Watch Behave Yourself

Behave Yourself is a 1951 crime-comedy film, directed by George Beck and starring Farley Granger, Shelley Winters, and William Demarest. The plot revolves around a newlywed couple, Bill and Kate, who come home one day to find a lost dog waiting outside their apartment. The dog, Archie, tags along with the couple as they unwittingly get involved with a group of criminals who are after a cache of stolen diamonds.

The film opens with a shot of a lost dog wandering the streets, eventually making its way to the doorstep of Bill and Kate's apartment. The couple takes the dog in, and after a bit of poking around, they discover that Archie belongs to a notorious gangster named Dan Langley. Meanwhile, Langley's henchmen are frantically searching for the dog, knowing that it has swallowed a key to a safe-deposit box where the diamonds are stashed.

Bill and Kate are hapless innocents who get in way over their heads as they try to return the dog to its rightful owner. Along the way, they get mixed up with a host of colorful characters, including an eccentric millionaire, a pompous detective, and a femme fatale who tries to seduce Bill. As they delve deeper into the criminal underworld, Bill and Kate find themselves in increasingly dangerous situations.

Farley Granger gives a charming performance as Bill, a lovable screw-up who just can't seem to catch a break. Shelley Winters is equally delightful as Kate, his loyal and plucky wife who holds her own against the shady characters they encounter. William Demarest steals the show as the bumbling detective who is hot on the trail of the missing diamonds.

The film is a deftly crafted blend of comedy and suspense, with a lighthearted tone that never detracts from the tension of the plot. The script, by Mel Dinelli and Carl Foreman, is full of witty one-liners and clever twists and turns that keep the audience guessing until the end. The direction by George Beck is similarly assured, with a jaunty pace that keeps the action moving along.

One of the highlights of the film is the supporting cast, which includes a number of memorable character actors. Elisha Cook Jr. is particularly effective as a sinister thug with a hair-trigger temper, while Jess Barker brings a touch of suave danger to his role as Langley's right-hand man. The film also features a number of cameos by well-known actors of the day, including Lon Chaney Jr. and Hans Conried.

Another standout element of the film is its use of music. The score, by Frank De Vol, is a jaunty mix of swing and bebop that perfectly captures the energy and excitement of the story. The film also features several musical numbers, including a catchy theme song that is sure to get stuck in your head.

Overall, Behave Yourself is a delightful romp that perfectly captures the spirit of the screwball comedies of the 1930s and 40s. With its playful sense of humor and clever plotting, it's a film that will keep you smiling from beginning to end.

Behave Yourself is a 1951 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.