Why so much hype?

Some things I liked some I did not.

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Imagine Marvin Kaplan playing a gangster in film?This was absolutely an inane farce with Farley Granger and Shelley Winters. In the same year that she made the memorable "A Place in the Sun," Shelley got herself into this one mess of a film.The mother-in-law steals the film as she conveys what the traditional mother-in-law is supposed to convey- constant criticism of the in-law and non-stop trouble.In a ridiculous fashion, Granger gets caught up with counterfeiters when he accidentally comes upon the dog they need to make their counterfeit transaction. Winters is his wife and William Demarest is the wily head of the police bureau.No matter where the gullible Granger goes, murder seems to follow. In fact, this is just what this mess of a movie is-just murder to view.

A huge cast of familiar faces are one of the only assets here, tossed together in this unfunny comedy about a trained dog who escapes from his master's voice and follows accountant Farley Granger home where his wife (Shelley Winters) assumes that the friendly pup to be an anniversary present. Granger is determined to get the dog back to its rightful owners which leads to a string of murders involving stolen money. Granger, of course, becomes a top suspect, perplexing the police because he really has no purpose in being involved.Winters and Granger share a nice chemistry with Margalo Gilmore as her stereotypical nasty mother who obviously hates Granger and constantly reminds him of her generosity of having them in her house. Bad guys played by Elisha Cook Jr., Hans Conreid, Sheldon Leonard, Marvin Kaplan, Francis L. Sullivan and Lon Chaney Jr. all seem to serve a purpose of being killed off in unique ways. The cops, played by William Demerast and Allen Jenkins are as stereotypically dumb as they come.As for Archie, the cute pooch, there's no doubt that he's adorable, but he's also a trouble-maker, getting Granger in more hot water with the mother-in-law from hell over eating raw bacon and even locking Granger out of the apartment. So when the dog takes Granger's dinner more than one time, you really can't blame him for picking the pooch up and taking a bite out of him. The screenwriters were barking up the wrong tree when they thought that this was funny.

"Behave Yourself" has two things going for it – a big cast of recognizable character actors, and a very good plot that makes it quite funny. The lead actors are just OK, but neither Shelley Winters nor Farley Granger seem quite right for their parts. I can think of a number of actors who may have carried off the role of Bill Denny much better. Tony Randall would get huge laughs. Danny Kaye would have turned it into a laugh riot. The fact that this was a B movie by RKO shouldn't weigh against it. RKO made some excellent films in its day, with cast-offs or leading actors on lay-off from their major studios over rifts. But, this film didn't get the right mix of leads to make it the hit it could have been. So, my high score for the film rests mostly on the brief appearances of a host of wonderful Hollywood character actors of the time. And for the plot. Francis Sullivan, Lon Chaney Jr., Marvin Kaplan, Hans Conried, Elisha Cook, Henry Corden, and Allen Jenkins are faces that movie-goers of the mid-20th century would know from the many films they made. They were usually cast as heavies, buffoons, cads, or nervous or frightened characters. In this movie, each has his familiar place. And, as the plot develops, we see one "con" group knock off a couple crooks, then another group get the next one, etc. The plot was so solid, I wonder why it wasn't picked up after that and made into a smash comedy with the right lead actors and supporting team.

I have watched this film over and over and every time I watch it I still laugh at the same jokes and Archie 'the dog' is just so funny and cute. I disagree about Farley Granger, I think he is brilliant in his role. Shelley Winters is superb though and does kind-of outshine him. The film is full of good guy is stupid, meets dog, has interfering mother-in-law and doting wife who sticks by him - Shelley is fantastic!!! and in the end the good guys win, all down to Archie being the most clever one. George Beck did a good job directing his own work but perhaps another director with more experience would have given the film a certain 'pizazz'and flair that would have made it known as one of the best comedies ever. Still this film is great and perhaps unjustly unknown. It's never shown on TV and isn't classed as a film masterpiece, perhaps with more exposure it would become one. Anyway here's a quick plot synopsis: Farley Granger and Shelley Winters - Husband and Wife, living with a typical 'film' mother-in-law played by Margalo Gillmore, who does give the part justice - you do learn to hate her. Of course after her son-in-law gets a reward for stopping the gangsters and becomes famous, she changes her tune. All through the film she goes on about how it's 'HER' house and how Bill (FG) doesn't treat it well and that he's no good, whatever he does. When it's Kate's birthday (SW) and Bill goes to buy her a present after forgetting; until she reminds him on the phone. This is where he meets Archie 'the dog' after Archie follows Bill when Bill gives him some chocolate. Bill has to foot 'the bill' after Archie wrecks the store, and subsequently Bill doesn't get a present for his wife. On the way home he tries to concoct a story to tell his wife, talking to himself and getting strange looks from passers-by. When he tries to explain to Kate and her mother about how 'the present got knocked out of my hand, in a crowd and it went down a sewer' when Archie appears and leaps in to Kate's arms. Outside the store Bill had thrown away the card he had wrote to Kate and Archie had picked it up and gave it to Kate on their arrival back at the house. Therefore Bill couldn't deny that Archie wasn't a present for Kate. After he's gotten away with the present idea, his mother-in-law pipes up with "such a little dog" - he can't win. To conclude this is a great little film and Archie acts superbly, along with the other cast of course!