THE TENDER TRAP is part of the Frank Sinatra collection from his "golden years" and first time out on DVD. While quite "stagey" (after all it WAS a stage play), it's quite enjoyable and in todays world "quite improbable". First, a young actress gets a lead role in a show in an instant and isn't even excited about it!! What??? She has designs on marriage instead. Then why try to get into a long running show? Oh well, that's the only way theatrical agent, SINATRA, could meet her I guess. Even though the lead character is a playboy with lots of girlfriends, it all seems so G-rated. If made today, well, heaven knows what sex acts, foul language and nudity would prevail. SINATRA was made for the role of Charlie. DEBBIE REYNOLDS is cute in an un-defined role. The real scene stealer is CELESTE HOLM and a cute bit by CAROYLN JONES. SINATRAS buddy played by David WAYNE was a bit annoying, but WAYNE does a good job non-the-less. Good use of the CinemaScope process works good here, even though all scenes are interiors with one weird outdoor process shot. Rent this one as it's SINATRA in his prime. Now Paramount should release JOKER IS WILD and COME BLOW YOUR HORN and MGM/UA should release NOT AS A STRANGER. That would make about 90% of SINATRA on DVD.
Review of The Tender Trap
