RHUBARB

US, 1951, 94 minutes, Black and white.
Ray Milland, Jan Sterling, Gene Lockhart, William Frawley.
Directed by Arthur Lubin.

Rhubarb is based on a popular story, by H. Allen Smith. The film was directed by Arthur Lubin who directed several of the Francis the Talking Mule films. This was a great help as Rhubarb is a very active cat.

While the film stars Ray Milland and Jan Sterling, who hold their own against the cat, the cat is certainly the focus of enjoyment and attention. The cat is made to seem almost human although the character is observed rather than sympathised with. The goings-on involve a greedy heiress and a murder attempt, allergy by the heroine, the administration of American financial empire by the hero, a losing baseball team, kidnapping gangsters. While it is all nonsense, it is very engaging '50s nonsense.

1. An entertaining comedy fantasy?

2. A film of the 1950s: black and white photography, the atmosphere of New York, the focus on the financial empire, the ambitious daughter, criminals, baseball teams? The film's editing and pace? The techniques used for focusing on Rhubarb - close-ups, the MGM-style roar, the emotional reactions, the action sequences, chases? The jaunty score?

3. The ironic focus on the cat? T. J. Banner and his infatuation with the cat? Leaving all his money to the cat? The world headlines? The human reaction - dismay, greed, hatred? The effect of the cat as mascot for the team? Thousands in sports stands standing to acclaim the cat? The comment on human nature and its love for animals?

4. Eric as hero - Ray Milland and his deadpan comic style? Work for T. J. Banner, capturing Rhubarb - with difficulty? Love for Polly? His heading financial administration? The clash with Myra? The difficulties with the team and his persuading them to accept Rhubarb as mascot? The difficulties and putting off the wedding? Polly's allergy? Rescuing Rhubarb from Myra? The court case and Polly's allergy winning the day? The kidnapping and the rescue? The happy ending?

5. Polly as pleasant hero? Her father and the baseball team? Her allergy? Her dismay at the wedding being put off? The court case and her saving the day? Her sniffing out the criminals and thus rescuing Rhubarb?

6. T. J. Banner and his amusing infatuation with the cat - Gene Lockhart giving a credible performance to persuade the audience early enough that he could leave the money to the cat? Len and his friendship with T.J.? The difficulties with the team? Rhubarb as mascot?

7. The various members of the team - and their attraction towards Rhubarb - with Eric manipulating them? The ups and downs of the baseball matches? The background of criminals - bookies and kidnaps? The police and the rivalry between Manhattan and Brooklyn?

8. Myra and her selfishness, her attempt to kill Rhubarb, the deal with the criminals?

9. The use of comic and gangster conventions and screwball comedy to make this an unexpectedly enjoyable film?

PS: Star Jan Sterling's husband, Paul Douglas, appears at the end of the film -with a jokey pun on his success in the film A Letter to Three Wives.