Day plays Kate MacKay, mother of four hellions and the long suffering wife of esoteric drama critic Larry MacKay (Niven.) With her husband under seige by every actor, director, and producer in town, Kate decides to move the family to a home in the country--and in the process leaves her husband open to the temptations of Broadway star Deborah Vaughn (Janis Paige.) Before too long, Larry's swelling ego threatens their happy home.
The cast is expert, with both Day and Niven extremely enjoyable and Janis Paige memorable as the Broadway siren who attempts to lead Niven astray; the supporting roles are also expertly handled by a cast that includes Spring Byington. The script is witty with a dash of sophistocated sparkle, and unlike most of Day's later comedies manages to avoid the feel of frantic farce. A truly enjoyable outing; pure fun all the way.
Niven is seen making a transition, moving from a university drama professorship to a top critic's position at a prestigious New York newspaper. He and Day decide to move to the country, buying a medieval looking large house on the Hudson River a commutable distance from the city, which introduces a large renovation phase reminiscent of Cary Grant and Myrna Loy in "Mister Blandings Builds His Dream House."
Janis Paige is excellent as a sexually aggressive stage star who initially generates publicity following a negative review in Niven's initial piece for the newspaper by slapping the critic twice at Sardi's, the second time because a cameraman did not record the earlier slap. Niven feels self-conscious because the musical was produced by Richard Haydn, his best friend, but feels compelled to criticize it nevertheless out of journalistic duty. After Niven writes a critical commentary about Paige as a means of getting even after being slapped, Haydn is able to turn what has become a feud between glamorous star and drama critic into box office dividends via controversial publicity. Paige finally apologizes, then begins pursuing Niven to the chagrin of Day, but Niven remains true to Day and the story ends happily.
