Tom, Dick and Harry **** (1941, Ginger Rogers, George Murphy, Alan Marshal, Burgess Meredith, Phil Silvers) – Classic Movie Review 9019

Director Garson Kanin’s 1941 RKO romantic comedy Tom, Dick and Harry stars Ginger Rogers as telephonist Janie, who has the opportunity to choose one of three eligible bachelors: humble car salesman Tom (George Murphy), rich man Dick (Alan Marshal) or oddball garage mechanic Harry (Burgess Meredith).

Excellent though the actors all are, it is old Phil Silvers who steals the picture as an obstreperous ice-cream seller.

Tom, Dick and Harry is a charming, amusing, high-spirited comedy, sharply written by Oscar-nominated Paul Jarrico (for Best Original Screenplay), and directed at an exhilarating pace by one of Hollywood’s best writers, Kanin. Both as a film and for her exuberant, appealing performance, this represents a Rogers career highspot, following her success in Kitty Foyle.

Jane Powell starred in RKO’s 1958 musical remake – The Girl Most Likely – though screenplay and story writer Paul Jarrico was not credited.

Also in the cast are Joe Cunningham, Jane Seymour (1893–1956), Lenore Lonergan, Vickie Lester [Vicki Lester], Berry Kroeger, Betty Breckenridge, Michael Audley, Joseph E Bernard, Maurice Briere, Jack Briggs, Frank Bruno (1887–1945), Sarah Edwards, Bess Flowers, Gus Glassmire, Eddie Hall, William Halligan, Edna Holland, Ellen Lowe, Knox Manning, Gayle Mellott, Netta Pocker, Jane Patten, Alex Pollard, Theodore Ramsey, Tom Seidel, Sidney Skolsky, Laurene Tuttle and Jane Woodworth.

Dorothy Lloyd, Edward Colebrook and Gertrude Short had their scenes deleted.

Tom, Dick and Harry is directed by Garson Kanin, runs 87 minutes, is made by RKO Radio Pictures, is released by RKO Radio Pictures (1941) (US) and (UK), is written by Paul Jarrico, based on Paul Jarrico’s story, is shot in black and white by Merritt B Gerstad, is produced by Robert Sisk, is scored by Roy Webb and is designed by Van Nest Polglase.

The titles name Phil Silvers only as Ice Cream Man, but he is greeted on screen as Phil, his real name.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 9019

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