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Amazing Adventure Movie Review

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Sci-Fi/Fantasy Comedy & Personal Dramas Action Dramas
Actors: Cary Grant, Mary Brian, Peter Gawthorne, Leon M. Lion, Iris Ashley, John Turnbull, Henry Kendall, Andreas Malandrinos
Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Amazing Adventure
Ernest Bliss (Cary Grant) just doesn't feel himself as of late. Even though he has all of the luxuries money can buy, he is unhappy and distracted. He decides that something must be done about the problem and decides to visit a doctor. A friend gives him a recommendation to visit Sir James Alroyd (Peter Gawthorne) who is highly reputable.

The initial consultation does not go very well as there is good news and bad news. The doctor knows exactly what Ernest suffers from and is somewhat disgusted by it. It seems that the biggest problem that Ernest has is his money. Sir James tell him that if he wants to be cured, he must find a real job and not live off of his money. Of course Sir James has seen this many times before and given the same recommendation with all to end in failure. He scoffs when the wealthy patient agrees. This prompts Bliss to issue a bet with the doctor. Ernest says that he will live for one year on his own without using any of his money. If he wins the bet the doctor must shake his hand and if he loses, he will give the doctors charity fifty thousand pounds. Still not believing he can do it, Sir James agrees.

The soon to be penniless man returns to his fancy flat to put things in order before he leaves. He packs a few old clothes, grabs only a five pound note as agreed and releases his butler for a years vacation while leaving him in charge of the house. Ernest then sets out for a part of London where he will not be known. He finds a small attic flat to let and begins to hunt for a job. After many efforts in vain and with money running low, he finally lands a job. The position is a commissioned salesman for a stove manufacturing company. Bliss is encouraged but the secretary, Miss Frances Clayton (Mary Brian) is skeptical. Even so, she hands their new employee his sales book and sends him on his way. He soon discovers what a tough job this is and many doors slam in his face. Disappointed, he returns to the office with nary a sale and begins to get totally discouraged as time goes by. This changes in a moment of inspiration when he figures out a gimmick to get people interested. He knows that he cannot spend any of his money for his own personal benefit but he can use it to benefit others. With this, he starts giving away free food that is cooked on the stoves he is selling. An interested wholesaler comes in and decides to pre-order at least a hundred stoves to start. Ernest Bliss is blissful at the success. So is Frances and she finally agrees to go to dinner with the lucky riches to rages to riches Mr. Bliss. This begins a budding romance for the two. Only problem is that Frances admittedly wants to marry for money and not for love.

With this new found success, Ernest must leave this position as he can gain no benefit from his wealth. He presses on is search for another job and eventually becomes a taxi driver. This is a joyless profession but he has much opportunity for enlightenment. He meets old friends who believe he is destitute and they help him out. He gets a late night emergency call to deliver a doctor to save a critical patient. This turns out to be Sir James Alroyd and he is very impressed with the doctor's bedside manner. He bumps into a gangster who has taken over his apartment and is trying to steal his money. He quickly rectifies this matter and chides his butler who has taken to the drink out of boredom.

He also has the opportunity to save Frances from a lecherous boss who is trying to put the make on her. This last incident causes him to loose his chauffer job. Since he is so annoyed with the supervisor, he buys the company and makes the head mechanic boss. Once again he finds himself without work and only a few days left on the bet. Will the incredibly successful Ernest Bliss attempt to find another job or will he choose his money instead. Will Frances continue to date a penniless man when her sister needs an operation her family cannot afford?

--Talea, Resident Scholar


Analysis of Amazing Adventure
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Comedy, primarily Yes
Time/era of movie: - 1930's-1950's
Kind of comedy - riches to rags
How much humor v. drama - Nearly all humor

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - simply wealthy
Eccentric: Yes - eccentric
Hair color? - brunette (Brown)
Hair type - (man) short/standard straight
Body type - (man) average
Events of movie makes character more... - caring
Ethnicity/Nationality - British
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor? - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters
Physique - average physique

Secondary Main Character
Identity: - Female
Hair color - brunette (Brown)
Hair style - (woman) medium/shoulderlgn straight
Body type - (woman) very skinny
How much in movie? - 40%
Ethnicity/Nationality - British

Main Adversary
Identity: - general circumstances
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - 80%

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK
City? Yes
City: - London
Misc setting - fancy mansion

Style
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
Movie makes you feel... - full of laughter
Check here if B&W Yes
Any profanity? - None
Is this movie based on a - book
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