Slightly Dangerous (1943)

Powerful

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Blistering performances.

This romantic comedy was the first time Lana Turner received top billing, and she does a wonderful job here, showing what the cinema missed in terms of her comedic timing, which was rarely put to use (a few of her films in the 1960s did pick up where this one left off). She plays a working girl Peggy Evans, who is bored with her hum-drum life and her job at a soda fountain. She clashes with her new boss, Bob Stuart (Robert Young), and this results in her disappearing from her old life and starting a new one, complete with a makeover. In doing so, it is believed that she committed suicide; Bob is blamed and loses his job. When she is accidentally knocked unconscious, it is assumed she has amnesia. Desperate to not return to her previous mundane existence, she poses as a long-lost heiress who disappeared as a child, and she is welcomed by the girl's wealthy father, Cornelius Burden (Walter Brennan) and the child's nurse, played by Dame Mae Witty. Bob comes across a photo of the recently returned Carol Burden and recognizes her, and sets out to prove that she is, in fact, Peggy Evans. From there, the comedic and romantic complications ensue.Also in the cast are Ward Bond as the Burden family bodyguard, Eugene Palette as the newspaper owner who takes Peggy in until her "father" comes for her; Alan Mowbray as a stranger whom Bob confides after tracking Peggy down at a concert; Pamela Blake as Peggy's co-worker at the soda fountain, and young Robert Blake has a small role as well. Turner and Young have an appealing chemistry and while they had previously worked together in "Rich Man, Poor Girl" (1938), this second film marked the first and last time they were paired on- screen. It's a shame because they could have been a wonderful movie team (pay close attention to their final kiss - quite steamy for 1943). Young, before he branched out into television, didn't always get the roles that he should have, which is unfortunate. He also had great comedic timing and was handsome and likable; Turner here is still very fresh and innocent, before her deadly femme fatale/blonde bombshell phase. If you love classic romantic comedies or if you are fan of the actors, you will most certainly enjoy this one.(The title of my review was in fact one of the considered titles for the film; others included "Nothing Ventured" and "Lawless" before "Slightly Dangerous" was ultimately chosen).

Slightly Dangerous finds Lana Turner bored with life in small town Hotchkiss Falls and bored with her job as a soda jerk in a department store. She even does her job making a banana split blindfolded to the amusement of the customer, but new general manager Robert Young finds he's not amused. She's fired, but then so is he after she leaves a fake suicide note saying she's throwing herself in the river.Instead she goes to New York and when she's hit by a falling ladder after she's heard talking to herself when she comes to, everyone thinks she's got amnesia. Instead using that she decides to become the long lost daughter of millionaire Walter Brennan who was lost at the age of 2 by nanny Dame May Witty while going to the circus.It's interesting that none of the previous reviewers noted that this a reworking of the Anastasia legend. But that's a serious story involving a plot to deliberately defraud the exiled Romanovs.Maybe I'm missing something here, but I find a comedy based on a premise of fraud and extortion not all that funny. Yet even with a lousy starting point, Slightly Dangerous does holdup somewhat because of the incredible cast of name performers in this film like Ray Collins, Ward Bond, Eugene Palette, and Alan Mowbray besides those already mentioned.And there's Lana Turner who just has to be Lana Turner to get me viewing a film. She's got that winsome quality throughout her films in the Forties that men and women found so appealing.Anyway with a cast like this, chances are you'll find something enjoyable about Slightly Dangerous.

The scene in which our heroine is forced to choose the most beloved toy in a room absolutely crammed with goodies, surely rates as one of the greatest moments in the cinema. As you know, I'm not a keen fan of Lana Turner, but here is a vehicle in which the blonde siren excels. Not only does she enjoy a highly sympathetic character to work on the audience with, but in Wesley Ruggles she has obviously found a sensitive director with the ability to help her exploit every dramatic and comedic opportunity the clever screenplay provides. True, poor old Robert Young does get jostled out of the picture for a while, but he does return with a couple of hilarious solo routines, including his famous toppling-over-the-balcony bit at the opera."Slightly Dangerous" not only revels in first-rate entertainment, but it's produced with Leo's customary flair and impeccable polish—including a wonderful roster of Hollywood bit players and cameo artists. Just look at that cast! In fact Wesley Ruggles was a director who paid particular attention to the minor character players and was always concerned that a scene be milked for its maximum effect. He'd quickly replace an actor who could not give him precisely the impact he wanted. For instance, Mickey Rooney's dad, Joe Yule, was originally cast as the painter, but the director thought he was too old and lacked the flair that this little bit needed. Yule was replaced by Joe Devlin.

Lana Turner is young and gorgeous in this light comedy about a waitress with a lucky penny and the dream of getting out of her humdrum life. The penny works wonders. After escaping her small town, a ladder falls on her in New York City - when she comes to, it's assumed she has amnesia (she was deciding on her new name when the ladder came crashing down). After a trip to the library, she decides to become a long-lost heiress who disappeared as a child in 1925.Robert Young plays her ex-boss who looks to expose her lie; Walter Brennan is her welcoming, wealthy father; Ward Bond is his security guy; Dame May Witty the heiress' former nanny. Ray Collins of "Perry Mason" fame also makes an appearance, as does Eugene Palette as the newspaper editor who prints the amnesiac's story. It's a terrific cast, with Young's role being a departure for him. He does it well. Lana is simply adorable.The movie leaves an open question, which is kind of fun, too. All in all, very enjoyable.