Watching movies from the 1940s can be a depressing ordeal, even when the movie in question is a funny little flick. Aside from the fact that every single person on camera (and behind it) is now dead, the innocence and naivete so prevalent in these comedies simply serves as a spotlight on how gross and twisted our society has become since then. Do you think Tom Green’s antics would be welcome in a 1945 film? Absolutely not, and that’s a good thing. In the case of Getting Gertie’s Garter, the entire keystone of the plot – that a gentleman cannot discuss frilly underthings in public – would make absolutely no sense if it were made today.
Young scientist Ken has recently been accepted to the board of trustees of the state anaesthesiologist association, which – in addition to being a huge honour – makes him a doctor. On the same day that he learns this wonderful news, Ken is met by an assistant district attorney who tells him something scandalous: a garter that Ken bought some time ago for an old sweetheart is believed to have been stolen, and the D.A. needs it right away. Poor befuddled Ken even gets served with a subpoena. But there’s no way that Ken can show up in court to discuss such things – not with his pretty young wife to worry about and the very high-minded members of the board of trustees wouldn’t be too pleased either.
Suffice to say that nothing goes right for Ken. At first he cannot put his hands on the garter, as Gertie’s wedding is taking place on the next day and she plans to wear it. Then Ken’s wife shows up and begins asking questions. And of course Gertie’s fiancée also wants to know what’s going on. Things get more and more manic until finally everything is wrapped up in a typically sweet 1940s ending.
What makes this old chestnut worth a look is the performance of Dennis O’Keefe, as the animated Ken. This string bean of an actor does some solid physical comedy here, and he knows his way around a good farce. He reminds me of Jim Carrey, and I mean that as a compliment. Based on an old-time stage play by Wilson Collison and Avery Hopwood, Getting Gertie’s Garter is an amiable, lightweight and enjoyable enough little piffle – a throwback to a simpler and less vulgar era. Comedies like these aren’t great, but they’re useful to keep around as proof that it’s possible to make people laugh without making people sick. A viewing should be prescribed after watching movies like American Pie or Tomcats. It’s certainly not the finest old-time classic comedy ever, but there’s enough here to enjoy. Plus it’s only 74 minutes long.
