Sorrowful Jones (1949)

Sorrowful Jones is not a "don't miss" movie, but it is notable for providing Bob Hope with the chance to play a real character, rather than a thin variation on the Bob Hope persona. This is not to say that Sorrowful Jones has nothing in common with Hope; there are quite a few quips that were definitely written for the actor, not the character. Still, Hope is definitely creating a character here and not doing a half-bad job at it either. The problem is that neither the star nor the writers are willing to fully commit to the character (and, by extension, the story, the dialogue, and the milieu), with the result that the best Sorrowful can do is place, rather than win or show. The film does benefit from a fine non-cloying performance from little Mary Jane Saunders, who manages to stay on the right side of cute. Lucille Ball is unusually subdued; those who are looking for her zany television character will be disappointed, but if viewers can divorce themselves from those preconceptions, they'll be surprised at the warmth and vulnerability with which she laces her sometimes severe character. There's also fine support from William Demarest and Ben Welden and purposeful direction from Sidney Lanfield, adding up to a decent, if unremarkable, time for all. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide