Leave It to Blondie

This week's Blondie film started with a slip-up when both Bumsteads donated to the same charity, resulting in them being $98 short. The framing of this predictable mix-up is handled well.  

The fact that a couple with two children, a house, and a bunch of dogs has $2 to spare is somewhat notable here. You would think (other than their son's war bonds), there would be some additional money to be had. Also, $100 in 1945 or so was a lot of money to donate! Almost a month's salary (median via Census figures). 

The film was a return for the franchise after a short mid-WWII break (no films in 1944). There continue to be a few war references, including a newspaper girl [a common bit is Daisy taking in the paper as part of the morning breakfast business], noting she's doing it until her brother is home from the Navy. You would think the newspaper route would be done originally by someone too young anyhow.

The plot has a nifty way of finding a way to wrap up a bunch of things into the storyline. There is a song contest that addresses the money issue, a way for Dithers to get involved, some confusion involving a brunette, and more.

One thing and this has been a repeat player since the first film (if thankfully not every time), that annoys me is Blondie worrying about Dagwood cheating on her somehow. This time she gets all worked up over a tea reading. Dagwood is a loving doofus and she's a beautiful loyal blonde. Not going to happen. This being a major plotline is tiresome. Blondie personally deserves better material.

The characters are all comfortable in their roles. Cookie started to talk in an earlier film. She now gets her own amusing bits. 

A bit about Dagwood wearing a regular tie btw was amusing, including multiple people saying he now looks like a normal man, and him after a beat doing a double take. His boss comments on a stain on the tie. 

The confusion about the brunette, however, ruins the center of the picture. I enjoyed the beginning. Then, that part started to dominate, including Blondie kicking Dagwood out when she thought she caught the two in the act somehow. I turned it off then. Maybe, it found itself by the end, but it would not be the first time the plot got a bit too tiresome and a bit lazy. 

Penny Singleton does have a good "annoyed face."