IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.8K
YOUR RATING
An uptight IRS agent is ordered to investigate a rural family in debt to the government...but the family - including lovely daughter Mariette - help him loosen up.An uptight IRS agent is ordered to investigate a rural family in debt to the government...but the family - including lovely daughter Mariette - help him loosen up.An uptight IRS agent is ordered to investigate a rural family in debt to the government...but the family - including lovely daughter Mariette - help him loosen up.
- Awards
- 3 nominations
William Smith
- Barney
- (as Bill Smith)
Robert Carson
- Party Guest
- (uncredited)
Gordon Carveth
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Gene Coogan
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis was Paul Douglas' last film. He died of a heart attack in 1959, the same year the movie was made. He was born in 1907, making him 52 when he made this film. He had been offered a starring role in Billy Wilder's The Apartment (1960), but the role was given to Fred MacMurray after Douglas passed away.
- GoofsDuring the opening scene and the aerial view of the Larkin Farm, Lorenzo's car is seen in the yard. Lorenzo doesn't arrive until later.
- Quotes
Mariette Larkin: You were born suspicious! I'll bet you made the doctor show his license before you let him slap your behind!
- ConnectionsFeatures High School Confidential! (1958)
- SoundtracksThe Mating Game
Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Lee Adams
Performed by Debbie Reynolds (uncredited)
[Title song performed during the opening titles and credits]
Featured review
The Larkins own a farm in a Maryland area which has become home to the ultra-rich. Mariette Larkin (Debbie Reynolds) is their oldest offspring. Their rich neighbor Wendell Burnshaw wants them out and decides to call up the IRS. Tax collector Lorenzo Charlton (Tony Randall) discovers that Pop Larkin has never filed a tax return and sets out to collect all the back taxes. Anybody who has more than $600 annual income has to file but Lorenzo has trouble showing that Pop has any income at all since he barters for everything. Mariette falls for Lorenzo and the Larkins scheme to keep him at the farm.
Debbie Reynolds is at her energetic self. There is fun with the premise. Tony Randall could do more to promote the romantic chemistry. He's playing a stick in the mud and it lasts too long. There are a couple of moments when he needs to give in to her a lot easier. He needs to show his lust for her in a bigger way. She's doing most of the work. He needs to match her in some way. There is also the It's a Wonderful Life ending which is cut short. I'd prefer the It's a Wonderful Life ending except the church folks should pay the bill directly. Even the kids could throw in their flower money. It's a more meaningful solution. Overall, Debbie Reynolds works hard to not let the wacky fun fade by her will power and the barn fight is oddly slapstick hilarious. It's lovely and light fun.
Debbie Reynolds is at her energetic self. There is fun with the premise. Tony Randall could do more to promote the romantic chemistry. He's playing a stick in the mud and it lasts too long. There are a couple of moments when he needs to give in to her a lot easier. He needs to show his lust for her in a bigger way. She's doing most of the work. He needs to match her in some way. There is also the It's a Wonderful Life ending which is cut short. I'd prefer the It's a Wonderful Life ending except the church folks should pay the bill directly. Even the kids could throw in their flower money. It's a more meaningful solution. Overall, Debbie Reynolds works hard to not let the wacky fun fade by her will power and the barn fight is oddly slapstick hilarious. It's lovely and light fun.
- SnoopyStyle
- Jan 27, 2019
- Permalink
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Engel unter Sündern
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $876,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 36 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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