As Young as You Feel 1951

     John Hodges is 65 years old and he has been playing the piccolo in an orchestra but he is let go.  He did a piccolo solo and the conductor was not pleased by his actions!!  There was supposed to be a harp solo instead??  John learns that the Acme Printing Company where he works as a printer and the sponsor of the orchestra is owned by the parent company Consolidated Motors.  The only way for John to get his job back is to go visit the parent company.  He dyes his beard and hair darker because he wants to look younger.  The employees of think he’s the CEO of the parent company, Harold P. Cleveland?  He’s given a tour, the company president Louis McKinley promises to rescind the retirement policy and rehire all those affected by the policy in the last year!!  John is invited to give a speech to the local chamber of commerce.  He’s also invited to McKinley’s home for dinner. 

     This story is funny.  The employees that recognize John as a printer don’t know what to do or say about the mistake?  His daughter’s boyfriend is there and he wants a promotion.  He doesn’t know if he should say something or keep quiet?  He tries to convince employees that John is an imposter but they won’t listen.  The real Harold P. Cleveland sees information about the event he is supposed to have attended and he doesn’t know what to do about the situation?  The reviews of the speech were very positive?  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

77 min, Comedy directed by Harmon Jones with Monty Woolley, Thelma Ritter, David Wayne, Jean Peters, Constance Bennett, Marilyn Monroe, Allyn, Joslyn Albert Dekker, Clinton Sundberg, Minor Watson, Wally Brown, Russ Tamblyn.

Note:  Imdb 6.6 out of 10, 47% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 3.8* out of 5* with 32 reviews, TCM Leonard Maltin 2.5* out of 4*, user rating 5* out of 5*.

Special Note:  Filmed at 20^th Century Fox Studios, 10201 Pico Blvd, Century City, Los Angeles, California.

Special Note:  Marilyn Monroe has a bit role as Harriet, the secretary for Louis McKinley.  I was surprised that Marilyn didn’t have a larger role?  Maybe it is because she had made 10 films previously from 1947 to 1951 and those could've also been bit roles?  Marilyn met her future husband Arthur Miller during production.  Constance Bennett was jealous of Marilyn and she joked that, “Now there’s a broad with a future behind her!”  This film was later remade for TV as The Great American Hoax in 1957.