“I find myself in an extremely awkward position.” —Cas
Today’s quick review: Casanova Brown. Casanova Brown (Gary Cooper) is on the eve of marrying Madge Ferris (Anita Louise) when he gets the news that Isabel Drury (Teresa Wright), his one-time bride, might be pregnant. Racing to Chicago to see if the news is true, Cas recalls the circumstances of his abrupt marriage to Isabel and their speedy annulment. Now Cas must decide whether to return to Isabel or stay with Madge.
Casanova Brown is a classic romantic comedy about a man torn between the woman he’s about to marry and the woman he already did. Gary Cooper stars as Casanova Brown, a mild-mannered literature professor whose brief fling has come back to haunt him. The movie draws its humor from colorful characters and the tangle matrimonial situation Cas finds himself in. But in spite of some credible humor, Casanova Brown ultimately falls flat.
Casanova Brown misplays its hand. The movie relies heavily on eccentric characters like Madge’s father J.J. (Frank Morgan) to inject comedy into its scenes. The characters work well enough, but they carry too much of the weight, making the humor feel forced. Casanova Brown is also more reliant on misunderstandings than other comedies, with frustrating sequences that hinge entirely on characters being too passive or too presumptuous.
How much you get out of Casanova Brown will come down to taste. Fans of classic madcap comedies will find something to like, thanks to some decent gags and a situation that rapidly spirals out of control. But the movie is missing the clever humor, the nuance, and the sharply coordinated story that the best comedies have, leaving it an uneven watch with a mediocre payoff. Interested viewers should approach with caution.
For a classic madcap comedy about mild-mannered man waylaid on the eve of his wedding, try Bringing Up Baby. For a more tragic love story starring Gary Cooper, try The Wedding Night. For a modern, minimalistic drama where a man takes responsibility for an affair, try Locke.
[6.3 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036699/). I give it a 6.0 for spirited humor that largely misses the mark.