) and Daisy, return home from summer vacation, compliments of Mr. Dithers, who had his reasons for granting them time away from home. Upon their arrival, with Dagwood all sunburned around his face, they are greeted by neighbor Alvin Fuddow (Danny Mummert) with a supply of jelly donuts. While on his way to work in a crowded bus, it doesn't take Dagwood long to become accident prone, bumping into a fellow passenger (Jerome Cowan) and accidentally spilling jelly from his donut all over his good suit. The passenger becomes even more annoyed when Dagwood starts heading towards his direction after getting off the bus. (Why is he following me?). What they don't know is that each have unwittingly switched briefcases, with Dagwood's supplied with fish for one of his employee friends. By the time Dagwood comes to the office, he notices the surroundings quiet and tense for that Mr. Dithers has sold the construction firm now controlled by George M. Radcliffe, who happens to be twice as strict as Dithers. Much to Dagwood's dismay, they's already met on the bus, and he is soon demoted after his new boss opens the briefcase filled with fish. Enter Blondie, who, instead of being the typical pleading housewife speaking for her husband, wins this hot-headed bachelor over with kindness, flattery, and an invitation to dinner. All goes well, especially after Radcliffe is introduced to another guest, Harriet Gary (Anita Louise), Alexander's attractive blonde schoolteacher whose there to ask Mr. Bumstead permission to take her class over to his place of work to learn more about the business world. Radcliffe, however, is willing to overlook Dagwood's past mistakes and reinstate his position if he is able to locate suitable property for Mr. Greenleaf (Jack Davis), an important client. They do find one by a baseball field where Radcliffe is struck on the head by a passing ball, thanks to a near-sited little boy named Slugger (Johnny Granath) at the bat. Complications ensue as Dagwood discovers Slugger, who never utters a word, to be Alexander's guest for the weekend. Dagwood's next dilemma is to keep Slugger out of Radcliffe's reach both at his home and at the office during Miss Gary's visitation with the class.
Predictable chain of events that rank BLONDIE'S BIG MOMENT another amusing 71 minutes. The title appears to be a misnomer, since it sounds like a blessed event story or Blondie obtaining the lead in a big stage production, for that this is really the one where Blondie meets the boss instead of its second entry, released in 1939, which states that through its title.
Supporting players consist of Jack Rice as Ollie Merton, Dagwood's rival acting as Radcliffe's "Yes" man in order to get Bumstead's job; Eddie Acuff as Mr. Beasley, the postman (no need to go into detail to what happens to him); Hal K. Dawson as Mr. Little; and Dick Wessel as a bus driver named Charlie, who would later replace Acuff as the neighborhood postman in future installments. Guest star Anita Louise, better known for her screen roles at Warner Brothers in the 1930s, makes a charming presence to this entry, who finds Mr. Radcliffe irritable and self-centered, especially after finding out how he feels towards children, particularly Slugger, whose always around when Radcliffe meets with an accident, with Dagwood being no help to him either.
BLONDIE'S BIG MOMENT, formerly displayed on video cassette through King Features, had its successful run, along with 28 other "Blondie" comedies in the series, on American Movie Classics cable channel (1996-2001) where most of the films contained restored theatrical opening and closing credits. Next installment: BLONDIE'S HOLIDAY (1947). (**1/2)
Why don't they check with Chic?
JohnHowardReid11 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Penny Singleton (Blondie), Arthur Lake (Dagwood), Larry Simms (Alexander), Marjorie Kent (Cookie), Anita Louise (Miss Gray), Jerome Cowan (George M. Radcliffe), Danny Mummert (Alvin Fuddle), Jack Rice (Ollie), Jack Davis (Mr Greenleaf), Johnny Granath (Slugger), Hal K. Dawson (Mr Little), Eddie Acuff (mailman), Alyn Lockwood (Mary), Robert De Haven (Pete), Robert Stevens (Joe), Douglas Wood (Theodore Payson), Dick Wessel (bus driver), and "Daisy".
Director: ABBY BERLIN. Original screenplay: Connie Lee. Based on the comic strip "Blondie" by Chic Young. Photography: Allen Siegler. Film editor: Jerome Thoms. Art director: Ben Hayme. Set decorator: Louis Diage. Music director: Mischa Bakaleinikoff. Producer: Burt Kelly.
Copyright 9 January 1947 by Columbia Pictures Corp. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: 9 January 1947. U.K. release: 3 March 1947. Australian release: 13 November 1947. 6,384 feet. 70 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Dagwood returns from vacation to find he has a new boss.
NOTES: Number 19 of the 28-picture series.
COMMENT: As usual, the title means absolutely nothing and not only gives not the slightest clue to the film's story content but has nothing to do with the plot at all! But this is one of the key films of the series and if you're just watching the best of them, this one is a must, as it's the one wherein Dagwood returns from a vacation to find Dithers has sold out to Radcliffe, enthusiastically played by Jerome Cowan (never mind that he played Peabody, an obnoxious client in the last episode).
Aside from its importance in the continuing story of..., this film is an entertaining entry. Berlin's direction is mercilessly routine except for an overhead shot at the climax, but it has pace; and production values are not bad. And while the script isn't witty or particularly funny, it serves to introduce some amusing characterizations by such as Jack Rice — here given his head as the obsequious Ollie (Oliver Merton on his door), — Eddie Acuff and Hal K. Dawson. It's also nice to see Anita Louise — though she hasn't all that much to do, and is photographed in Miss Singleton's shade.
In order to hide Penny's years, which were becoming very apparent in her previous films, and make her over into the attractive wife demanded by the script, a different photographer has been used here — with somewhat qualified success. Siegler has lensed the film throughout in a soft-focus, muzzy style which gives it the look of a second rate dupe.
As previously noted, all present prints in the Blondie series now run exactly 78 minutes (which comes down to exactly 75 minutes on television because of TV's slightly increased projection speed). King Features are using out-takes to bring all the movies up to this standard length, sometimes with less than happy results. But on this occasion, there's absolutely no evidence of padding at all. Connie Lee's script is more substantial than her usual efforts.
Incidentally, it seems unlikely that Radcliffe would be traveling to work on a bus. And this movie bus disappointingly is a single- decker, not the open-air double-decker that figures so prominently in Chic Young's cartoon strip!
Director: ABBY BERLIN. Original screenplay: Connie Lee. Based on the comic strip "Blondie" by Chic Young. Photography: Allen Siegler. Film editor: Jerome Thoms. Art director: Ben Hayme. Set decorator: Louis Diage. Music director: Mischa Bakaleinikoff. Producer: Burt Kelly.
Copyright 9 January 1947 by Columbia Pictures Corp. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: 9 January 1947. U.K. release: 3 March 1947. Australian release: 13 November 1947. 6,384 feet. 70 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Dagwood returns from vacation to find he has a new boss.
NOTES: Number 19 of the 28-picture series.
COMMENT: As usual, the title means absolutely nothing and not only gives not the slightest clue to the film's story content but has nothing to do with the plot at all! But this is one of the key films of the series and if you're just watching the best of them, this one is a must, as it's the one wherein Dagwood returns from a vacation to find Dithers has sold out to Radcliffe, enthusiastically played by Jerome Cowan (never mind that he played Peabody, an obnoxious client in the last episode).
Aside from its importance in the continuing story of..., this film is an entertaining entry. Berlin's direction is mercilessly routine except for an overhead shot at the climax, but it has pace; and production values are not bad. And while the script isn't witty or particularly funny, it serves to introduce some amusing characterizations by such as Jack Rice — here given his head as the obsequious Ollie (Oliver Merton on his door), — Eddie Acuff and Hal K. Dawson. It's also nice to see Anita Louise — though she hasn't all that much to do, and is photographed in Miss Singleton's shade.
In order to hide Penny's years, which were becoming very apparent in her previous films, and make her over into the attractive wife demanded by the script, a different photographer has been used here — with somewhat qualified success. Siegler has lensed the film throughout in a soft-focus, muzzy style which gives it the look of a second rate dupe.
As previously noted, all present prints in the Blondie series now run exactly 78 minutes (which comes down to exactly 75 minutes on television because of TV's slightly increased projection speed). King Features are using out-takes to bring all the movies up to this standard length, sometimes with less than happy results. But on this occasion, there's absolutely no evidence of padding at all. Connie Lee's script is more substantial than her usual efforts.
Incidentally, it seems unlikely that Radcliffe would be traveling to work on a bus. And this movie bus disappointingly is a single- decker, not the open-air double-decker that figures so prominently in Chic Young's cartoon strip!
Plot comes together like a good jigsaw puzzle
scottschada@yahoo.com12 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
There's a lot going on in this breezy and amusing outing. Title "Blondie's Big Moment" refers to her saving the day in making amends with Dagwood's new boss Mr.. Radcliffe, and getting Dag's position and office back. There is also a mute little boy "Slugger", whose baseball field will be taken away by Radcliffe's client as a building site for his drug manufacturing headquarters, if Dagwood is to keep his job and office. Alvin's new teacher, Miss Gary, is taking Alvin's class to Dagwood's non-existent office to see what does on in big downtown offices.
By the way, Jerome Cowan is perfect in his role a the new boss and crucial to my high opinion of this entry in the Dagwood series.
Jelly donuts ("bismarks" in the Midwest) have a recurring part in the slapstick elements, as well as a twist on the usual mailman clash (or crash) at the Bumstead house, and the whole film is peppered with clever lines.
There is a surprise ending involving Slugger and his family background and Mr. Radcliffe, which of course leads to Dagwood's eventual success and a happy ending for all.
By the way, Jerome Cowan is perfect in his role a the new boss and crucial to my high opinion of this entry in the Dagwood series.
Jelly donuts ("bismarks" in the Midwest) have a recurring part in the slapstick elements, as well as a twist on the usual mailman clash (or crash) at the Bumstead house, and the whole film is peppered with clever lines.
There is a surprise ending involving Slugger and his family background and Mr. Radcliffe, which of course leads to Dagwood's eventual success and a happy ending for all.
"Dagwood Bumstead, this is no time to be acting like a man!"
mark.waltz9 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Returning from vacation, Dagwood discovers that Mr. Dithers has sold the business to equally crabby Jerome Cowan (who played a business associate in the previous entry), and it's up to Blondie through her well meaning interference to advance her husband's opportunities and get his office back after a demotion. It's fun to see Blondie being called out for her subtle but obvious buttinsky manner by Dagwood's longtime associates who ridicule Dagwood for not standing up to her.
After 8 years in the series, Jonathan Hale was written off (and continued in a very busy career elsewhere), and Cowan is as decent a replacement as you could expect. "Blondie" focusing on business rather than family matters made the show tedious at times, much like later sitcoms that utilized that theme far too much. Anita Louise, a veteran ingenue from the 1930's, appears as Larry Simms and Danny Mummert's teacher who is Cowan's blind date for a dinner party, with Johnny Granath playing another student who upsets Cowan and later assaults him with jelly from a donut.
There are some very funny moments, and of course, the introduction of Arthur Lake and Jerome Cowan has a very amusing set-up. It is obvious that the writers were getting desperate to keep the series going although in the case of this one, it hasn't quite bitten the bullet yet. At least there's something different this time around with postman Eddie Acuff and a pesky insurance agent.
After 8 years in the series, Jonathan Hale was written off (and continued in a very busy career elsewhere), and Cowan is as decent a replacement as you could expect. "Blondie" focusing on business rather than family matters made the show tedious at times, much like later sitcoms that utilized that theme far too much. Anita Louise, a veteran ingenue from the 1930's, appears as Larry Simms and Danny Mummert's teacher who is Cowan's blind date for a dinner party, with Johnny Granath playing another student who upsets Cowan and later assaults him with jelly from a donut.
There are some very funny moments, and of course, the introduction of Arthur Lake and Jerome Cowan has a very amusing set-up. It is obvious that the writers were getting desperate to keep the series going although in the case of this one, it hasn't quite bitten the bullet yet. At least there's something different this time around with postman Eddie Acuff and a pesky insurance agent.
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