PLEASE BELIEVE ME
US, 1950, 87 minutes, Black and white.
Deborah Kerr, Robert Walker, Mark Stevens, Peter Lawford, James Whitmore, J. Carrol Naish, Spring Byington.
Directed by Norman Taurog.
Please Believe Me is a small-budget light comedy with a strong cast. It was an opportunity for Deborah Kerr to move from more serious roles to a touch of comedy. Her three suitors are played by Robert Walker, soon to die, Mark Stevens who did not headline too many films, and Peter Lawford. James Whitmore plays his usual sidekick. J. Carrol Naish plays, once more, a villain.
The film was directed by Norman Taurog who won an Oscar for Skippy in 1931, directed several Martin and Lewis comedies and many Elvis Presley films. Deborah Kerr is an alleged heiress travelling to the United States, Robert Walker is a conman, Mark Stevens a lawyer who has to keep playboy Peter Lawford under control. There is rivalry for romance – some twists, Deborah Kerr taking charge of the situation and a happy ending.
1. An old-style comedy from the 40s and 50s? The touch of the screwball comedy? Characters, situations – plausible, credible?
2. Black and white photography, London, New York, the ocean voyage? The musical score?
3. The title, Alison considered a fraud? Terry and his con trick? The attitude of Matt Kinston? Jeremy Taylor and the final con?
4. The situation with Alison, her friendship with the Texan, his letters to her? The ranch, old house, horse, valueless? The friends playing cards? The reading of the will? Alison inheriting? Her decision to go to the United States? Her friends?
5. Alison on board, the attentions from Terry, the assistance of Vincent? The cabin, her being upgraded? Terry footing the bill? Vincent’s exasperation? The encounter with Matt, his attraction, his suspicions, thinking her a fraud? His aggressive attitude? Jeremy and his playboy nonchalance?
6. The voyage, the comedy of the attentions of all the men, their various devices of getting rid of each other? Jeremy being on a short leash, pretending to be with the girl, getting rid of Matt? Their background together at school? Matt and his having to keep an eye on Jeremy’s finances? Terry and his shrewdness, his playing up to Alison as if he knew all about cattle and ranches?
7. The captain’s table, Mrs Milwright and her snobbery? Trying to get her daughter next to Jeremy? Jeremy being bored at the table?
8. The landing in New York? The apartment and hotel? Terry and the payments? His visits to Reilly? Getting the money from him? The sure thing? Sending Vincent to look at the ranch?
9. The ranch, valueless, Vincent fainting, coming back to New York? Matt and his investigations? His suspicions?
10. The shopping, Terry paying the money? Jeremy and his trying to one-up Terry?
11. The revelation of the truth? Alison taking charge? The money? The con with the rug? Buying it, Jeremy buying it, wanting to sue? His not having any legal grounds?
12. Alison and her going to Reilly, his succumbing to her demands? The irony of each of the three men and the hold they had over Reilly? His assistant wanting to back-answer but not able to?
13. The final choice, the happy ending?
