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Special Features
- All new digital transfer
- 2 radio productions starring Cary Grant
- Cartoon "The House of Tomorrow"
- Cary Grant trailer gallery
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Cary Grant stars as an advertising executive who dreams of getting out of the city and building a perfect home in the country, only to find the transition fraught with problems. (See the 1980s Tom Hanks comedy The Money Pit for an updated version of the same idea.) The big appeal here are the two leads, Grant and Myrna Loy, who were each in their early 40s and at the peak of their careers. Together with solid support from Melvyn Douglas and a screenplay that might have been tailor-made for their polished brand of comedy, the stars dominate this simple project. --Tom Keogh
Product Description
Cary Grant is hilarious as a successful New York advertising executive who wants to escape the confines of his family's tiny midtown apartment. So he designs his dream home in the suburbs and discovers the project wasn't as easy as it seemed. The house gets larger. The bills get bigger. The problems just won't go away. Eventually, the whole affair becomes a nightmare-a very funny nightmare-that left audiences laughing in 1948 and will have you in stitches, too. This is the comedic masterpiece that inspired the popular 1987 movie "The Money Pit." It's an adventure in homeowning that strikes a familiar chord with everyone who's ever bought a house. Year: 1948 Director: H.C. Potter Starring: Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, Melvyn Douglas
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
85 of 89 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Yeeup! As Mr. Tersander would say. This is one of my favorite films. While not exactly bust-a-gut funny, it is warmly amusing throughout with a couple of classic lines & scenes (the perplexing storeroom, the "letch", the well, the all-night Wam session etc.), played to perfection with ease and charm (my God those are lost arts, aren't they?) by a cast of pros who are immediately likeable and comfortable to be around.
The story of a New York adman building his dream house in Connecticut being snookered by the "hicks" and then the series of disasters and cost overruns that befall him, the film is played with just the right tone, light and with great good humor, from the falling lintels to the Zuzz-Zuzz water softener.
Some may question the 5 stars, and although it may not be a great movie, I give it all 5 because Grant, Loy and Douglas are a lost breed of irreplaceable class players, and this kind of effortless amusement is pretty much an extinct genre.
The story of a New York adman building his dream house in Connecticut being snookered by the "hicks" and then the series of disasters and cost overruns that befall him, the film is played with just the right tone, light and with great good humor, from the falling lintels to the Zuzz-Zuzz water softener.
Some may question the 5 stars, and although it may not be a great movie, I give it all 5 because Grant, Loy and Douglas are a lost breed of irreplaceable class players, and this kind of effortless amusement is pretty much an extinct genre.
43 of 44 people found the following review helpful
By ehakus
Format:VHS Tape
Often imitated but never quite surpassed, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House is a classic comedy about a topic still as current now as it was in the 1940s. Silly but very funny, this movie is really great - featuring the ever hilarious Cary Grant, and Myrna Loy.
Essentially, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House is about a family that decides to move to the country and get away from the overcrowding in the apartment. Instead of making life easier, however, their decision to move causes disaster after disaster. This movie is a hilarious example of how whatever can go wrong will!
Although the topic could have easily degenerated into stupidity, the script, the directing and, most of all, the cast, turn the movie into a classic. The script is witty and very funny, and it is directed with style - but mainly, Cary Grant is terrific! His double takes and reactions will never be equalled...any scene that he is in in pretty much guaranteed to be hysterical. Myrna Loy does a good job of cooling balancing Grant's screwball character, and the supporting cast is good as well.
Anyhow, this is a funny movie for the whole family - it is highly recommended!
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By James L.
Format:VHS Tape
Cary Grant and Myrna Loy have a very comfortable chemistry together in this comedy about a couple that decides to get out of their cramped city apartment and move out into the country. Through stubborness and sheer ignorance, they end up making a number of expensive errors as they attempt to build their dream house. The story is narrated by their friend and lawyer Bill, well played by Melvyn Douglas, a cynical man who learns it's easier to just let them make their mistakes. Grant is the perfect actor to express the exasperation of the whole process. The man had amazing comedic timing, deceptively making it look easy. The script hits all of the potential problems with building, and the film is smoothly produced. This is the kind of comedy that will appeal to most people, because almost everyone has had the opportunity to experience the joy that is remodelling, landscaping, decorating, or building. There's something in here for everyone to appreciate.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Karen in VA
Format:DVD
"Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House" is a witty movie in the wry style not often seen today. Cary Grant and Myrna Loy are wonderful, as is Melvyn Douglas.
This endearing movie is actually based on a true story. Architectural Digest ran an article about it titled "Mr Blandings' Dream House - Revisiting an American Icon in Connecticut" in June 1991.
According to the article, Mr Hodgins (the original Mr Blandings) began building his dream house in 1939 in New Milford, Connecticut. At the time of the article the home still stood and was known as Blandings Way. The Hollywood version of the house was built in Malibu Creek State Park and was also standing in 1991.
The house's original budget was $11,000 but the final cost came to a dizzying $56,000. Mr Hodgins was nearly bankrupted and was forced to sell his dream house just two years after moving in. It was then that he told his story in "Mr Blandings Builds His Castle" and the sequel "Blandings Way". When Mr Hodgins was paid $200,000 for the film rights to his book he offered the entire amount to the (then) current owners of his dream house, but they refused to sell.
This is a great movie true to the original story -- right down to the flower room! Recommend.
This endearing movie is actually based on a true story. Architectural Digest ran an article about it titled "Mr Blandings' Dream House - Revisiting an American Icon in Connecticut" in June 1991.
According to the article, Mr Hodgins (the original Mr Blandings) began building his dream house in 1939 in New Milford, Connecticut. At the time of the article the home still stood and was known as Blandings Way. The Hollywood version of the house was built in Malibu Creek State Park and was also standing in 1991.
The house's original budget was $11,000 but the final cost came to a dizzying $56,000. Mr Hodgins was nearly bankrupted and was forced to sell his dream house just two years after moving in. It was then that he told his story in "Mr Blandings Builds His Castle" and the sequel "Blandings Way". When Mr Hodgins was paid $200,000 for the film rights to his book he offered the entire amount to the (then) current owners of his dream house, but they refused to sell.
This is a great movie true to the original story -- right down to the flower room! Recommend.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Cary Grant, Myrna Loy and Melvyn Douglas star in this little gem from 1948, where Grant plays Jim Blandings, a marketing executive who lives in a cramped New York City apartment with practical wife Muriel (Loy), two daughters, Joan and Betsy, maid Gussie (Louise Beavers), bird Theodore and has best friend Bill Cole (Douglas). Muriel is pushing to renovate their apartment, to make more space, but Jim, after seeing an ad for beautiful Connecticut, decides that maybe they need to move out of the city and purchase a home. Being a comedy, and a comedy with Grant, Loy AND Douglas, you know it won't be a simple procedure. Their dream home turns out to be falling down and rebuilding turns out to be almost more work than they can take.
What makes this film sparkle are the lead performances - - Grant, as always, excels in the comedic roles in which he plays an almost unsuspecting comedian. The only other actor that I think could have done justice to this part would perhaps be the always stellar William Powell, who had such witty chemistry with Loy. Loy shows a constant poise and straightforwardness that plays well off Grant's bumbling comedy. Douglas, who I think was a sadly underrated and underused actor, is wonderful as the best friend "Cole. Bill Cole. Friend of the family." He is the straight man to Grant, with some razor sharp dialogue.
Although this movie was remade in sorts as "The Money Pit" in the 1980s with Tom Hanks and Shelley Long, I would advise to pass on the 80s version - although Hanks and Long are fine actors, "Pit" misses the warmth, the comedic flair and the down-home goodness that "Blandings" offers - - making the original a far superior film. Highly recommended.
What makes this film sparkle are the lead performances - - Grant, as always, excels in the comedic roles in which he plays an almost unsuspecting comedian. The only other actor that I think could have done justice to this part would perhaps be the always stellar William Powell, who had such witty chemistry with Loy. Loy shows a constant poise and straightforwardness that plays well off Grant's bumbling comedy. Douglas, who I think was a sadly underrated and underused actor, is wonderful as the best friend "Cole. Bill Cole. Friend of the family." He is the straight man to Grant, with some razor sharp dialogue.
Although this movie was remade in sorts as "The Money Pit" in the 1980s with Tom Hanks and Shelley Long, I would advise to pass on the 80s version - although Hanks and Long are fine actors, "Pit" misses the warmth, the comedic flair and the down-home goodness that "Blandings" offers - - making the original a far superior film. Highly recommended.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it!
It is a great old movie. I always loved watching it when ever it came on the television. Now I have it so I can watch it more often
Published 1 day ago by Nancy Jean Osborne
4.0 out of 5 stars
Love Cary Grant movies
I love Cary Grant in all of his movies.
This movie is old and moves along a little slower,
but humorous and worth watching if you like old movies.
This movie is old and moves along a little slower,
but humorous and worth watching if you like old movies.
Published 6 days ago by Angela Grant
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarious forerunner to 'the Money Pit'
I love this movie, Cary Grant at his best. It's funny, clever, and charming. Great gags, and a great cast of characters.
Published 6 days ago by Valerie C.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun family movie
What's not to love?!
Good, clean, family movie.
Cary Grant is so cute in this movie, and has such a great character to play. Read more
Good, clean, family movie.
Cary Grant is so cute in this movie, and has such a great character to play. Read more
Published 7 days ago by K.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful movie
What a classic! Back in the day when people planned their home construction, and were involved in all the details.
Published 14 days ago by Lucky
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie
My favorite scene is when Mrs Blanding is telling th contractor the colors to paint the rooms in the house.
Published 19 days ago by Lynne Wagstaff
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great classice Grant Movie
Great movie with Cary Grant & Mira Loy. A classic you must see especially for those of us who have built a house while being married.
Published 19 days ago by F. Elizabeth Ratcliffe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cary Grant & Myrna Loy - what's not to love
Crazy madcap romp through the world of moving from NYC to the country and all the things that can go wrong do.
Published 23 days ago by Glenna in TX
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Product!
Order this for a Mother's Day gift. My mom loved it! Was the perfect gift for someone who says she already has everything she needs.
Published 1 month ago by Robert Keller
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must see !!
If you can not rate this movie a 5 star rating, please watch it again. This is, by far, a must see, especially for home buyers. In our 3rd home and I can relate to this movie. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Donnadave
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