The Age of Commercialism

That was an excellent one.

Highly Overrated But Still Good

good back-story, and good acting

And this comes from a lifelong feminist.I saw this film on TV back in 1973, along with "That Funny Feeling". I have just bought both movies on DVD.They're both cute movies made in the early 1960s. I take them for what they are. They're funny, sweet flicks that leave something to the imagination.I liked Chantal's mother....yes, an attractive woman over 40. How often do you see that today in youth-obsessed Hollywood? Everyone dressed age-appropriately and not a pair of fake breasts to be seen! Sandra looked lovely, as always.There are too many things in this world these days to get bent out of shape about - this movie is not one of them.

I am so fortunate that this delightful, romantic, funny romp is now available on DVD (as are "Come September" and "That Funny Feeling"), so people can indulge in this fun fest and the chemistry between Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin (then married in real life).The plot concerns a wealthy young socialite, Chantal Stacy (the lovely and priceless Dee) who as trouble finding Mr. Right, until she meets photographer Eugene Wright (the cute and hilarious Darin). After she marries him, she tries to use her mother's advice by treating him like a pet, thinking that will make him a more affectionate and attentive husband. It works for a while, until Chantal spills her "secret" to her school friend (a young Stefanie Powers), who, just slightly tipsy, lets Eugene in on it, and leaving Chantal to find a different way to get his attention. Again, she turns to her mother for advice for some jealousy tactics. Micheline Presle is a gem as Chantal's mother, while John Lund is perfect as Chantal's protective father. And Cesar Romero is impeccable as Eugene's "dirty old man" artist father taking part in one of the schemes. And the cute dogs and the new little "addition" to the family . . . . .Dee and Darin were an adorable couple, and this movie confirms it. Don't listen to the critics' opinions about this blast from the past - it's a jewel. It's great that so many of these older movies are being released on DVD, as they so justly deserve to be. Now a whole new generation can enjoy them!

Films from earlier times reflect values that are contemporary to the makers – this is a given of artistic evaluation. But it is hard to believe that people of the early 1960s were as sexist, stupid and shallow as this film portrays them. No wonder some people don't like old movies! Sandra Dee plays a young woman who takes her mother's bizarre, manipulative 'advice' and quickly lands a husband, played by Dee's real-life spouse Bobby Darin. The plot revolves around such infantile ploys as inventing a lover to make your spouse jealous, using a dog-training manual as a guide to 'train' your spouse and interfering in the marriage of your adult child. The only thing to be said in favor of this film is that it is definitely glossy in typical Ross Hunter style – beautiful, glamorous people in gorgeous clothes and picture-perfect settings. Otherwise, it is useful only as an example of how not to live one's life!

Okay, so Dee ain't Day, and Darin is hardly Hudson. There's a couple of surprises in this movie. In fact, there's a delicious exception to the rule: a woman in her forties who is wise, glamorous and a successful wife and mother. Micheline Presle plays Dee's mother, and she's the one who advises her daughter to treat her husband like a dog. "Husbands often leave home; pets never do. There must be a reason." And, "Most husbands are not given the affection and consideration of the average dog." She smiles knowingly, and Dee begins to follow instructions: "Never lose your temper with your puppy...Praise him lavishly when he does something right...Make living with you so much fun he never wants to go anywhere else..." And it works. Food for thought.