As Young as You Feel (1951)

As Young as You Feel (Dir: Harmon Jones, 1951). 

A lightweight comedy from 20th Century Fox which provided an early role for Marilyn Monroe. 

Aged 65 and facing forced retirement, John Hodges (Monty Woolley) blackens his greying hair and beard to pass himself as the younger Harold Cleveland, president of the parent company where the former printer worked. Aiming to overturn the company's ageist policy he successfully fools the boss Louis McKinley (Albert Dekker) who unexpectedly arranges for Hodges to address the local chamber of commerce. His rousing speech attracts the attention of  both the press and the real Cleveland (Minor Watson).

There is something Capra-esq about this tale of an underdog fighting against the system; there are also elements of the screwball comedy in its themes of role reversal and its saturising of big business. Somewhat surprisingly this was based on a story by Paddy Chayefsky. Those familiar with the writer's more acerbic screenplays for The Hospital (Arthur Hiller, 1971) and Network (Sidney Lumet, 1976) will find this satire of a far gentler persuasion. The directorial debut by former editor Harmon Jones, his work here is proficient but unexceptional. Much like the movie itself. Indeed, were it not for an early appearance by Marilyn Monroe, I feel the film would be little remembered today.

A standout in a small yet noticeable role as McKinley's secretary, Monroe was a mere two years away from her stardom cementing appearance in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Howard Hawks, 1953). Although playing to blonde bombshell type, she displays her considerable comic talents which would become more apparent as the decade progressed. Monty Woolley was always good value for money. Although he isn’t as well served here as in The Man Who Came to Dinner (William Keighley, 1942), his performance as the disgruntled Hodges is still a lot of fun. 

Although it provides a few big laughs, As Young as You Feel is never quite as funny as it threatens to be. At only 75 minutes, it feels distinctly like a support feature, albeit one with a quality cast. That said, it is a pleasant enough viewing experience and is worth watching for its fine comic performances courtesy of the bluff Monty Woolley and the radiant young Marilyn.