Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy buys a house, and it’s surprisingly hard to make it livable; also, ham.

🍿 Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House: Detailed Plot Synopsis

City Life and a Dream

Jim Blandings, an advertising executive, lives in a cramped New York City apartment with his wife Muriel and their two daughters. Dissatisfied with their limited space and Muriel’s plans for an expensive apartment remodel, Jim impulsively decides they should buy a house in the country.

Buying the ‘Dream’ House

The Blandings find a seemingly idyllic farmhouse in Connecticut. However, they quickly learn that the charming old house is structurally unsound. Despite warnings from Jim’s lawyer and friend, Bill Cole, they purchase the property, setting in motion a series of escalating costs and construction woes.

Construction Chaos

The old farmhouse is torn down, and the Blandings hire an architect to design their dream house. Construction is plagued by delays, unexpected costs, and disagreements over design. Jim becomes increasingly stressed, balancing his work, the house, and his growing suspicions about Muriel’s relationship with Bill.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jim Blandings (Cary Grant): An advertising executive who impulsively buys a dilapidated house in Connecticut, leading to numerous construction and financial woes.
• Muriel Blandings (Myrna Loy): Jim’s wife who supports the move to the country but also contributes to the escalating costs with her remodeling ideas.
• Bill Cole (Melvyn Douglas): The Blandings’ pragmatic lawyer and friend, who provides advice and wry commentary throughout their home-building journey.
• Gussie (Louise Beavers): The Blandings’ housekeeper who inadvertently saves Jim’s job by providing the perfect advertising slogan.
• Henry Simms (Reginald Denny): The architect hired by the Blandings, who struggles to accommodate their ever-changing plans for their dream house.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Muriel Blandings: “I want it to be a soft green, not as blue-green as a robin’s egg, but not as yellow-green as daffodil buds.” – Muriel meticulously describes the precise shade of green she wants for a room, showcasing her attention to detail and somewhat unrealistic expectations.
• Jim Blandings: “How much is this house going to cost us when it’s finished?” – Jim asks the question that haunts him throughout the movie, as costs continually escalate beyond his initial budget.
• Bill Cole: “You’ve been taken to the cleaners, and you don’t even know your pants are off.” – Bill bluntly assesses Jim’s naivety in buying the property, foreshadowing the financial troubles to come.
• Gussie: “If you ain’t eating WHAM, you ain’t eating ham!” – Gussie spontaneously coins the perfect slogan for Jim’s advertising campaign, resolving his professional crisis.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $5,995,000
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved this movie! It’s so relatable to anyone who’s ever dealt with home renovations. Cary Grant is hilarious as the increasingly frustrated Mr. Blandings, and Myrna Loy is just perfect as his wife. The paint color scene is iconic, and I still laugh every time I see it. Even though it was made in the 40s, the humor is timeless and the story is still relevant. Definitely a must-watch for anyone who needs a good laugh!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic comedies”
  • “People interested in mid-century Americana”
  • “Anyone who has experienced the joys and frustrations of home renovation”
  • “Cary Grant and Myrna Loy fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild comedic situations”
  • “Some outdated social attitudes (particularly regarding race and gender)”
  • “No explicit content”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A delightful comedy. Cary Grant and Myrna Loy are at their best, portraying the harried couple with charm and wit. The supporting cast adds to the fun, and the script is filled with clever lines and relatable situations. A classic that holds up remarkably well.
• Gold Derby: “Grant and Loy deliver polished performances, with Grant perfectly portraying the bewildered man of America. Hilarious scenes, especially those involving paint colors, make this a highly recommended RKO gem that remains hugely enjoyable.

Audience Reactions

Viewers found the film highly relatable to their own experiences with homeownership and construction projects.: Many agree that the film’s comedy still holds up well and is a timeless classic.

The cast, especially Cary Grant and Myrna Loy, received high praise for their performances and chemistry.: Many viewers highlighted the paint color scene as a memorable and hilarious moment.

Overall Consensus: A timeless and relatable comedy that captures the frustrations and humor of homeownership, with excellent performances from Cary Grant and Myrna Loy.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The opening credits are displayed on an architect’s blueprints, setting the tone for the film’s theme of home construction.”
• “The film is based on the 1946 novel ‘Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House’ by Eric Hodgins, which was a humorous account of his own experiences building a house in Connecticut.”
• “Mr. Blandings’ yearly salary of $15,000 would be approximately $193,000 in 2024 when adjusted for inflation. The screenwriters originally gave him a salary of $10,000, but postwar inflation forced them to give him a raise before shooting began.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House?

As a classic film, “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House” is available for rent or purchase on several digital platforms. You can find it on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other VOD services. Check your preferred streaming service for availability. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray can also be purchased online or at retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, you might like these similar films:

• George Washington Slept Here (1940): Another comedy focused on the troubles of city dwellers buying a dilapidated country home, sharing similar themes of renovation mishaps.
• The Money Pit (1986): A more modern comedic take on the same premise of a couple’s disastrous home renovation project, with slapstick elements.
• Yours, Mine and Ours (1968): Illustrates the chaos of family life. Also, showcases a property renovation project fraught with unforeseen challenges, reflecting the theme of domestic disruption.
• The Court Jester (1955): A comedy starring Danny Kaye, features the same comedic timing and physical humor as Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, providing light-hearted entertainment.

🛒 Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House Related Products

• Cary Grant: A Class Apart: A comprehensive documentary exploring the life and career of Cary Grant, featuring rare footage and interviews.
• Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House Blu-Ray: High-definition Blu-Ray of Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House. A must have in any classic comedy collector’s library.
• Myrna Loy: Being and Becoming: Explore the career of Myrna Loy, from her start in silent films through her most popular roles, and beyond.
• Classic Movie Poster – Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster, capturing the charm and humor of the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Home on the Range” – performed by Traditional

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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This clip from ‘Mr. Blandings’ shows a surprising take on education! The commentary offers an interesting perspective on the scene’s meaning. It makes you think!

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