I read reviews here and was struck by the fact that reviews were so varied they seemed to be of different films- ranging from brainless but good fun to slapstick to clever. I thought I'd seen every movie from the 50's but somehow missed this. What a pleasant surprise. Very witty, with wry comments on how life is to be lived, taxes, the golden rule and most of all, SEX- many of which may have gone right over people's heads. How many of the scenes and lines got past the censors of the day I can't imagine- much closer to the bone than Doris Day films in the 60s. Example: teen daughter Debby Reynolds cavorts with three strapping young men in a haystack (one of them wonderful William Smith, the youngest I've ever seen him) while her parents laugh and comment on youngins sowing wild oats, and practice making perfect. The parents themselves hug and kiss, etc., refreshing to see 50-somethings appreciating each other in that way, very rare (in the movies, anyway). Don't get the idea the movie's in poor taste, it's not- it's charming, with an unusually appreciative attitude towards sex for the 1950s. The family is loving, resourceful, smart, supportive of one another, in many ways innocents in the world (NOT hillbillies though). I loved it- would've given it 10 stars but deducted one for the couple of Keystone Cops style chase scenes, of which I'm not a fan. Debbie Reynolds was radiant here (and did all her own stunt work- amazing). I was a big fan of Tony Randall, who did a great job but looked less handsome than usual, for some reason (any of you who have seen him on 50s game shows will remember him as handsome and suave, a class act).
Human nature is deftly dealt with in this gem. Reminded me a lot of the novel "Pioneer, Go Home" from the same year. I was surprised by a lot in this film, many unexpected lines and behaviors. I found it clever, delightful and highly original. Another reviewer opined that it is ripe for a remake- I think so too.
Human nature is deftly dealt with in this gem. Reminded me a lot of the novel "Pioneer, Go Home" from the same year. I was surprised by a lot in this film, many unexpected lines and behaviors. I found it clever, delightful and highly original. Another reviewer opined that it is ripe for a remake- I think so too.