My Dear Secretary ** (1948, Laraine Day, Kirk Douglas, Keenan Wynn, Rudy Vallee, Helen Walker) – Classic Movie Review 11,261

Director Charles Martin’s 1948 black and white film My Dear Secretary is a romantic comedy in the marital vein with a bestselling romance novel author (Kirk Douglas) whose secretary-turned-wife (Laraine Day) writes a bestseller, much to his annoyance.

Though lightweight and patchy, there is a fairly sparky script by the director in a movie with all the stars delivering the goods, and Keenan Wynn in particular on top form as Douglas’s ultra-helpful next-door neighbour, plus funny performances to treasure from Rudy Vallee, Helen Walker, Florence Bates, Alan Mowbray and Grady Sutton.

It is not really ideal material for Douglas, though.

Also in the cast are Irene Ryan, Gale Robbins, Virginia Hewitt, Abe Reynolds, Jody Gilbert, Helene Stanley, Russell Hicks, Gertrude Astor, Charles Halton, Joe Kirk, Martin Lamont and Stanley Andrews.

The failure of the copyright holder to renew the film’s copyright resulted in it falling into public domain.

My Dear Secretary is directed by Charles Martin, runs 94 minutes, is made by Cardinal Pictures, is released by United Artists, is written by Charles Martin, is shot in black and white by Joseph F Biroc, is produced by Harry M Popkin (executive producer) and Leo G Popkin, is scored by Heinz Roemheld and designed by Rudi Feld.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,261

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