The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend (1949)

Deserving of a better place in the history books than it receives, The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend is no great piece of cinematic filmmaking, but it is a generally engaging way to pass a little time in an undemanding way. Part of the problem people have with Blonde is that they come to expecting -- justifiably, because of Preston Sturges' other films -- to be entertained in an intelligent, inventive way. That's not what Blonde has in mind; all it wants to do is offer a rowdy, high spirited, somewhat over-the-top good time. The other part of the problem is that Sturges doesn't know exactly how to do that; there's just a bit too much effort put into, and this is the kind of picture that simply has to feel like it just rolled off the director's back, without him even noticing it too much. Plus, some of the gags simply aren't that good. And finally, though she tries very hard and has some absolutely sensational moments, Betty Grable just isn't the perfect casting; the part calls for someone who has a little more going for her in the wild cannon department, such as Betty Hutton. All that said, Blonde still has more than its share of laughs, and even if she's not perfect for the part. Grable knows how to put across a laugh line. The supporting cast is top notch, even when given little to do, which also helps a great deal. Come to Blonde without high expectations, and you might just enjoy yourself quite a bit. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide