come september

the year: 1961

the genre: comedy


the cast: Rock Hudson (Robert L. Talbot); Gina Lollobrigida (Lisa Helena Fellini); Sandra Dee (Sandy Stevens); Bobby Darin (Tony)


the plot: Wealthy, industrialist playboy Robert Talbot arrives early for his annual vacation at his luxurious Italian villa to find three problems lying in wait for him. First, his long-time girlfriend Lisa Fellini has given up waiting for him to pop the question and has decided to marry another man. Second, the major domo of his villa has turned the estate into a posh hotel to make some easy money while the boss isn't around. And finally, the current guests of the "hotel" are a group of young American girls trying to "fend off" a gang of American boys, led by Tony, who are 'laying siege' at the outer walls of the villa. Talbot, to his own surprise, finds himself becoming an overprotective chaperone.


don't miss: "Multiplication" as sung by Bobby Darrin.


listen for: "Mr Clavell!" "Sir?" "You are to go with them and you are not to let those girls out of your sight." "Sir, I can't ride a motor scooter." "Then learn." "I have no sense of balance. I was the only child that ever had to be strapped to his tricycle."


did you know: Bobby Darrin and Sandra Dee met during the filming of this movie. They were married not long after the film wrapped.


also listen for: "Where do you live?" "[broken English] Saus-a-lito." "And where is that near?" "San Fran-sis-co." "I am very stu-pid. But I'm loads of fun."



You can watch the movie in parts, starting here.

that funny feeling

the year: 1965

the genre: comedy


the cast: Sandra Dee (Joan Howell); Bobby Darin (Tom Milford); Donald O’Connor (Harvey Granson); Nita Talbot (Audrey); Larry Storch (Luther); Leo G. Carroll (Mr. O’Shea, the pawnbroker)


the plot: Joan Howell, a pretty maid-for-hire, meets and begins dating wealthy New York City businessman Tom Milford. Embarrassed about taking him back to the tiny apartment she shares with her roommate Audrey, Joan takes Tom to a fancy apartment that she cleans on a daily basis not knowing that it's his place. Tom plays along with the charade despite not knowing who Joan really is, especially at the insistence of his friend Harvey – who is hiding his priceless paintings at Tom’s house so his wife’s divorce lawyers won’t include them in the alimony equation.


count: how many wing-ding parties are held in Mr. Milford’s apartment.


don’t miss: the supporting characters – Audrey, Audrey’s boyfriend Luther, and Mr. O’Shea.


check out: the bartenders. Slightly reminiscent of I’d Rather Be Rich.


listen for: “This is the girl who took my place.” “Well, what's she doing in my place?” “She won't let me in my place so I had to call your place my place.”


extra bonus points: if you can name the other two movies in which Darin and Dee co-starred.