Seven years after reaching for "Music in the Air" and nine years before heading down "Sunset Boulevard", the not forgotten Gloria Swanson made a brief return to films for this fluffy "B" RKO comedy that is the soufflé to "Music in the Air's" strudel and "Sunset Boulevard's" Roast Beef. Like those two films, she is an actress, as in the first film she was an operetta star and of course a silent film diva in the later one. It's ironic that for her "Sunset Boulevard" follow-up, she chose to play another movie star in the frank-and-beans comedy "Three For Bedroom C". But here, she's a Broadway star who ensnares a multi-millionaire (Adolph Menjou), a widower with a stuffy son (John Howard) and a neglected but stuffy wife (Florence Rice). Swanson's companion is her man-hungry Aunt Julia (Helen Broderick), a woman who's done practically everything twice and has a wisecrack for every situation. On their honeymoon, Menjou and Swanson encounter a sexy Latin singer (Desi Arnaz) who has stowed away on Menjou's boat. Swanson decides to sponsor Arnaz for a concert career which brings problems into both marriages depicted in the story. Arnaz, who in several scenes resembles Mario Lanza, is extremely handsome and charming, and shows the comic aptitude he would later get on "I Love Lucy".
Swanson, of course, is stunning and does a fine job. Menjou is first seen dancing in a cab to his portable radio. It's his turn to shine in a comic lead, but Swanson is no slouch in comedy herself. Howard and Rice have rather one dimensional roles but are alright in them. Every time Helen Broderick is on screen, she livens it up considerably. While Eve Arden may have been considered the queen of the wisecrack during the 40's, Helen Broderick would be the queen mother. This isn't a classic by any means, typical of most RKO fair of the time, but to get a glimpse of Swanson back on screen after a while is worth it.
Swanson, of course, is stunning and does a fine job. Menjou is first seen dancing in a cab to his portable radio. It's his turn to shine in a comic lead, but Swanson is no slouch in comedy herself. Howard and Rice have rather one dimensional roles but are alright in them. Every time Helen Broderick is on screen, she livens it up considerably. While Eve Arden may have been considered the queen of the wisecrack during the 40's, Helen Broderick would be the queen mother. This isn't a classic by any means, typical of most RKO fair of the time, but to get a glimpse of Swanson back on screen after a while is worth it.