8/10
Delightful, breezy '50's comedy
22 February 2005
Warning: Spoilers
"The Tender Trap" is a snapshot of the '50's, where we've seen lots of cocktails, smoking, and light sexual repartee. It was based on the play "The Tender Trap", that had a short run during the 1954-55 Broadway season (It starred Kim Hunter, Ronnie Graham, Robert Preston and Joey Faye, repeating his role as Sol Schwartz). It was one of hundreds of light, fluff designed to appeal to the matinée and business man crowds, who just wanted some light-weight comedy.

In the film Frank Sinatra is ultra-smooth playing a character probably not too far removed from himself. Lots of beautiful dames, booze, and a good friend (played winningly by David Wayne) to keep him grounded. He seems to have the world on a string, moving throughout the day from one beauty to another.

Debbie Reynolds plays a singer/dancer who is reluctant to take a job in a Broadway show, because she plans to marry four months after the show has opened. Even though she has not met the man of her dreams yet.

Guess who it turns out to be. That's right, totally predictable. And the script is archaic in it's views about women and marriage, but who cares. It's all a lot of fun (especially Celeste Holm in a marvelous role).

Well worth the time for a viewing.

8 out of 10
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