A lot of cute fun with some wonderful moments. Sandra Dee is adorable and Bobby Daren is even better. The actress who plays Dee's mother, Micheline Presle, is the highlight of the film. Just like in Molly Hewitt's contemporary humor book "Men Are Dogs: In the Best Possible Sense!", she advises her daughter that if you think of a man as a completely different species from women (i.e. that they're dogs) then you will understand why they behave very differently from women. But the point of both the movie and the book, it's okay, men and women just aren't the same thing, and it's the little differences that are so funny. And if you haven't seen "Beyond the Sea" check it out. It's the Bobby Darin bio pic that will be in theaters soon.
26 Reviews
Unique twist to a good comedy-romance
SimonJack1 May 2016
"If a Man Answers" is a nice comedy-romance that stars two of the most promising new actors from the late 1950s. Sandra Dee and Bobby Darrin had each won a Golden Globe as the most promising newcomer to film. She for her role as Evelyn Leslie in "Until They Sail" of 1957, and he for his role as Tony in "Come September" of 1961. Dee also was in the latter film, and the couple was married by then. This is one of three films they made together while married (1960-67).
This film has a very good plot and script. Darin and Dee play newlyweds, Eugene and Chantal. Micheline Presle and John Lund are very good and funny as her parents, John and Germaine Stacy. Cesar Romero is very funny in his short supporting role as Eugene's father, Adam Wright, who poses as Robert Swan, a fictitious love interest of Chantal (and of her mother in days gone by). The plot has a unique aspect, but to tell more would give it away. It's hilarious. Darin sings two songs with the title and credits of this film.
This is a film that most people should enjoy for the plot, the characters and the acting. Darin's songs add some flavor and a touch of nostalgia.
Darin will be remembered much longer for his great musical talent. He composed music, wrote songs and had a voice that made him one of the great male singers of the 20th century. But for his early death in 1973, Darin likely would have given us many more hit songs and memorable tunes. Can anyone hear "Mack the Knife" being sung and not picture Darrin singing the song that topped the charts in 1959? It continues to be played and heard in movie soundtracks, on radio, and in other venues well into the 21st century. Among his other hit songs were, "Beyond the Sea," "Splish Splash," "Dream Lover," "Let's Fall in Love," and "One for My Baby."
Darin and Dee's marriage may have been ideal at the start, but it ended in 1967.
Darin died at age 37 after open-heart surgery on Dec. 20, 1973. He had severe rheumatic fever as a child, and wasn't expected to live beyond his teens. Only late in his life and after his death did much of his background become public. Not even he had known that the woman whom he thought was his older sister, Nina, was actually his mother; and that Polly, whom he thought was his mother was really his grandmother. He learned the truth from Nina just five years before he died.
Darin was born Walden Robert Cassotto, May 14, 1936, in East Harlem, New York City. His name was that of his mother and maternal grandparents. Nina became pregnant with him in the summer of 1935 when she was 17. Out of wedlock births in those days were very scandalous, and the family wouldn't consider an illegal abortion. So, they moved a few blocks and Polly passed Bobby off as her new son and brother of her teenage daughter Nina. Bobby's maternal grandfather was a gangster who died of pneumonia in prison a year before Darin's birth. Even after Nina told Bobby the truth about their relationship in 1968, she never revealed to him or anyone else who Darin's biological father was. While the family was poor, they were all close. Bobby's health suffered as a child, but he had a great singing voice, and he taught himself to play several instruments
Sandra Dee had come from a marriage that ended when she was five. She was born Alexandra Zuck in Bayonne, New Jersey in 1942. She was abused by her stepfather and was anorexic most of her life. She was driven by her mother who wanted her to become an actress. She was a model at age four and then an actress in TV commercials. She moved to Hollywood in 1957 and made her first film that year. She became well known and liked in her ingénue roles. Her movie career began waning after her marriage to Darin, and when they separated she became a recluse and alcoholic. She died of kidney disease on Feb. 20, 2005, at age 62.
Darin and Dee had one son, Dodd (born in 1961), who wrote a book in 1994 about his parents, "Dream Lovers: The Magnificent Shattered Lives of Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee." He also worked on films about his parents and Bobby's music. Kevin Spacey played Darin and Kate Bosworth played Dee in a 2004 biopic, "Beyond the Sea." Before that, PBS aired a 90-minute documentary in 1998, "Bobby Darin: Beyond the Song," and the A&E Biography series ran a 2001 episode, "Bobby Darin: I Want to Be a Legend." Darin had a popular TV show in 1973, "The Bobby Darin Show."
While both of these young stars of the mid-20th century had troubled childhoods and tragic ends, they made good marks on society and American culture. We would be missing something had they not been born.
This film has a very good plot and script. Darin and Dee play newlyweds, Eugene and Chantal. Micheline Presle and John Lund are very good and funny as her parents, John and Germaine Stacy. Cesar Romero is very funny in his short supporting role as Eugene's father, Adam Wright, who poses as Robert Swan, a fictitious love interest of Chantal (and of her mother in days gone by). The plot has a unique aspect, but to tell more would give it away. It's hilarious. Darin sings two songs with the title and credits of this film.
This is a film that most people should enjoy for the plot, the characters and the acting. Darin's songs add some flavor and a touch of nostalgia.
Darin will be remembered much longer for his great musical talent. He composed music, wrote songs and had a voice that made him one of the great male singers of the 20th century. But for his early death in 1973, Darin likely would have given us many more hit songs and memorable tunes. Can anyone hear "Mack the Knife" being sung and not picture Darrin singing the song that topped the charts in 1959? It continues to be played and heard in movie soundtracks, on radio, and in other venues well into the 21st century. Among his other hit songs were, "Beyond the Sea," "Splish Splash," "Dream Lover," "Let's Fall in Love," and "One for My Baby."
Darin and Dee's marriage may have been ideal at the start, but it ended in 1967.
Darin died at age 37 after open-heart surgery on Dec. 20, 1973. He had severe rheumatic fever as a child, and wasn't expected to live beyond his teens. Only late in his life and after his death did much of his background become public. Not even he had known that the woman whom he thought was his older sister, Nina, was actually his mother; and that Polly, whom he thought was his mother was really his grandmother. He learned the truth from Nina just five years before he died.
Darin was born Walden Robert Cassotto, May 14, 1936, in East Harlem, New York City. His name was that of his mother and maternal grandparents. Nina became pregnant with him in the summer of 1935 when she was 17. Out of wedlock births in those days were very scandalous, and the family wouldn't consider an illegal abortion. So, they moved a few blocks and Polly passed Bobby off as her new son and brother of her teenage daughter Nina. Bobby's maternal grandfather was a gangster who died of pneumonia in prison a year before Darin's birth. Even after Nina told Bobby the truth about their relationship in 1968, she never revealed to him or anyone else who Darin's biological father was. While the family was poor, they were all close. Bobby's health suffered as a child, but he had a great singing voice, and he taught himself to play several instruments
Sandra Dee had come from a marriage that ended when she was five. She was born Alexandra Zuck in Bayonne, New Jersey in 1942. She was abused by her stepfather and was anorexic most of her life. She was driven by her mother who wanted her to become an actress. She was a model at age four and then an actress in TV commercials. She moved to Hollywood in 1957 and made her first film that year. She became well known and liked in her ingénue roles. Her movie career began waning after her marriage to Darin, and when they separated she became a recluse and alcoholic. She died of kidney disease on Feb. 20, 2005, at age 62.
Darin and Dee had one son, Dodd (born in 1961), who wrote a book in 1994 about his parents, "Dream Lovers: The Magnificent Shattered Lives of Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee." He also worked on films about his parents and Bobby's music. Kevin Spacey played Darin and Kate Bosworth played Dee in a 2004 biopic, "Beyond the Sea." Before that, PBS aired a 90-minute documentary in 1998, "Bobby Darin: Beyond the Song," and the A&E Biography series ran a 2001 episode, "Bobby Darin: I Want to Be a Legend." Darin had a popular TV show in 1973, "The Bobby Darin Show."
While both of these young stars of the mid-20th century had troubled childhoods and tragic ends, they made good marks on society and American culture. We would be missing something had they not been born.
Wiles and stratagems
bkoganbing23 August 2017
If A Man Answers was another attempt by Universal to make husband and wife Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee their junior league Rock and Doris. This comedy has Sandra as a rich, but free spirit who marries professional photographer Bobby Darin. It's the story of their early days of marriage.
A girl's best friend is her mother and Sandra has Michelline Presle of France for a mother. Let's say she knows how to keep a man dangling, interested, and wanting more. Sandra was raised in both France and America and her father is Bostonian John Lund. Even raised in Boston Lund's learned a few tricks himself.
Bobby and Sandra had their followings back in the day, both individually and as a couple. Their marriage and divorce was followed as obsessively as those of Liz Taylor for a slightly older set. Neither remarried when the marriage broke up. It was true love apparently but of a combustible kind.
Cesar Romero has a key role in one of Dee's stratagems that Darin turns on her. He's as charming as ever.
Fans of Bobby, Sandra, and both will approve.
A girl's best friend is her mother and Sandra has Michelline Presle of France for a mother. Let's say she knows how to keep a man dangling, interested, and wanting more. Sandra was raised in both France and America and her father is Bostonian John Lund. Even raised in Boston Lund's learned a few tricks himself.
Bobby and Sandra had their followings back in the day, both individually and as a couple. Their marriage and divorce was followed as obsessively as those of Liz Taylor for a slightly older set. Neither remarried when the marriage broke up. It was true love apparently but of a combustible kind.
Cesar Romero has a key role in one of Dee's stratagems that Darin turns on her. He's as charming as ever.
Fans of Bobby, Sandra, and both will approve.
Delicious
sharlyfarley12 September 2003
This film, adapted from Winifred Wolfe's novel, has its moments and most of them are given to us by a very rare character in fifties comedies: an irresistibly attractive woman in her forties. Micheline Presle plays Sandra Dee's mother, and the dispenser of some delicious advice: Treat your husband like a dog. Sandy's taken aback, like everyone else, until Mother points out that dogs are treated with affection and respect - husbands often get neither. And then wives are surprised when they don't come home.
Oh, there are other pleasures - Dee and Darin are agreeable, and Stefanie Powers gets to be the bitchy girl friend. But Presle is such a joy, she's worth the price of a ticket.
Oh, there are other pleasures - Dee and Darin are agreeable, and Stefanie Powers gets to be the bitchy girl friend. But Presle is such a joy, she's worth the price of a ticket.
parents need to rein in the pressure on their offspring
lee_eisenberg20 February 2018
OK, so Henry Levin's "If a Man Answers" has a dated depiction of relations between men and women. But there was a scene early in the movie that informs us of a continuing problem: parents' excessive insistence that their children get married or do whatever. Does the older generation not realize that sometimes the younger one needs to take the time to figure out where it wants to go? There's a reason why large numbers of millennials are still single. Sandra Dee's earlier movie "A Summer Place" also looked at tension between the generations: she and Troy Donahue are in love, but their cold, spiteful, bigoted parents won't hear of it.
Like most of Sandra Dee's movies, this one is real eye candy. Enjoyable eye candy, I should say. The movie even goes so far as to mention sex education (much like how "A Summer Place" used the word sex). It's a safe bet that anyone who scorns it would praise it if it starred the overrated Doris Day. Dee - anorexic for much of her young adulthood due to her treatment by the studio execs - finally got the respect that she deserved when the Castro Theater in San Francisco hosted a retrospective of her movies, and she attended as guest of honor.
Like most of Sandra Dee's movies, this one is real eye candy. Enjoyable eye candy, I should say. The movie even goes so far as to mention sex education (much like how "A Summer Place" used the word sex). It's a safe bet that anyone who scorns it would praise it if it starred the overrated Doris Day. Dee - anorexic for much of her young adulthood due to her treatment by the studio execs - finally got the respect that she deserved when the Castro Theater in San Francisco hosted a retrospective of her movies, and she attended as guest of honor.
The haters need to lighten up
TCall20044 November 2007
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 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.
Don't "Hang Up" On This Fabulous Romantic Comedy!
Noirdame7927 January 2005
Warning: Spoilers
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!
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!
Doris Day+Dean Martin+defective cloning machine = If A Man Answers
MBunge19 May 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I can't decide which is more noteworthy about this film – how incredibly sexist it is, how incredibly provincial it is or how its two stars are so clearly inferior versions of other performers.
If A Man Answers is a romantic comedy about Chantal Stacy (Sandra Dee), the young daughter of a French mother and Boston father, and her eventual marriage to Eugene Wright (Bobby Darin), a New York City photographer who gives up his bachelor ways for his cute and spunky bride. Chantal starts out as the sort of hot-and-cold girl who dates lots of guys but never lets any of them get past first base. Her parents move to New York City, and even though she's theoretically a grown woman, Chantal tags along. In the city, she meets Eugene and latches onto him as "The One" for her. They're married in short order and the rest of the story focuses on Chantal's efforts to make Eugene into a better husband. First, she follows her mother's advice and literally tries to train Eugene like puppy. Then, following more of her mother's advice, she invents a lover to try and make Eugene jealous. But the comments of her passive-aggressive girlfriend Tina (Stephanie Powers) and the imaginary lover showing up in the flesh at her door send Chantal's plans quite awry.
Even for its era, this is a remarkably sexist movie. Not in a "women are stupid and can't do anything themselves" way, but in a "women's entire existence revolves around their men" way. The story proposes that there are only two phases to a woman's life 1. Land a husband.
2. Make him happy.
The idea the husband has anything of value to contribute to the marriage or has to take any responsibility for it is never even suggested. Eugene, frankly, acts like a complete ass at times, yet his bad behavior is accepted as perfectly normal for a married man. If you ever want to see what pre-feminist concepts of female empowerment were like, watch If A Man Answers. Both Chantal and her mother are portrayed as the ones who are really in charge of their families, but all their actions are subservient to the needs of their husbands. In a certain sense, they're more like social secretaries than wives. This film is also relentless in promoting marriage as the only appropriate and fulfilling destiny for a woman. The possibility a woman could find anything of value is a life without marriage is not just ignored, it's deliberately undermined.
This movie also reminds us how much bigger the world used to be. Chantal having a French mother is treated like the most amazing thing in the world, as though someone from a foreign country marrying an American is something that only happened once a century or so. And Chantal's mother Germaine (Micheline Presle) is portrayed as this wise guru on all things romantic. You know the old movie clichés about all American Indians being more in touch with the land or all Asians being good at karate? That's how this movie treats Germaine, like she's an alien from a more advanced culture who fell in love with one of the Earth natives and uses her sophisticated insight to bring joy and love to her family. She's like a cross between Cupid and Kaine from the TV show Kung Fu.
Finally, you can't watch If A Man Answers without noticing that its two lead performers are really knock offs of much bigger movie stars. Sandra Dee is obviously a copy of Doris Day. She's not a cheap copy, but she's definitely bargain priced. Bobby Darin, however, is what you would get if you took Dean Martin, sucked out most of his charm, talent and attractiveness and then shrunk him by about a foot. In fact, when Cesar Romero shows up in the story, he's not only more charming in every way but you can't help but observe that he could pick up Bobby Darin and use him as a toothpick. Darin may have been a very good singer and showman, but he's got no business starring in a motion picture. And while Dee is nice and all that in her own right, if you've ever seen a Doris Day movie you can't help but notice that Dee is a measurably less wonderful imitation.
If you can get past its, at times, jaw-dropping sexism and the fact that Bobby Darin is no good at all, If A Man Answers is a fairly pleasant relic from a bygone age. If you liked Doris Day's films, you'll enjoy this as the sincerest form of flattery.
If A Man Answers is a romantic comedy about Chantal Stacy (Sandra Dee), the young daughter of a French mother and Boston father, and her eventual marriage to Eugene Wright (Bobby Darin), a New York City photographer who gives up his bachelor ways for his cute and spunky bride. Chantal starts out as the sort of hot-and-cold girl who dates lots of guys but never lets any of them get past first base. Her parents move to New York City, and even though she's theoretically a grown woman, Chantal tags along. In the city, she meets Eugene and latches onto him as "The One" for her. They're married in short order and the rest of the story focuses on Chantal's efforts to make Eugene into a better husband. First, she follows her mother's advice and literally tries to train Eugene like puppy. Then, following more of her mother's advice, she invents a lover to try and make Eugene jealous. But the comments of her passive-aggressive girlfriend Tina (Stephanie Powers) and the imaginary lover showing up in the flesh at her door send Chantal's plans quite awry.
Even for its era, this is a remarkably sexist movie. Not in a "women are stupid and can't do anything themselves" way, but in a "women's entire existence revolves around their men" way. The story proposes that there are only two phases to a woman's life 1. Land a husband.
2. Make him happy.
The idea the husband has anything of value to contribute to the marriage or has to take any responsibility for it is never even suggested. Eugene, frankly, acts like a complete ass at times, yet his bad behavior is accepted as perfectly normal for a married man. If you ever want to see what pre-feminist concepts of female empowerment were like, watch If A Man Answers. Both Chantal and her mother are portrayed as the ones who are really in charge of their families, but all their actions are subservient to the needs of their husbands. In a certain sense, they're more like social secretaries than wives. This film is also relentless in promoting marriage as the only appropriate and fulfilling destiny for a woman. The possibility a woman could find anything of value is a life without marriage is not just ignored, it's deliberately undermined.
This movie also reminds us how much bigger the world used to be. Chantal having a French mother is treated like the most amazing thing in the world, as though someone from a foreign country marrying an American is something that only happened once a century or so. And Chantal's mother Germaine (Micheline Presle) is portrayed as this wise guru on all things romantic. You know the old movie clichés about all American Indians being more in touch with the land or all Asians being good at karate? That's how this movie treats Germaine, like she's an alien from a more advanced culture who fell in love with one of the Earth natives and uses her sophisticated insight to bring joy and love to her family. She's like a cross between Cupid and Kaine from the TV show Kung Fu.
Finally, you can't watch If A Man Answers without noticing that its two lead performers are really knock offs of much bigger movie stars. Sandra Dee is obviously a copy of Doris Day. She's not a cheap copy, but she's definitely bargain priced. Bobby Darin, however, is what you would get if you took Dean Martin, sucked out most of his charm, talent and attractiveness and then shrunk him by about a foot. In fact, when Cesar Romero shows up in the story, he's not only more charming in every way but you can't help but observe that he could pick up Bobby Darin and use him as a toothpick. Darin may have been a very good singer and showman, but he's got no business starring in a motion picture. And while Dee is nice and all that in her own right, if you've ever seen a Doris Day movie you can't help but notice that Dee is a measurably less wonderful imitation.
If you can get past its, at times, jaw-dropping sexism and the fact that Bobby Darin is no good at all, If A Man Answers is a fairly pleasant relic from a bygone age. If you liked Doris Day's films, you'll enjoy this as the sincerest form of flattery.
I want it!
bozoom17 April 2003
This is nothing but a "feel good" movie, and sometimes those are the very best kind to watch. I saw this movie years and years ago but haven't forgotton it. Why haven't they released it for home viewing yet? I want it on DVD...but I'd take it on VHS. I JUST WANT IT!!!!
Where's Elvis when you really need him?
ptb-813 November 2010
This lush Ross Hunter film of 1962 which attempts to patch together some BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S New York romantic sex comedy imagery and fashions (and scenes) along with a PILLOW TALK / LOVER COME BACK farce script almost succeeds in being enjoyable in 2011 by the fact it is well made. BUT and it is a massive BUT, it is miscast and relies on twee marriage drivel to put across some risqué (at the time) script and situations. Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin might have been a screen team du jour but are not of the calibre of actual adults. Had this been an Elvis Movie instead of Bobby Darin then we might have been in a soon to be classic 60s movie, as he would have the screen charisma Darrin lacks. Dee is fine fun and well dressed, her father the silly sort of role Eddie Albert plays better, and the art direction and set design terrific. But overall it is trite and sexist and really contrived. It is likable but you really have to be kind to it and accept the mentality of the time. The music has the foghorn sounds of forced farce and the silly xylophone tinkling of sitcoms like Bewitched, a TV show this precedes but points to. It gets some good sex talk across by the dubious method of having a French mother sexually prep her ripe daughter!
A delightfully funny movie
KYWES1 March 2003
Some people seem to have to trash any movie as if that's being a critic. This is a very fun movie to watch. Chantal's (Sandra Dee) marriage has become ho hum and her husband seems to be more interested in work, with models no less, then his new wife so Chantal sets out to renew the spark their relationship once had but she finds no success. Then her mother suggests a book on training a dog to her. At first Chantal is repulsed but having no success any other way why not give it a try. The result is a madcap, whirlwind comedy from the good old days with the tables being turned on Chantal and her mother. This movie isn't on video but if it ever airs on TV again don't miss it! You'll enjoy being entertained and won't even miss the shock content directors add these days. The movie is a film of the play by the same name. Don't miss it and don't let jaded psuedo-critics dissuade you from watching this fun movie with more then one insightful point to ponder.
Don't Hang Up!
Giac-38 December 1998
Find this movie AMAZON!!! if a man answers sandra dee
swissbaker16 February 2021
We have been looking for this movie for a number of years. Such a great and fun movie that beats a lot of the so called popular movies today. It has a great cast and a different storyline. I remember seeing this decades ago and still love it. I would buy a copy if anyone could find it. Surely Amazon could find it and convert it and make a nice chunk of money for a mid-century Rom-Com. It's golden!!
If Gidget had a sex-life...
moonspinner555 June 2002
Terminally coy and unsexy sex-farce, even more teasing than the popular Doris Day bedroom comedies from this era, has Sandra Dee married to photographer Bobby Darin, trying to make him jealous to get his mind off the models--later attempting to train him like a dog! Dee never warms up to the camera: she poses instead of acts, her heavily lipsticked mouth always puckered in surprise. Bobby Darin (Sandy's real-life husband) is looser and more involved with the audience, but he plays a stock character, the inattentive husband. Film doesn't even look good: the sets are cumbersome and the décor is tacky. Two Golden Globe nominations: Best Supporting Actor Cesar Romero and Best Motion Picture-Comedy. *1/2 from ****
First movie pairing of Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee
Dunham166 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Unknown Micheline Presle has a central role in this ensemble comedy playing five established stars - Bobby Darin, Sandra Dee, John Lund, Cesar Romero and Stefanie powers. The color print and the decor indicates this was filmed in New York in the 1960's making it a period piece The morality of th sixties dates this comedy about two couples trying to keep their relationship fresh only to be sucked into madcap slapstick in which the tables are turned. This was the first post code Hollywood era when male and female leads regularly did scenes in underwear but in this film only Sandra Dee and some small part ladies are photographed in lingerie. Brilliant and unpredictable it is fascinating except for those who find sixties movie morality dated.
Over the top, blatantly contrived silliness didn't work for me.
LarryBrownHouston14 January 2009
This movie didn't work for me on any level. The script is blatantly silly, corny, and contrived, with no pretensions of any kind of realism. Because of that you can't take it as a drama, and it's not funny enough for a comedy, so it's just amusing silliness. The overtly contrived, corny ending was just way too silly. Overall, this style of movie is over the top and therefore distasteful. It features explicit sexual references, a refreshing change from the Doris Day style goodie-goodie veneer that's really all sexual innuendo, but still falls flat having long since lost any shock value. Darin doesn't come across well, he just has no sizzle. Dee doesn't appeal to me, neither as cute, beautiful, funny, charming, nor talented. I like the wardrobe and the tiny waist. The chemistry between them didn't work for me. I didn't feel that they really liked or loved each other. Partly that's because of the ludicrous script and situations. The mom might have been OK but I couldn't get over the lame, almost not even there French accent. The script is crude, using obviously contrived devices to move so effortless among the plot points. They fall in love, marry, argue, and connive with the silliest motivations. The foghorn was ineffective and incomprehensible. Even on repeated play of the cartoon opening and pausing it to study and discuss it, I still feel that the meaning of the foghorn was not obvious enough. It might have been OK for then, but it's only good for nostalgia now.
Great Classic Kitsch
tackett-125 March 2003
If you love the lighthearted, romantic comedies of the 1960s, then you'll consider this one of the all time classics. In the same genre as the wonderful Doris Day movies of the same era, this will provide fun, wholesome viewing. A must-have for movie collectors of this time period!
"Look at me I'm Sandra Dee, lousy with..." - from the play "Grease"
Bernie44448 December 2023
Another great formula comic "misunderstood lover" movie from the 60's.
Chantal Stacy (Sandra Dee) half French and three quarters Bostonian is out to get herself a husband. Her victim is Eugene Wright (Bobby Darin). Once she is attached, she is having a hard time handling different marriage situations. With a little help from her mother and a book on training man's best friend it looks like she will have situation once more in hand.
However, as we suspect you cannot correct problems with the formula and the situation gets out of hand. As with most comedies we go way out into left field; will they be able to recognize each other's problems fixed this and live happily ever after or will Eugene Wright find himself in the doghouse?
Actually, you will find this movie to be quite fun and will want to repeat viewing for the nuances that were missed.
See these two again in "Come September" (1961).
Chantal Stacy (Sandra Dee) half French and three quarters Bostonian is out to get herself a husband. Her victim is Eugene Wright (Bobby Darin). Once she is attached, she is having a hard time handling different marriage situations. With a little help from her mother and a book on training man's best friend it looks like she will have situation once more in hand.
However, as we suspect you cannot correct problems with the formula and the situation gets out of hand. As with most comedies we go way out into left field; will they be able to recognize each other's problems fixed this and live happily ever after or will Eugene Wright find himself in the doghouse?
Actually, you will find this movie to be quite fun and will want to repeat viewing for the nuances that were missed.
See these two again in "Come September" (1961).
Unbelievably offensive film - POSSIBLE SPOILERS
Neal996 December 2004
Warning: Spoilers
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!
If a Man Answers is probably of interest to only Darin-Dee fans
tavm30 June 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Okay, before I review this movie, I have to complain about some of the pixelating messiness of some of the scenes. While I managed to rewind some scenes I had to skip because of this, I still wish I could have seen the whole movie proper. Even without those technical problems, I don't think I was too enamored of the story with Sandra Dee as a daughter of a French mother and a Boston-bred father having to get married soon so she can give up her gallivantin' ways. Then after she moves to New York, she meets Bobby Darin as a model photographer who wants her in his pictures. She'll only agree to them if he marries her. He does but doesn't want her in them anymore! The rest of the picture has Dee trying to get her husband to pay more attention to her instead of new model-and former friend-Stephanie Powers by using a dog manual to treat him like a pet and then using a "made up" former lover of her mom to get Darin jealous. The performances, from Sandra and Bobby-who's quite hilarious in the beginning-to Powers, John Lund and Micheline Presle as the parents, and Cesar Romero as the guy portraying Dee's "paramour" aren't bad but the whole thing just fell apart after the marriage. I think I would've preferred to see the real-life married couple at the time try to balance their careers with him trying to please both Dee and Powers in whatever demands they give him. As it is, I think I'd only recommend If a Man Answers if you want to see Dee and Darin on-screen together. P.S. The animation at the beginning was probably the best part of the picture. P.P.S. I've now seen the whole movie after wiping the back of the disc. While a little better and I'm upping my rating from 3 to 4, some of my material objections still stand.
Piquant exception
sharlyfarley19 July 2003
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.
Way too dated
HotToastyRag1 May 2021
This movie is so dated! The sole goal of Sandra Dee is to get married, and her mother spends all her energy teaching her how to hook an unsuspecting man by playing hard to get, lying, manipulating, and letting him think the proposal was all his idea. If he needs that much cajoling, maybe he doesn't really want to get married - maybe he'll be a lousy husband!
My prediction proves true. After Sandra Dee marries the womanizing photographer Bobby Darin, she turns into a cooking, cleaning housewife and expects marital bliss. But it isn't long before his head gets turned by a new model, Stefanie Powers. Sandra goes back to her mother for advice. Micheline Presle takes her aside for a gigantic secret: the one book every woman should read in order to have a good marriage forever. How to Train Man's Best Friend. I'm not kidding. The great secret every woman in 1962 should learn is to treat your husband like a puppy to be trained, and you'll be happy for life! Really, folks, avoid this movie unless you really love dated mindsets and still laugh at silly '60s sex jokes. It's not even fun to see Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee together, since they're squabbling the whole time. And if you're waiting for Cesar Romero to show up, since he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance, you'll have an extremely long wait on your hands. He's in the movie for about ten minutes, but they are the best ten minutes of the movie. The ending is quite funny, but you'll have a lot to suffer through to get to it.
My prediction proves true. After Sandra Dee marries the womanizing photographer Bobby Darin, she turns into a cooking, cleaning housewife and expects marital bliss. But it isn't long before his head gets turned by a new model, Stefanie Powers. Sandra goes back to her mother for advice. Micheline Presle takes her aside for a gigantic secret: the one book every woman should read in order to have a good marriage forever. How to Train Man's Best Friend. I'm not kidding. The great secret every woman in 1962 should learn is to treat your husband like a puppy to be trained, and you'll be happy for life! Really, folks, avoid this movie unless you really love dated mindsets and still laugh at silly '60s sex jokes. It's not even fun to see Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee together, since they're squabbling the whole time. And if you're waiting for Cesar Romero to show up, since he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance, you'll have an extremely long wait on your hands. He's in the movie for about ten minutes, but they are the best ten minutes of the movie. The ending is quite funny, but you'll have a lot to suffer through to get to it.
This type of plot, and the manipulation within it, should be dated in any era.
mark.waltz14 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Pouting is never attractive no matter who is doing it, and Sandra Dee pouts far too much here, having been manipulated by her mother into trying to trap a husband the same way that she did. "How to housebreak your husband"??? Are you serious? Treat your husband like a dog? Surprised that men weren't going their way after hearing this dialogue in 1962.
A girl's best friend isn't always her mother, and in the case of Sandra Dee, listening to mom Micheline Presle, she was better off listening to Constance Ford who told her in "A Summer Place" that you have to play a man like a fish. She's gone from Troy Donahue to real life husband Bobby Darin home she discovers after her mother encourages her to go out of her way to get married, and the marriage seems a flop from the start.
These two characters are far too immature for marriage and his eyes are on his career which means his eyes are on his models, especially her best friend, a young Stephanie Powers. Her eyes are being on the perfect way which is respectful, but the way she goes about it, having secret tantrums and not communicating, makes her appear like a petulant child. Obviously Dee isn't as clever or manipulative as her mother so she can't get Darin under her thumb as easily as mom does husband John Lund.
The dog training element has one funny moment when Dee sees Darin with his leg on a fire hydrant but other than that, it's a whimsical comedy with few laughs and plenty of eye-rolling moments. Where the film does well is in its art direction and location footage, but Darin singing the title song over the credits is one of the weakest opening themes ever. Cesar Romero manages to boost the film up a notch but he doesn't appear until briefly near the end. Presle is glamorous but her character is written as a passive / aggressive shrew. Easily forgettable and not one that I'll revisit.
A girl's best friend isn't always her mother, and in the case of Sandra Dee, listening to mom Micheline Presle, she was better off listening to Constance Ford who told her in "A Summer Place" that you have to play a man like a fish. She's gone from Troy Donahue to real life husband Bobby Darin home she discovers after her mother encourages her to go out of her way to get married, and the marriage seems a flop from the start.
These two characters are far too immature for marriage and his eyes are on his career which means his eyes are on his models, especially her best friend, a young Stephanie Powers. Her eyes are being on the perfect way which is respectful, but the way she goes about it, having secret tantrums and not communicating, makes her appear like a petulant child. Obviously Dee isn't as clever or manipulative as her mother so she can't get Darin under her thumb as easily as mom does husband John Lund.
The dog training element has one funny moment when Dee sees Darin with his leg on a fire hydrant but other than that, it's a whimsical comedy with few laughs and plenty of eye-rolling moments. Where the film does well is in its art direction and location footage, but Darin singing the title song over the credits is one of the weakest opening themes ever. Cesar Romero manages to boost the film up a notch but he doesn't appear until briefly near the end. Presle is glamorous but her character is written as a passive / aggressive shrew. Easily forgettable and not one that I'll revisit.
Vintage Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin.
TxMike26 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Saw it on DVD. Not very high quality picture and sound, but OK for an early 1960s movie.
Having seen "Beyond the Sea" last week, Kevin Spacey's tribute to Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee, watching this original with them in it was great fun.
They had only been married a short time in real life, and here Sandra Dee is still only 19 during filming, but seems so much more mature. If one sees Dee in a good cross-section of her roles, you find out that she was a much more accomplished actress than many credit her for.
This movie is very stereotyped. Dee's mother, originally from Paris, coaches her daughter on how to find and keep a husband. Even dad says "When are you going to get married?" A job change has them moving from Boston to Manhattan, and there she meets photographer Darin.
Mom's secret is to treat the husband as if he were a pet dog, and use the same training techniques. Old friend played by a very young Stephanie Powers creates some tension, but the movie is all comedy, nothing to be taken seriously, and very un-sexy even though there is a running romantic theme. I enjoyed it, for what it is, a 1960s comedy with two young talents.
Having seen "Beyond the Sea" last week, Kevin Spacey's tribute to Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee, watching this original with them in it was great fun.
They had only been married a short time in real life, and here Sandra Dee is still only 19 during filming, but seems so much more mature. If one sees Dee in a good cross-section of her roles, you find out that she was a much more accomplished actress than many credit her for.
This movie is very stereotyped. Dee's mother, originally from Paris, coaches her daughter on how to find and keep a husband. Even dad says "When are you going to get married?" A job change has them moving from Boston to Manhattan, and there she meets photographer Darin.
Mom's secret is to treat the husband as if he were a pet dog, and use the same training techniques. Old friend played by a very young Stephanie Powers creates some tension, but the movie is all comedy, nothing to be taken seriously, and very un-sexy even though there is a running romantic theme. I enjoyed it, for what it is, a 1960s comedy with two young talents.
Finally!
bizatchgirl9 November 2004
It has been long in coming but the movie is now out on DVD. I had found it before on VHS on ebay but it was going for $15 +. It looks like it's about $12 on DVD! I was lucky enough to have this recommended by a friend and watched her copy. I have looked through movie stores and even had one of the video rental stores order something with a similar title that turned out to be a B horror flick. Luckily they just put it on the shelf and didn't make me buy it. I can't wait to get the DVD and watch it again. I'm sure I've forgotten just how funny it is since I haven't seen it in about 8 years. They just don't make movies like this anymore. Sweet, wholesome fun.
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