HotToastyRag I didn't figure it out until a third of the way through this movie, but Bedtime Story is the original version of the beloved comedy and subsequent Broadway musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels! The two movies are so incredibly similar, from the writing to the acting, that no matter which one you watch first, you'll be in for a hilarious evening. There's really only one little difference, and while I prefer the way the original was written, the remake is still very cute.David Niven, as studly as ever, is a conman who preys on rich American women. He pretends to be a royal prince desperately in need of money to free his enslaved people, and after a seduction, the women gladly surrender their jewelry and checkbooks. Marlon Brando, not particularly studly, also cons women in giving him money-for his nonexistent sick grandmother who needs an operation. The characters are introduced separately to the audience, and each set of scenes is totally hilarious. When they finally reunite on the screen, there's a side-splittingly funny battle of the wits as they try to top each other in the con game. I could tell you more of the plot, but there's really no need. The first fifteen minutes is funny enough on its own to make you want to watch the entire rest of the movie. Stanley Shapiro's-the Oscar-winning writer of Pillow Talk-and Paul Henning's script is quick, witty, clever, and charming. I highly recommend watching Bedtime Story, or Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, whenever you need a good laugh. You'll be laughing for days.

writers_reign This was director Ralph Levy's first feature film - he made only one more, Do Not Disturb - and if he seems assured at directing light comedy it's because he spent several years directing the likes of Burns and Allen, Jack Benny, Lucille Ball etc on TV. Co-writer Stanley Shapiro and Paul Henning had written between them several Doris Day-Rock Hudson-Cary Grant movies so everything was in place for highly polished, classy, sophisticated goings-on with a very welcome - especially today - slice of non-PC. If you've only seen the insipid remake, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, relax, you're in for a treat, so settle down and see how the Big Boys do it. On paper Niven and Brando shouldn't work representing as they do diametrically opposed styles but on screen and against the odds it works splendidly and Shirley Jones has just the right volume of 'niceness' to make the perfect foil. A barrel of laffs whichever way you slice it.

MARIO GAUCI Before tackling the film proper, I'd like to point out some fascinating trivia first: originally, this was planned with Cary Grant and Rock Hudson in mind who were to compete for Doris Day and, allegedly, it was almost revived as a starring vehicle for (brace yourselves) David Bowie and Mick Jagger (!!)…before saner minds prevailed and we got DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (1988) – with Michael Caine and Steve Martin replacing David Niven and Marlon Brando respectively – instead. Anyway, the premise was quite original at the time – rival con-men decide to collaborate but clash over fleecing a woman who turns out to be poor – and the film itself was actually better than I was expecting: in any case, "The most vulgar and embarrassing film of the year" – as The Daily Express had deemed the film on its release – it certainly wasn't!Given that BEDTIME STORY was one of Brando's efforts from his lean period (and, uncharacteristically, a comedy at that), I didn't have high hopes for it initially – especially since some of the other "comedies" I had seen Brando in had been pretty desperate attempts: A COUNTESS FROM HONG KONG (1967) and CANDY (1968; see above). Still, that the Method actor was capable of handling lighter material than the brooding dramas he was best-known for, was already evident early on in his career with GUYS AND DOLLS (1955) and THE TEAHOUSE OF THE AUGUST MOON (1956), but this is perhaps his most engaging performance in this field; that said, it's rather disquieting to see him mugging like a Jerry Lewis wannabe (when posing as Niven's half-wit brother)! His co-star isn't particularly taxed by his role – having often played the roué, it's one he could have done in his sleep – but he's always good value in this type of light entertainment; ditto Shirley Jones, who plays it more or less straight.The delightful opening, lending fairy-tale connotations to the narrative (hence the title) and the various schemes by which the two male stars attempt to outwit one another in order to obtain Jones' favors (and, in the process, her money) constitute the film's highlights; these include the famous scene in which Brando poses as a paraplegic – recalling his celebrated debut performance in Fred Zinnemann's powerful social drama THE MEN (1950) – as a result of which Jones arranges for him to be "cured" by renowned shrink Niven! I watched the film via the R2 DVD from Orbit Media, presenting the Universal film in a full-screen format; I haven't been able to ascertain what the original aspect ratio was, but I didn't find the compositions overly compromised; for the record, BEDTIME STORY is still unavailable on R1 DVD and one wonders what held it from being included in Universal's four-film 2-Disc Set of "The Marlon Brando Franchise Collection"...

szondyg Forget "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"! That is a mere imitation and a poor one at that. This is the original and by far one of the most outstanding comedies on film. There is no foul language, violence, gratuitous sex or any other artifice. Bedtime Story really relies on nothing more than a great script and outstanding actors. I have seen the movie many times since my childhood and I am happy to say that my children (both adults now) also share my views.Just buy the DVD (freely available from the UK - why not the USA????? Shame, shame).