Umpteenth in the current series of romantic-slapstick comedies, "Joy of Living," with Irene Dunne and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., is somewhat disappointing mainly because its cast arouses expectations of something better. This does not mean that it is not thoroughly amusing and considerably above the usual comedy run. However, the dialogue is uninspired and labored, and at times merely insipid. Some of the funny situations are drawn out until the last tortured laugh is extorted from unhappy spectators, while other situations are simply not funny. Such a thing is deplorable, for Miss Dunne and Mr. Fairbanks are as engaging a pair as can be tracked down in many long moons of hunting on the Hollywood trail.

Mr. Fairbanks, who owns a freighter and a South Sea island and who "does what he does when he wants to do it," tries to convince Miss Dunne, highest star in the Broadway heavens, that she should shake the call of duty to her career and her family. His main hurdle lies in showing her what leeches and rodents are her family, which she keeps in antiques and good liquor. Success is his, by means of a rousing drunk, Hollywood's perennial ice-breaker, which occupies most of the picture.