Main Cast: Adolphe Menjou, Carole Landis, John Hubbard, William Gargan, Veree Teasdale
Release Year: 1940
Country: US
Run Time: 83 minutes
Plot
One of several "naughty" screwball comedies based on the works of Thorne Smith (of Topper fame), Hal Roach's Turnabout stars Carole Landis and John Hubbard as unhappily married couple Sally and Tim Willows. Bored with her humdrum existence, Sally spends most of her time figuring out ways of spending her husband's money, while hard-working Tim plots and plans to "step out" on the Missus in the company of his business associates Manning (Adolphe Menjou) and Clare (William Gargan). All of this changes when an effigy representing an Oriental deity comes to life and exchanges Sally and Tim's personalities. As a result, Sally awakens with a deep voice and dons Tim's business suit, while Tim speaks in a falsetto and favors Sally's frilly frocks. The complications ensuing from this role-reversal are much better seen than described, while the film's hilarious denouement was tipped by United Artists' ad campaign, which heralded that "The man's had a baby instead of the lady." Though not nearly as risque as it seemed to be back in 1940, Turnabout is full of wonderful vignettes, including a priceless bit involving veteran screen "pansy" Franklin Pangborn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Nicolai Remisoff - Art Director, Hal Roach - Director, Bert Jordan - Editor, Arthur Morton - Composer (Music Score), Norbert F. Brodin - Cinematographer, Hal Roach - Producer, Roy Seawright - Special Effects, Rian James - Screenwriter, John McClain - Screenwriter, Berne Giler - Screenwriter, Mickell Seltzer - Screenwriter, Thorne Smith - Book Author
Tim and Sally Willows (John Hubbard and Carole Landis) are a spoiled well-off couple who constantly bicker and cannot agree on anything. When they both wish they could live what they believe is the easy life of the other, they have their identities switched by an ancient Indian idol.
