Watch It Happens Every Spring

It Happens Every Spring is a 1949 romantic comedy directed by Lloyd Bacon and starring Ray Milland, Jean Peters, and Paul Douglas. The film tells the story of Vernon Simpson (Milland), a chemistry professor at a small college who accidentally discovers a formula that repels wood. He soon realizes that the formula can be used to make a baseball bat that would enable any team to win the Pennant.

As the baseball season approaches, Simpson creates a new identity for himself and tries to sell the formula to both the New York Yankees and the St. Louis Cardinals. Both teams are interested in the formula, but Simpson's efforts are complicated when he falls in love with the beautiful Deborah Greenleaf (Peters), the daughter of the college's president.

Deborah is engaged to another man, but Simpson's scientific knowledge and quirky sense of humor manage to win her over. However, as their relationship develops, Simpson's lie about his identity and the formula becomes more and more difficult to maintain. Meanwhile, his colleague, Monk Lanigan (Douglas), discovers the truth about Simpson's formula and becomes determined to sabotage Simpson's efforts to sell it to the highest bidder.

The film is primarily a romantic comedy, but it also comments on the role of science and technology in society. Simpson's discovery of the wood-repelling formula is a reflection of the post-World War II scientific boom, but the film also suggests that science has its limits and that it should be used ethically and responsibly. This message is particularly relevant given the Cold War context in which the film was made.

Ray Milland is charming in the lead role, balancing his character's scientific intelligence with a boyish sense of humor. Jean Peters is equally delightful as Deborah, playing her as both smart and vulnerable. Paul Douglas provides comic relief as Monk and serves as a counterpoint to Simpson's more serious demeanor.

The film's direction by Lloyd Bacon is solid, but it is the screenplay by Valentine Davies and Harry Kurnitz that really shines. The script is witty and clever, with plenty of great one-liners and comedic set-pieces. The film's climax, which involves a baseball game played with Simpson's wood-repelling bat, is particularly inspired.

Overall, It Happens Every Spring is a charming, lighthearted romantic comedy with a strong message about the value of ethics in science. It is well worth watching for fans of classic Hollywood comedies.

It Happens Every Spring is a 1949 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.