The combination of William Powell, in his last role, Henry Fonda, and Jack Lemmon is enough of a pull. But to have James Cagney as the nasty and overbearing captain is nirvana. The film needed more female influence, and Betsy Palmer supplies that to a degree, but she is given nothing much to work with.
The end result, though, is great, and the actors show they have the timing and the grace to carry this one through magnificently.
The end result, though, is great, and the actors show they have the timing and the grace to carry this one through magnificently.