More Than Offbeat, But Not A Dog

Powell Trades Tough For Rib Tickle in You Can Never Tell (1951)

Turns out Universal-International was making Disney live action comedies before Disney. This one's about a poisoned dog that returns in the person of Dick Powell to unmask his killer. Walt and crew might have done as much with Fred MacMurray or Dean Jones a decade later and to far wackier degree than restraint applied here. The subdue effect to what should have been friskier fare is what hobbles potential of You Can Never Tell. As long as they weren't really going to cut loose with the comedy, I found myself wishing the yarn were played straight, Powell's reincarnated pooch now a private eye squaring accounts in earnest, and never mind effort at laughs. Universal did any number of coat-and-tie (read genial) comedies during the 50's where nuttiness that was needed gave way to punches pulled. You Can Never Tell tries occasionally at breaking out of the pack. Powell's sidekick, formerly a racehorse, and now Joyce Holden, runs 45 MPH on foot to catch a departing bus, a bit of narrative abandon this show could use more of. I wish Frank Tashlin had directed You Can Never Tell instead of Lou Breslow. Powell in comfortable 50's status took properties he liked, made offbeat choices, had as many clicks as misses (and would seriously consider Curse Of The Demon a few years later). The idea of You Can Never Tell is, alas, more engaging than its execution, but isn't that the case with so many? Here is one that Universal could remake to advantage. Their On-Demand Vault series has You Can Never Tell for DVD purchase.