If you asked someone if they had seen the film DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS the movie or the musical they most likely would say of course. Some might tell you that they saw the film THE HUSTLE with Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson but that didn’t do near the business. But how many would be surprised to learn that both of those were remakes of a movie that came out in 1964? Even more stunning would be to learn that one of the main actors in the film was Marlon Brando.
This is all true. The film in question is BEDTIME STORY. Not only did it star Brando, it also featured David Niven and Shirley Jones. So how is it this film is overlooked and no one talks about it any longer?
David Niven stars as Lawrence Jameson, a con man living in Beaumont-sur-Mer in the French Riviera. Jameson is well connected with the police and hotel owners in this resort area patronized by numerous single women either divorced or widowed. His contact at the hotel directs him to those women that seem ready to be bilked and Jameson takes over, telling them he is a disposed prince of a war torn country in need of funds to combat those who took over.
In nearby Germany Corporal Freddy Benson (Brando) is plying the same trade of sorts but for far less stakes. He finds a single woman and a picture of the house she lives in, telling her that the picture was given to him by his ailing grandmother and he promised her he’d make a point of seeing it while in Europe. All of this is to seduce the young woman. Unfortunately Freddy is interrupted in his latest conquest by the girl’s father, the town Burgomaster. Freddy convinces his colonel to give him an early discharge and he sets out to see more of Europe.
The two con men meet one another while sharing a train compartment on the way to Beaumont-sur-Mer. Freddy brags to Jameson about his exploits and tries to give him tips about how to pull off a con. Jameson plays dumb but arranges for Freddy to be arrested once they arrive. Thinking he is done with him he heads home. But Freddy has other plans. He intends to invade Jameson’s territory.
Eventually the two decided it would be better to be partners than rivals. Jameson has Freddy pose as Ruprecht, his mentally challenged brother. Together they bilk several wealthy women of a portion of their wealth. Jameson keeps this on hand claiming he is training Freddy to be bigger than he was.
Eventually the two realize there can be only one con man in town. To determine who stays and goes they decide who stays and who goes they come up with a challenge. The first person to steal $25,000 from a selected mark wins and is allowed to remain.
They pick Janet Walker (Shirley Jones), a naïve American heiress and set out to be the one to win. Freddy pretends to be a war hero suffering from psychologically induced paralysis. Jameson counters posing as a world renowned psychotherapist who happens to be in town on vacation. As each attempts to woo Janet, they sabotage one another’s plans in a hilarious competition unfolds.
I can recall seeing this movie years ago on TV and thinking it was funny. Watching it again I was happy to learn that it was funnier than I remembered. In addition to that certain scenes brought back memories of DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS which also handled to same story quite well. The film holds up after all these years.
Niven is his usual dapper self here playing the more sophisticated of the two. He was always good at these kind of parts and this displays his talents well. Brando is the surprise. He’s always been praised for his dramatic achievements but he was always good in comedies as well and shines here as Freddy. Jones isn’t given as much to play with here but her portrayal of the unknowing Janet fits perfectly between the two con men.
Kino Lorber is releasing this on Blu-ray and it’s a wonderful
addition to anyone’s collection who enjoys a good laugh. I find most comedies
lose something the second time around but that isn’t the case with this one. I
know I’ll be watching it again. My suggestion if you’ve never seen it is to
make sure you do. And maybe, just maybe, make a triple feature night of it with
the other two movies.
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