Has Anybody Seen My Gal

One of a projected series of films about small town America, this was Sirk's first in colour. Coburn plays an eccentric millionaire investigating the Blaisdell family, to whom he is thinking of leaving all his money. The $100,000 he gives them as a test goes to the parents' heads, but the children and their commonsensical values save the day. From this perspective the film is an admirable companion piece to All That Heaven Allows. In contrast to the devastating view of selfish children and mean-minded respectable citizens of that film, Has Anybody Seen My Gal is one of Sirk's gentler - and lesser - works, making charming use of its '20s setting and songs. James Dean made his brief debut in one of the drugstore scenes.