The Reformer and the Redhead

The reformer is Andrew Rockton Hale (Dick Powell), running for mayor on a good-government platform. The redhead is Kathleen Maguire (June Allyson), a zoo superintendent's daughter who keeps a full-grown lion as a house cat. When a corrupt party boss unjustly bounces Maguire's father from his job, the two become political -- and romantic -- partners, despite Hale's misgivings about hanging around 500 pounds of feline. And that's before a different lion escapes from the zoo, and Hale confuses the predator for the pet! Real-life marrieds Powell and Allyson bring sparkling chemistry to this fast-paced farce. The Reformer and the Redhead is produced, directed and scripted by one of the most talented teams in comedy-film history: Norman Panama and Melvin Frank, the duo whose writing credits include Monsieur Beaucaire, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House and The Court Jester, among other all-time favorites.

• comedy
• romance