| Overall Grade: |
A+ |
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| Story: |
A+ |
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| Acting: |
A+ |
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| Direction: |
A |
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| Visuals: |
A |
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You've Got Twelve
by Colin (movies profile)
Jun 16, 2008
4
of
4 people found this review helpful
This must be the absolute funniest example of black humor (without being too black) that I've ever come across. Certainly comparable with 'Dr. Strangelove'.
Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant), a play critic, is about to get married to his fiance Elaine and is visiting his two aunts. He soon discovers, though, that among their other charitable activities, they also off old men that they think are lonely and unhappy. "You can't just murder," Mortimer groans. "It's not a nice thing to do!"
Compared to the aunts, Mortimer's brother Teddy, who thinks that he is Teddy Roosevelt and spends his time running up and down the stairs yelling "Charge!" isn't quite so cracked as we thought.
To complete this odd cast of characters is Mortimer's long-lost brother Jonathan (Raymond Massey) and his assistant Dr. Einstein (Peter Lorre). Lorre actually plays Dr. Einstein in such an admirable way that he actually is in danger of stealing the show and certainly attracted my attention much more than Cary Grant. His sweet, guilty smiles and nervous attitude are priceless. Massey also has a memorable role as the psychopath who looks like Boris Karloff.
Personally, I think that the funniest scene is the one where Dr. Einstein insisting to Jonathan that the two aunts are actually just as good at murdering as they are since 'they've got twelve' too.
JONATHAN: I've got thirteen!
EINSTEIN: No, Johnny, twelve; don't brag!
JONATHAN: I've got thirteen! There's Mr. Spinalzo. Then the first one in London, three in Johannesburg, three in Sydney, one in Melbourne, three in Los Angeles, and one in South Bend.
EINSTEIN: No, Johnny, you--you cannot count the one in South Bend! He died on pneumonia.
JONATHAN: He wouldn't have died of pneumonia if I hadn't shot him.
EINSTEIN: No, no, you can't count him! You've got twelve, they've got twelve. The old ladies are just as good as you are!
I know, I know, it sounds really cheesy and disgusting on paper, but trust me, it's hilarious when you actually see it. Watch it for Peter Lorre's performance alone! |
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