Zeus

Unexpected Uncle (1941)

• Director
  • Peter Godfrey
• Writers
  • Delmer Daves(screen play)
  • Noel Langley(screen play)
  • Eric Hatch(from the novel by)
• Stars
  • Anne Shirley
  • James Craig
  • Charles Coburn

  From first frame to last, foxy Charles Coburn thoroughly dominates the proceedings in the bubbly RKO Radio comedy Unexpected Uncle. Living in retirement in Florida, ex-tycoon Seton (Charles Coburn) gets bored with sitting around doing nothing, and decides to extend himself to others for the first time in his life. Deftly pulling strings behind the scenes, Seton manipulates the budding romance between lingerie saleswoman Kathleen (Anne Shirley) and young millionaire Johnny (James Craig). Figuring that Kathleen will be a more desirable bride if Johnny's family thinks that she's rich herself, Seton poses as the girl's uncle, a guise that leads to all sorts of hilarity, including a chucklesome drunk scene. Ernest Truex tries to steal a scene or two as Johnny's manservant, but it's Charles Coburn's show all the way.