chowse1 As is elsewhere mentioned, this was to have been a vehicle for Mae West. It's interesting to wonder what that might have been like. Ginger Rogers and Carol Channing provide an off beat duo for what is essentially a screwball comedy based on a wacky premise. Miss Channing was still trading on her Lorelei Lee persona and Miss Rogers was trying to expand her versatility as an actress rather than as Astaire's dancing partner. The summary constitutes the plot. It's amusing and the pairing works very well. Opposites do attract and Channing's brass is a perfect foil for Roger's class. The youthful Barry Nelson gets the not quite so youthful Ginger and a swell time is had by all. In this same vein, Phyllis Diller knocks out a stellar performance in "The First Travelling Sales Lady" which has belly laughs as opposed to the fun here. In this age a corset may take some explaining to many under sixty but the idea is fresh for the time it was made. Possibly Channing's best film having lost both "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and "Hello Dolly". In both cases she was not thought to have the "star power" needed. A shame, really. But this, with her role as "Muzzy" in "Thoroughly Modern Millie", gives one the idea of her charm and dazzling stage presence. Though completely G-rated, the innuendo is there and slyly delivered. Children might be slightly bored but is a family film. Adults will be convulsed.

LOVEfords RKO went out of business after this movie was made and it is no wonder. Carol Channing is a beast; Ginger Rogers, James Arness, and Clint Eastwood are nearly hopeless. It has got to be the direction and the script because all four are good actors - not to mention all of the very good supporting actors that appear. The plot is almost too silly to be believed and I found myself wishing it would end soon, it is embarrassingly weak. If it were a musical it could at least have some irrational premise that might make it worthwhile, but no such luck. Redeeming features: the costumes, and the chance to see a real star (Ginger Rogers) in action, she is a true professional; rising stars like Channing, Arness, and Eastwood. But don't set the VCR to record.

rjep4 Just finished "The First Traveling Saleslady" and I want to thank this site for a much more complete synopsis of the movie. I first clicked on Movie Tome and it didn't even list Ginger Rogers nor Carol Channing in the cast!! Watched it with my father (83) and my wife. We all found it to be a nice, enjoyable movie. Not as much singing as I expected with the two female leads and Ginger Roger's speaking voice was unusual (and I've seen a lot of movies with her from all those she did with Astaire as well as "The Major and the Minor"). Sounded like she was trying to do a match for Channing? Anyway, although you pretty much knew Barry Nelson would get here in the end making it rather predictable, it was cute, clean, and a lot of fun. I'd recommend it to anyone who's not overly critical and looking for relaxing, fun movie.

marcslope A dull little situation comedy made at the end of RKO's reign, and it looks desperate -- the patently false production values, the cheesy Americana, the mid-century niceness that dates so many '40s and '50s movies. However, and I can say this with authority: It's the only movie you will ever see where Clint Eastwood ends up paired with CAROL CHANNING. The Fifties were strange times, children.