Let's be realistic.

Best movie ever!

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

Whatever you may think about this movie as it goes along, most will agree that the ending is absolutely hilarious -- Fredric March working his one-man phone bank from the lobby directing havoc to his wife's room. I personally don't see any good reason to compare this one with others that may be similar or with actors who have routinely made this type of film. This is a standalone film these actors made and I think they did it well. Fredric March is always a good actor, and he was convincing with what he had to do here. His earnest straight face in itself was more than amusing as he performed his chicanery throughout. Loretta Young is always beautiful, extremely well costumed and generally ladylike and can be enjoyed for those reasons. Additionally, unless prejudiced, one would have to admit that, despite her very strong beauty, she is a more than competent actress. She's the first to receive both an Oscar and an Emmy, with many, many other acting awards along the way of her extensive career. During that span, she has played a wide variety of characters and types. She especially enjoyed her long-running television program because she could vary her roles. This is a good movie.

I enjoyed this film, but that's not to say it's a perfect movie. The first problem is that it's one of those stories where a couple is feuding, and rather than simply talking things out, one or both sets up all sorts of clever manipulations to bring things to the conclusion he or she prefers. Okay, but there is such a thing as taking the concept too far. The other problem is that one of the lead supporting actors -- Robert Benchley -- isn't very humorous in this film...which is odd...that's his trade.But, Loretta Young is quite appealing (and beautiful) here as the stage actress who wants to retire, and Frederick March is quite good here as the husband and playwright who wants to continue working. I think the comedy works, in part, because bother actors are more dramatic actors than comedy actors. Of course, the legal aspect of Reno divorces may confound people nowadays, and understanding divorce in that era is key to appreciating the film.While Young and March did very nicely, the supporting actors were not as appealing here. As mentioned, Robert Benchley, a true wit, wasn't very funny here at all. Allyn Joslyn, usually a very funny character actor (and here the "other man" seemed a bit too frantic here, and a chance for a great scene was missed when you only heard about him being arrested at what I assume was a house of ill repute, rather than saw him being arrested; it could have been very funny. Eve Arden also seemed a bit out of place here.But, don't get me wrong. This is a very watchable film, and it's worth your time to enjoy two fine actors who move toward a somewhat predictable ending.

Bedtime Story (1941) *** (out of 4) Delightful and often times hysterical comedy about a playwrite (Fredric March) who will stop at nothing to get his actress wife (Loretta Young) out of retirement to star in his latest play. The story might be typical for this type of comedy but the incredible cast really makes this one of the most memorable films of its type. March is downright brilliant as the obsessed writer who puts his play over his wife. March keeps his serious tone throughout the film but the way he makes it a tad bit lighter than we typically see just shows what a great actor he was. Young is also perfect in her role, which requires her to be funny and even dramatic during a few scenes. The chemistry between March and Young is wonderful and they make for a terrific duo. Robert Benchley, Allyn Joslyn and Helen Westley add great support and make the film even more funny. The film ends on a hysterical note as a riot breaks out in a motel room, which features just about everything you could imagine.

All the previous commenters are right: you'll find some things to like here. Exactly which things they are will depend on what you're hoping for. I think Fredric March is terrific as Luke, for the same reason other folks didn't enjoy him so much -- he's not what you're expecting, perhaps because his buttoned-down good looks make a great foil for his deviousness. Here, in mid-career, March's role is the kind Harrison Ford occasionally takes to lighten up. Benchley's Benchley (that's a plus) and Eve Arden has a great turn as an actress who must absorb withering directorial scorn for no good reason. Loretta Young is where this potentially fizzy movie goes flat in spots. She's ladylike to a fault. After I saw this movie on TCM I decided it must've been written as a Powell-Loy vehicle -- theirs is the kind of chemistry that would've put more zip in this script. But March's performance is a treat.