Clifton Webb is one of my favorite actors and I try to see everything he's been in--which isn't that hard because he didn't make that many films. Unfortunately, this is one of the least interesting films and performances he's given. Instead of the usually smug and erudite man (such as in his "Belvedere" films or "Laura") or this befuddled man (such as "Mr. Scoutmaster"), here is is amazingly bland--too bland and as a result the film was a pleasant bu rather bland affair.
In addition to Webb, the film has a couple other stars that it fails to make the most of in the film--Paul Henreid and Jane Wyman. Henreid does the most of his role and was actually pretty convincing as a Brazilian. As for Wyman, the blandness of her role made the blandness of Webb's seem not as bad by comparison. Frankly, I think anyone could have played her part.
The film begins with a college student (Jill St. John) leaving to go on a tour of South America to hone her sculpting skills. Her parents (Webb and Wyman) decide to see her and they bring their youngest (Carol Lynley) along for the ride. There they find that their oldest is planning on getting married--and they think it's to Henreid (who is way too old for her). But, when they find that she's marrying Henreid's son, Webb is even less pleased, as the young man is a rather obnoxious bohemian. He also learns that his youngest just met an airman (Gary Crosby) and wants to marry him! With both daughters wanting to so impulsively marry men they hardly know, Webb is worried....and Wyman just sits there. In fact, she plays the part of a zombie very well, as she seems to have almost no personality--at least until near the end of the film.
The bottom line is that this is a beautiful and glossy film with hardly any substance. While it's very watchable, it sure should have been a lot better and more interesting...and it could have used a serious infusion of humor. In many ways it reminds me of "Three Coins in a Fountain" (a similar Webb film) but far less interesting.
Oh, and at first I didn't even recognize St. John--as here she has dark brown hair and not her usual red.
In addition to Webb, the film has a couple other stars that it fails to make the most of in the film--Paul Henreid and Jane Wyman. Henreid does the most of his role and was actually pretty convincing as a Brazilian. As for Wyman, the blandness of her role made the blandness of Webb's seem not as bad by comparison. Frankly, I think anyone could have played her part.
The film begins with a college student (Jill St. John) leaving to go on a tour of South America to hone her sculpting skills. Her parents (Webb and Wyman) decide to see her and they bring their youngest (Carol Lynley) along for the ride. There they find that their oldest is planning on getting married--and they think it's to Henreid (who is way too old for her). But, when they find that she's marrying Henreid's son, Webb is even less pleased, as the young man is a rather obnoxious bohemian. He also learns that his youngest just met an airman (Gary Crosby) and wants to marry him! With both daughters wanting to so impulsively marry men they hardly know, Webb is worried....and Wyman just sits there. In fact, she plays the part of a zombie very well, as she seems to have almost no personality--at least until near the end of the film.
The bottom line is that this is a beautiful and glossy film with hardly any substance. While it's very watchable, it sure should have been a lot better and more interesting...and it could have used a serious infusion of humor. In many ways it reminds me of "Three Coins in a Fountain" (a similar Webb film) but far less interesting.
Oh, and at first I didn't even recognize St. John--as here she has dark brown hair and not her usual red.