As a swansong for Irene Dunne, one of the screen's most engaging presences, It Grows on Trees is definitely a disappointment; one wishes that this most appealing star had gone out with a bigger bang. Still, in its own terms, Trees is certainly an amiable and pleasant little diversion. High concept all the way, Trees often plays as if it were one of Disney's comedies from that studio's 1950s/1960s "family film" heyday. But whereas some of the Disney films tend to coast a little too much on the strength of their premise, Trees finds many interesting variations in its plot that grow naturally from asking what really would happen if money grew on trees. It's all silly, but so innocent that most viewers will be beguiled. Certainly, Dunne does everything in her power to beguile; few other actresses could play zany in as down-to-earth a way as Dunne, making even the most farfetched situations seem almost natural. She's ably assisted by Dean Jagger and Richard Crenna, among others, as well as by Arthur Lubin's light and zippy direction -- but it's Dunne that makes Trees worth viewing.
by Craig Butler
review
