Reviews

This was included in the first season of The ABC Movie of the Week launched in 1969. One of the series first tries at comedy, it's got a good cast, notably Eve Arden, who elevates every scene she's in. Bill Daily's character has some funny moments, as does Herb Edelman's. Elsa Lanchester is delightfully eccentric, and on a historical note this is one of the films that Ann Prentiss made in her heyday before darker times befell her. Elinor Donahue and Ruth Buzzi are also on hand as 2 of the wives "in name only". There are some amusing ideas floating around but not enough to really get it going. Episodic in that each couple has a story which unfolds around the premise. That helps it from bogging down more than it does, but overall it's just ok.

Poor Brenda Vaccarro is really in trouble as an office worker mistaken for the sought after Carlotta in this comedy/drama which showcases a capable cast including Roddy McDowall and Vincent Price (in an untypical low brow turn) as hoods and Jack Warden as the police detective who tries to help Brenda out of this mess. Joanne Worley as Brenda's confidante and Michael Learned as a thug also appear, as does Edmond O'Brien towards the end. A spunky performance from Vaccarro and all around likeable characters help this movie hold its interest until the satisfying conclusion. This was made as an ABC Movie of the Week.

I don't think The ABC Movie of the Week was generally as adept at comedies as they were with topical drama and thrillers, although there were exceptions, and this is one of them. Ted Bessell (That Girl) has separated from his wife and is harbored by his friends Larry Hagman and Lee Grant. They try to console him through his adjustment by Larry reintroducing him to the singles scene and fixing him up with a date, etc. This movie has some genuinely funny moments, as in Barbara Feldon taking Ted to an anger management class, Ted's recurrent use of John Philips Souza marching band music as a cheering mechanism, the bar scene, etc. The film boasts a cast of recognizable 70's faces that pull it together nicely.

We were pleasantly surprised at what a warm, witty romantic farce this turned out to be.

My first review ever, and it's free form. I can't say enough good things about this movie. It's real, the characters are fleshed out so well, the writing is clever, the acting right on the nose. De Niro is a real "go- getter" as Jackie, potential has been trying to make his way in a changing world. Brutally frank in his humor and unwilling to compromise his take on situations that loom up, it's a fine portrayal and one accompanied by a fine supporting cast. I know he spent years trying to get it made and I hope he doesn't feel disappointed over the box office. It's a real triumph in my eyes, I thoroughly enjoyed it, a film with much substance and humanity. By some of the other reviews I can see not everyone feels the same and it was this that, after all these years of reading reviews on the IMDb finally prompted me to write one of my own. Kudos! I loved it. Thank you for the joy it brought to me.