Monkey Business
Monkey Business

Movie spotlight

Monkey Business

1952
Movie
97 min
English

Research chemist Barnaby Fulton works on a fountain of youth pill for a chemical company. One of the labs chimps gets loose in the laboratory and mixes chemicals, but then pours the mix into the water cooler. When trying one of his own samples, washed down with water from the cooler, Fulton begins to act just like a twenty-year-old and believes his potion is working. Soon his wife and boss are also behaving like children.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes70%
Google Users76%
Director: Howard HawksGenres: Comedy, Romance

Plot Summary

A chemist working for a cosmetics company, Professor Barnaby Southjust, accidentally creates an elixir of youth. His wife, Lois, and his secretary, Edwina Fulton, both drink the elixir, causing them to revert to their younger, more playful selves. As the effects of the elixir wear off, Barnaby and Lois find themselves re-examining their marriage and their own youthful spirits.

Critical Reception

Monkey Business was a commercial success, praised for its lighthearted humor and the comedic chemistry between its stars, particularly Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers. While not considered a groundbreaking film, it is generally regarded as an enjoyable and charming screwball comedy that showcases the talents of its leading actors.

What Reviewers Say

  • Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers deliver charming performances that are the highlight of the film.

  • The premise is whimsical and fun, offering plenty of lighthearted comedic moments.

  • While not the most sophisticated comedy, it provides enjoyable entertainment with its madcap antics.

Google audience: Audiences generally found the film to be a fun and amusing comedy, appreciating the star power of Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers and the playful, lighthearted nature of the plot. Some viewers noted it as a classic screwball comedy that holds up well.

Fun Fact

Marilyn Monroe's character, Honey Transvaal, was originally intended to be a much more significant role, but her scenes were reduced due to scheduling conflicts and director Howard Hawks's decision to focus more on the central couple.

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1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Cary Grant is the professor "Fulton" working for "Oxley" (Charles Coburn) on a project to find some way of turning back time and reversing the ageing process. They are experimenting with various formulae on a selection of rather agile chimp...

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