For the most part, Bob Hopes best movie roles were in his crisp comedies of the 1940s, including (but not limited to) the Road pictures. Then he did a series of slightly more serious comedy films in the 1950s and this one from 1960s, before he made quite a few rather inane comedies where -- at his age -- he thought he could still be a romantic screen star, albeit a comedy one. For my money, this is Bob Hope's last really good film, followed by a baker's dozen dumb movies.
And, this film is quite good. It's not a laugh out loud comedy. More a romantic serio-comic outing, and it may surprise many, but both Hope and Lucille Ball show their serious acting chops here (she was nominated for a Golden Globe). There's great chemistry between Hope and Ball. And the supporting cast -- Ruth Hussey, Don DeFore, Philip Ober, and (believe it or not a restrained) Louis Nye do nicely, too, although this film belong solely to Hope and Ball.
As to the plot, it's somewhat realistic. A man and woman, both married and in the same social group, are drawn together and have a rather low-key fling. While there is humor in many of the situations, this is probably a bit more on the dramatic side overall.
I was a little disappointed at first that this 1960 film was in black and white, but the print I watched on TCM was in excellent condition and it seemed like quality cinematography.
If you're expecting this to be a laugh-out-loud film, you'll be disappointed. But the films value is in solid acting by the two stars and an overall realistic script. Recommended.
And, this film is quite good. It's not a laugh out loud comedy. More a romantic serio-comic outing, and it may surprise many, but both Hope and Lucille Ball show their serious acting chops here (she was nominated for a Golden Globe). There's great chemistry between Hope and Ball. And the supporting cast -- Ruth Hussey, Don DeFore, Philip Ober, and (believe it or not a restrained) Louis Nye do nicely, too, although this film belong solely to Hope and Ball.
As to the plot, it's somewhat realistic. A man and woman, both married and in the same social group, are drawn together and have a rather low-key fling. While there is humor in many of the situations, this is probably a bit more on the dramatic side overall.
I was a little disappointed at first that this 1960 film was in black and white, but the print I watched on TCM was in excellent condition and it seemed like quality cinematography.
If you're expecting this to be a laugh-out-loud film, you'll be disappointed. But the films value is in solid acting by the two stars and an overall realistic script. Recommended.