Young And Willing (1943)

A group of ambitious young actors, three men and three women, reside in the same apartment to save money. It's all perfectly innocent as they're hoping to get their big break by auditioning for the eccentric producer (Robert Benchley) living in the apartment below. Based on the play OUT OF THE FRYING PAN by Frances Swann and directed by Edward H. Griffin (THE SKY'S THE LIMIT). This stage bound screwball comedy doesn't bother to hide its proscenium roots as the movie almost entirely takes place in an apartment. Given its topic and setting, it reminded me of ROOM SERVICE (1938) but without the zing of the Marx Brothers. The young cast gives it their all but with the exception of Eddie Bracken (trying way too hard) and Florence MacMichael recreating her stage role, none of the youngsters seem particularly adept at comedy. After GOLDEN BOY (1939), you'd think William Holden would have gone on to major star status but Paramount did no favors putting him in comedies like this and he would have to wait until SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950) put him on the A list. Susan Hayward is sassy but comedy was never her forte and she too would have to wait awhile before she found her niche. It's all too frenetic and it exhausts you but not in a good way. With Barbara Britton, Martha O'Driscoll, James Brown and Mabel Paige (also recreating her stage role) stealing scenes as the ditzy landlady.