Customer Reviews

On Our Merry Way [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I loved this movie. It is loaded with stars all of which are surprisingly funny in their roles. In particular, Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda shine in a hilarious episode which really emphasizes their true to life friendship. For sheer entertainment you can't miss with this one.

I saw this comedy in 1948 at the RKO Keith Memorial Theatre...in those days, if a movie was held over for a 2nd week, it meant the movie/goer fans [millions of them] considered a film to be a BIG/HUGE hit...well, this movie remained for 3 weeks in Boston and it was hilarious from start to finish...a trilogy of funny skits by: Henry Fonda and Jimmy Stewart [big band musicians]...the lovely brunette/star Dorothy Lamour's skit....and Fred MacMurray with William Demarest...decades later the latter duo teamed up in TVs, "My Three Sons" fame...you want laffs??...then get this DVD...it's rather pricey [why, I don't know]...the important thing is I'm glad it wasn't lost to the mist and fog of proven films.....SSGT CHRIS SARNO-USMC FMF

Released by United Artists, On Our Merry Way boasts an all-star cast with a decent storyline. It might sound similar to some of the wartime films that were packed with stars but skimped on the plot, but this film really gives its players a chance to shine.

Oliver Pease (Burgess Meredith) works in the want-ads at the local newspaper, but he has told his wife (Paulette Goddard) that he is the roving reporter who interviews unsuspecting strangers with a single question of the day. She urges him to ask for a raise and to use her question that asks how a child has had an influence on your life. Stuck in an impossible situation, Oliver goes to work, dons a disguise, and convinces his boss to let him be the roving reporter for the day.

He gets to work and first discovers two musicians (Henry Fonda and James Stewart) who tell him about a baby and a music contest. It turns out the baby is a grown woman, but no matter. They agreed to fix the competition so the mayor's no-talent son (Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer) could win, but everything goes awry. Next, Oliver stumbles upon a movie star (Dorothy Lamour) who tells him about a child star who helped her to rise in her career. She shows off her skills in a sarong with a cute musical number as well. Last, Oliver interviews a man (Fred MacMurray) who tells the story of he and his friend's (William DeMarest) meeting with an impossible little boy. The boy is a runaway, but he is so troublesome that even his own uncle (Hugh Herbert) doesn't want him back.

Back to the newsroom with the article, but everything is not quite as it seems. The Pease family conclusion offers a nice bookend to the story. On Our Merry Way is unlike many Hollywood films of the time because it features so many famous stars but only gives them about a half hour each of screen time. Luckily, they all make the most of their time.

Unfortunately, this DVD has no special features whatsoever, but the picture quality is clear and crisp.

Known for being the only film Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda starred in together, I thought I'd check out "On Our Merry Way" for its historical significance. Unfortunately, it's not very good.

The film is split into three seperate stories tied together by a rather odd framing device. Burgess Meredith and Paulette Goddard play a married couple having monetary problems, with Meredith conning his way into a reporting job to earn extra cash. He then proceeds to interview three seperate sets of people, with the angle being the way in which a child has affected each of their lives. Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda are musicians that lose their band to a "babe", Dorothy Lamour is an actress contending with a spoiled child star (echos of Shirley Temple) and finally Fred McMurray fights a battle of wits with a 10 year-old holy terror.

The first segment is pretty dull, and Jimmy and Henry are not given much to do. The second story is a little better, with Lamour doing a nice musical number sending up her exotic image called "Queen of the Hollywood Isles". The last section is a blatant [take] of O. Henry's classic short story, "The Ransom of Red Chief", only stressful instead of funny. The framing device with Goddard and Meredith is the best part of the movie, due to the strong chemistry between them.

I recommend "On Our Merry Way" as a rental for hard-core Stewart or Goddard fans, otherwise it's not really worth your time.

This is a good vdvd that have all the great old actors. If you like old movies you will like this. I love Fred MacMurray whoever releases movies (United Artist I think)on dvd please release his two movies Suddenly It's Spring and The Bride Comes Home these are two of his best work. Somebody please put them out on dvd.

Fast service on a rare film with both Henry Fonda & James Stewart playing buddies in a portion of this film. Not a memorable story but enjoyable performances by both with other stars also in cast.

If it wasn't for Lamour and her nice musical number I probably wouldn't remeber it at all. But this sole episode however, is hilarious and reveal Dottie's talent for musical comedy. Besides, she is stunningly beautiful...a real glamorous filmstar! The copy is very good as well!

We highly enjoyed this rare gem of a movie which sparkles with it's unique combination of stars and innovative way of weaving an entertaining tale together. James Stewart and Henry Fonda were especially fun to see as a comedy duo and all the actors made for hilarious fun!

This is one of the worst movies ever made. A jumble of stars, at least three directors, comedy so lame that it only cause groans (when not snores). Henry Fonda and James Stewart making fools of themselves. Harry James ogling a starlet who was supposed to be playing the trumpet. A dreadful experience, best avoided.

These great friends also starred together in the comedy Western "The Cheyenne Social Club" in the 70s. It's about a Cowboy (Stewart) who inherits a "Sporting House" in Cheyenne Wyoming. See it if you can.