Model And The Marriage Broker

A Winning Comedy
With an actress like Thelma Ritter how could you go wrong. Why Ritter never won an Oscar is beyond reason. This is an undiscovered gem of a comedy about a marriage broker trying to bring together lonely people. Along comes model Jeanne Crain and Ritter sets her straight regarding men. Very entertaining film directed by George Cuker with some good supporting actors including Zero Mostel, Michael O'Shea, JC Flippen and Frank Fontaine. Don't miss this one. FOX's MOD release looks flawless. Keep up the good work FOX. BTW, Alfred Newman re-used part of the score a few years later for THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH.

Gem of a Comedy, Gem of a Print
Directed by George Cukor, "The Model and the Marriage Broker" is a hidden gem of a comedy that is being rediscovered. As the model, Jeanne Crain is as lovely as ever as a department store mannequin. As the marriage broker, Thelma Ritter steals the show with more screen time than Jeanne. At least, her name was listed above the title with Crain and leading man Scott Brady!

The supporting cast of characters who hire Ritter to find them mates are a marvel: Zero Mostel, Nancy Kulp, Frank Fontaine, Jay C. Flippen, Helen Ford, Dennie Moore and John Alexander. Plus Michael O'Shea as Ritter's card-playing buddy.

This is a striking black & white print with rich tones on DVD-R from Fox Cinema Archives.
A pleasant surprise in every way!

Nice little drama with one drawback
Thelma Ritter carries this film as a once two-timed women in the business of fixing up life's losers. Suddenly a rare gem falls in her lap in the form of Jeanne Crain (the model) who is going to get Thelma's services like it or not at no charge. Scott Brady is the lucky stiff (and I mean stiff) who gets set up with Crain. Not everyone is always fully in the know about other folk's motives but it is an entertaining film especially for the interplay of Ritter and Crain. There are a number of fine small supporting performances by the clients of Ritter's services throughout. The only real drawback is Brady who by his iffy acting and frankly at times "smarmy" character in the film leave you asking what Jeanne Crain's character could even see in him. If you like Thelma Ritter it is a must have.

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