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Comedy Movies/Old Black and White Comedy from the 50's

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Expert: - 5/14/2006


Question
In the late 50's I recall viewing a movie on TV with my
parents.  I can't remember the stars who played in this
comedy...but I do remember some of it.  Husband and wife
having some marriage problems both wish that they could
switch rolls in life...and when they wake up the next morning life has changed the wife to the husband and the
husband to the wife. I belive it had to do with a large
statue of a genie in their bedroom who grants their request?

Do you know the name of this movie and who where the stars?

Thanks,
Patricia

Answer
Patricia, this is the classic Hal Roach comedy, "Turnabout" made in 1940.  According to the Internet Movie Data Base, a bickering couple (played by John Hubbard and Carole Landis) wind up switching bodies/roles after muttering to a large statue in their bedroom, various called a Buddha or a genie, depending on the source.  The film also starred Aldolphe Menjou and Mary Astor, plus many others.  The film has a good fan following, and a print of it was recently restored for the 2006 San Francisco International Film Festival, but, alas, it is NOT yet available in VHS or DVD.  

By the way, the story, based originally on a novel by Thorne Smith, was remade as a short-lived television series in 1979.

I hope it shows up on TV near you soon, or that eventually it winds up on DVD (can always petition United Artists to release it).

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Barbara L. Baker

Expertise

I am a professor of communication at a midwest university, who has expertise on subjects related to film. I can answer general questions on U.S. film comedy (especially satires of the 1960s and 1970s) and comic theory. I also could answer questions related to specific comic genres, such as comedian comedies, screwball comedies, "stupid" comedies, and so forth. The more specific you can make your question, the better (e.g. main plot details, main characters, possible character names, possible actors, how you viewed the show, etc.). I also need to have a release date (or range of dates, or at least the year you viewed the film). Please do not just provide a set of links to someplace else (e.g. imdb discussion threads). I am less able to answer questions about comedies from other countries, made-for-TV movies, and recent comic films and actors (although I would do my best to find out). I cannot answer questions about specific TV shows or series, "Our Gang" episodes, anime/magna or about film collectables. I generally cannot provide movie recommendations, since what I find funny others may not. Nor will I answer obvious homework (although I will point you to resources to help answer the question, if asked). I also can't help you find movie stars, or where to buy movie memorabilia, or tell you how to break into the business.

Experience

Course work in comedy films along with teaching about comedy films for several years; I've also conducted research into comedy films.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in Communication, emphasis in film and rhetoric

Awards and Honors
A dissertation award from a national organization plus various paper awards

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My students

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