Bright screwball comedy, one of the best from Universal during this period. It’s got a strong central idea – millionaire Rock Hudson is unaware his Italian house is being used as a hotel when he’s not there – plus several subplots: the assistant running the hotel (Walter Slezak); a visiting group of American girls who are staying there, including a psychiatry student (Sandra Dee) who thinks that Hudson is crazy; Hudson’s mistress being engaged to someone else (Gina Lollobrigida); some young boys turn up (led by Bobby Darin). Act two drops the hotel idea (to be frank I couldn’t think of more mileage in it) and consists of Hudson protecting the virtue of Dee and Co. from Darin and co, despite his hypocrisy over not marrying Lollobrigida. Act Three Lollobrigida gets jacked off and tries to leave Hudson.
It’s basically a generation gap comedy – Hudson vs Darin and his obnoxious mates – but because this as the early 60s, it’s Hudson who wins (he can even out-drink them). Hudson is very good – his looks of confusion are hilarious as are his slow burns with Darin and his friends. (His dancing is also funny.) Dee and Lollobrigida are good value too, as is Walter Slezak. Darin isn’t bad in his debut – he sings a song (one of his own) and composed the extremely catchy theme tune.
Pretty Italian scenery. The last twenty minutes drag a bit – it’s a shame they couldn’t have wrapped it up quicker.
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