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Blondie's Big Deal

1949

To say this one was predictable is an understatement. I knew what the entire rest of the story would be as soon as "Mr. Levan" showed up at Blondie's door.

So in this one, Dagwood and Radcliffe are bidding on an elementary school construction project, and Dagwood has invented some fireproof paint that he's sure will win them the contract. They plan to demonstrate its fire retardant capabilities on Radcliffe's fishing cabin. The evil rival construction company wants to steal the paint in order to win the contract, so one of them poses as a guy from a fire insurance company, drives the Bumsteads to the cabin to paint it, and swaps the fireproof paint for normal paint. The cabin then burns down at the demonstration. With the help of a neighbor kid, the Bumsteads discover the treachery of the rival company. Blondie infiltrates the company by being hired as a secretary and attempts to get the paint back. She's caught, however, and they tie her up and gag her. There's another demonstration, with the rival company claiming they have their own fireproof paint. They almost get away with it, but Blondie escapes and presents a recording she made of the two rival construction company men discussing their evil plan. Dagwood punches them, and they get arrested.

This might have been interesting if the evil rival construction company plot line hadn't already appeared in "Blondie's Anniversary," and been done a bit better in that one. I enjoy that Dagwood got to punch a couple guys, but that's the only good thing I can say about this one. Alvin is in it, but some other neighbor kid, who is smarter than everyone and better at everything than everyone, nabs the spotlight from him.

Also, the title has nothing to do with anything that happens in the movie. Absolutely nothing.