JUST THIS ONCE
US, 1952, 90 minutes, Black and white.
Janet Leigh, Peter Lawford, Lewis Stone, Marilyn Erskine, Richard Anderson.
Directed by Don Weis.
Just This Once is a pleasant example of a 1950s romantic comedy. It was directed by Don Weis, director of similar light films as Remains to be Seen, You For Me, I Love Melvin – as well as a long career in television. It was written by popular novelist Sidney Sheldon.
Peter Lawford portrays a millionaire who is careless with his money. Lewis Stone (memories of Judge Hardy) is a judge who administers the estate and is concerned. Janet Leigh is a single-minded lawyer with an eye to managing money. She is appointed as administrator.
Initially, of course, the couple clash, she trying to teach him to live a responsible life. He resisting. She has an earnest fiancé, played by Richard Anderson.
The film shows amusing situations with the battle of the sexes, Janet Leigh being very strong-minded (aged only twenty-five at the time) in her lawyer role. Peter Lawford is at ease in this kind of romantic comedy – making You For Me the same year, with Don Weis.
The film has a very quick happy ending with a humorous joke at the end.
1. A pleasant romantic comedy? Early 1950s style?
2. New York settings, black and white photography, musical score, the light touch?
3. The introduction to Mark, the miming with his girlfriend at her apartment door? His going home? His financial situation? Inherited money? The lavish mansion and the artworks? Judge Coulter and his earnestness? Mark and his lack of responsibility?
4. The judge, in court, concerned about Mark’s affairs? Lucy and her pleading for the man owed thirty-five dollars? Single-minded? The judge and his reaction, offering the job of administering Mark’s estate? The dinner, his flirting, his accepting her in the position?
5. Lucy at the office, Gertrude at the phone? The other workers and their support and friendship? Her cancelling all the accounts? Recovering the furs? Mark and his reaction, going to lunch, Lucy taking him to the automat for a fifty-cent lunch, his bribing the waiter?
6. Mark, his reactions, courting Lucy, antagonism towards her? Going abroad in his plane, the phone call in Honolulu, his return? Lucy and her continuing to work, control him, give an allowance? The discussions with Judge Coulter?
7. Tom, earnest, his job, meeting Mark after he moved into Lucy’s apartment because she was responsible for him? The offer of the high raise, Lucy’s objections, Tom turning it down? Mark and his bewilderment?
8. Lucy’s change of tactics, wanting to charm Mark so that he would leave her? The outing with Tom, the zoo, Mark’s promise of the Mediterranean yacht for the honeymoon? The return home? The incident in the elevator and Tom being upset, Mark moving out?
9. Tom, his job, his boring talk? Mark and his change of heart, allegedly getting a job, reading the science book and feeding it back to Lucy? Her initial believing? The judge revealing they were playing golf? The final confrontation? Lucy telling Mark off? Tom backing away?
10. The finale, Mark getting a job in the navy – managing the navy’s financial affairs? A humorous jokey ending for this kind of romantic comedy?
