The Reformer and the Redhead

Director: Norman Panama, Melvin Frank Norman Panama

Overview

MGM's The Reformer and the Redhead was the first directorial collaboration of longtime screenwriting partners Norman Panama and Melvin Frank. The reformer is Andrew Rockton Hale (Dick Powell), a mayoral candidate. Hale butts heads with a corrupt political machine, which has recently ordered the firings of several innocent city employees, including zookeeper Kevin Maguire (Cecil Kellaway). The redhead in the case is Maguire's daughter Kathleen (June Allyson), who joins Hale's election team, only to turn on him after a series of misunderstandings. The farcical proceedings culminate in a bit of Bringing Up Baby-style slapstick involving a ferocious lion. By the time Reformer and the Redhead was filmed, Dick Powell and June Allyson had been married for five years.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/04/2013
UPC:	0883316797655
Original Release:	1950
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Language:	English
Time:	1:30:00
Sales rank:	49,910

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

June Allyson	Kathleen 'Kathy' Maguire
Dick Powell	Andrew 'Andy' Rockton Hale
David Wayne	Arthur 'Artie' Colner Maxwell
Cecil Kellaway	Dr. Kevin G. Maguire
Ray Collins	Commodore John Baldwin Parker
Robert Keith	Tim Harveigh
Marvin Kaplan	Leon
Kathleen Freeman	Lily Rayton Parker
Wally Maher	Jerry Nolard Boyle
Alex Gerry	James I. Michell
Charles Evans	Mr. Eberle
Paul Maxey	Thompson
Melvin Frank	Actor
Spring Byington	Actor
David Raksin	Composer

Technical Credits

Norman Panama

Melvin Frank

Norman Panama	Director,Producer,Screenwriter
Melvin Frank	Director,Producer,Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

A middling but certainly amiable little romantic comedy, The Reformer and the Redhead might have been better if it had settled upon a better mix of political comedy and romantic entanglements. It's rather too lightweight for any serious political insight, and the mistaken identity animal subplot feels a bit tacked on; as a result, Reformer never really finds its footing. That's too bad, for while Norman Panama and Melvin Frank haven't created a screenplay that's overflowing with Shavian wit, they have at least provided a very suitable amount of gag lines and dependably comic situations. Equally important, they have set these lines and situations up with skill and precision, making theme come across with maximum comic impact. They're also blessed with a fine star duo in the husband-and-wife Dick Powell and June Allyson, each of whom plays his/her part with an ease that is quite admirable. Throw in delightful support from Cecil Kellaway, David Wayne, Marvin Kaplan, and others, and the result is a confection that's pleasing enough, if not one that's going to win any awards.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler