﻿ The Moon Is Blue (1953) William Holden, David Niven, Maggie McNamara, Tom Tully Movie Review

The Moon Is Blue (1953)   3/53/53/53/53/5

Maggie McNamara and William Holden in The Moon Is Blue (1953)

Once in a Blue Moon

With his offices on one of the floors Don Gresham (William Holden) spots Patty O'Neill (Maggie McNamara) wandering around the shops in the Empire States Building and ends up following up to the viewing deck where enchanted by the elfin like young lady asks her out for dinner. Dinner ends up back at Don's when she mentioned that not only is she an aspiring actress but also a decent cook. But whilst at Don's David Slater (David Niven) the father of Don's ex and a real charmer shows up and is just as enchanted by the attractive Patty. But whilst both men take a shine to Patty the fact she declares herself a virgin who will stay such until she marries frustrates them especially as she seems immune to their seductive charms.

"Jeez they don't arf talk a lot" are the words I know would have come out of my mouth if I had stumbled across "The Moon is Blue" as a teenager in the 80s. In truth there is part of me now as a forty something which is thinking the same as I watch this romantic comedy which is noteworthy because it features the words "seduce", "mistress" and shock horror "virgin" which was unheard of at the time and even lead to it being banned in some theatres.

David Niven and Maggie McNamara in The Moon Is Blue (1953)

Now the talkative nature of "The Moon is Blue" probably will be enjoyable for some who are aware of the stage roots of the movie. In truth even if you are unaware of its roots you could equally guess that it originated on the stage because alongside all the talking we have minimal sets as well as just a handful of characters. It is a set up which might appeal to some but ended up an issue for me because quite simply the incessant yammering ending up an actual distraction of the comedy of confusion and a couple of charmers.

But despite not finding "The Moon is Blue" as entertaining as some the casting is perfect. Both Holden and Niven are perfect as the charmers with sex on their mind whilst Maggie McNamara has a great elfin like quality and naivety about her which makes her more than just a pretty face.

What this all boils down to is that "The Moon is Blue" despite having great casting didn't do it for me and just failed to be as amusing as I hoped it was going to be although it was still enjoyable in a wordy sort of way.