January 22 movie: John Loves Mary. This is one of those wacky farces based on a tissue of lies that's simultaneously funny and cringe-inducing. Ronald Reagan plays a WWII vet who helps out a war buddy (Jack Carson) by marrying the buddy's long-lost British girlfriend to get her into the country. Why didn't he just write Carson and tell him that he found the girl? Because then there would be no movie. Reagan was already engaged to Patricia Neal, a senator's daughter. Why doesn't he just tell her what's going on? Because then there would be no movie.
This was funny, but totally wrong for Patricia Neal. She's much better as a serious actress than in a silly movie like this. On the other hand, Reagan was scarily appropriate for the GI who lies constantly but with the best of intentions, and is forgiven by everyone when he gets caught and flashes his "aw shucks" grin.
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