The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Review Request: It Happened to Jane (1959)

What would you do if you got into a legal battle with a big railroad company who is doing undo harm to your lobster selling business? Quite the specific scenario! That is exactly what is going on with the 1959 romantic comedy, It Happened to Jane. This did indeed happen to Jane (portrayed by big screen star Doris Day). This silly and strange scenario is certainly indicative of the era when it came to 50s and 60s comedies. Screwball comedy has been around since the early decades of cinema and is still going strong with this one.

Does this outlandish story work well for laughs? The tale of a lobster merchant in Maine just sounds as stereotypical as you can get for a silly comedy like this. A widowed mother of two looking like Doris Day who hasn’t found any other prospects just might be the most outlandish part of the set-up. But luckily (for the titular Jane) there are two eligible prospects for a love triangle. The long-time friend and lawyer is portrayed by screen legend Jack Lemmon. Also, a big-time reporter from the big city is portrayed by Steve Forrest. But this love triangle feels like the least interesting aspect of the film. Or at least the reporter part of it. There is plenty of chemistry between Day and Lemmon, but this added third wheel feels unnecessary when the film has a lot more going on.

But what is the main crux again? This is certainly a romantic film too, but the key piece of the story is this small town/big city conflict between the evil corporation and the “little guy” who is trying to make a living. There are plenty of clever little beats along the way that make this story more engaging but there are also some over-the-top and ridiculous aspects as well. Some are fun and some just seem too ridiculous. On some level, you can tell that director Richard Quine is trying to say something important about the long arm of big corporations and how much they can bully and push around the hardworking individual (through the screenplay by Norman Katkov). But there are a lot of smaller elements (like extra characters and subplots) that distract from the focus of the film. The reporter adds some layers thematically about the power of the media (along with being the needless extra love interest) but does it really make that big of an impact or impression?

Speaking of Quine, how does this film stand out from a directing standpoint? The unfortunate feeling is that this looks like some random television shows. There isn’t a lot that feels cinematic about It Happened to Jane even when they are riding on a train and the scale gets bigger. If someone told you this was an old television show, you probably wouldn’t be surprised. Tonally, the film is also a bit scattered. There are some serious themes in the film, but the approach treats everything so flippantly. For a film that is so silly, you would also expect this film to be a bit funnier. There are some solid laughs for sure, but it feels a bit lacking in that way too.

Who are the true gems of the film? You watched this film for Day and Lemmon. Day is so charming and brings such a bright light to the screen. You cannot deny the allure and charisma of Day. There was a reason she was such a fixture of romantic comedies throughout the 1950s. Lemmon is a charming performer for sure and there is a reason why he is one of the best performers in cinematic history. He makes George Denham so aloof and empathetic, which is the perfect fit for the strong, assertive, and charming Jane. Another great addition to the cast is the hilariously mean and crafty Harry Foster Malone. The big bad businessman of the flick, Malone is brought to life with so much energy and charm by Ernie Kovacs. His personality and presence work so perfectly for the character that he is bringing to life.

Is It Happened to Jane essential comedy viewing from this classic Hollywood period? This is a nice slice of 50s humor and comedy that certainly has its charm. You will not find this big business versus little lobster merchant tale on lists of all time classics. There are elements that work so well (Day and Lemmon for sure) but there are also other elements that feel a bit clunky and awkward. This strange set-up is at least fruitful for delivering some fun and charm.

Special thanks to Patrice Downing for the nomination of It Happened to Jane!