THE GRASS IS GREENER

US, 1960, 104 minutes, Colour.
Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Robert Mitchum, Jean Simmons.
Directed by Stanley Donen.

The Grass is Greener is entertaining froth. It is attractive because of its stars and their suave presentation of romantic themes. It is written by Hugh Williams, who has written quite a number of English drawing-room comedies. The direction is by Stanley Donen who had made his mark with musicals like On The Town and Singin' In the Rain with Gene Kelly in the early fifties. In the late fifties he moved to this kind of comedy with Indiscreet. He was then to go on to make such crime thrillers as Charade and Arabesque as well as such comedies as Bedazzled. In the seventies he made a variety of films from Lucky Lady to The Little Prince.

1. The appeal of this kind of romantic comedy? The light touch? A ladies' film?

2. The lush style? Colour, wide screen, décor, the stars?

3. Was it evident that the film was based on a stage play? Did the film make adequate transition in staginess? The set scenes, the use of the various sets, especially the Rhyall home? The dialogue and its British wit? The importance of the credits and Noel Coward's satirical song?

4. The title and the indication of theme, the light irony?

5. How well did the film achieve the British style of comedy of manners? The performances, accents, British dialogue? Wit? Characters such as the butler? The intrusion of the American world into the British world? The comedy of the innocent American abroad in Europe? The modern touches, the atmosphere of wealth? How can the audience identify with characters and situations? Or is this a glossy fantasy world?

6. The world of the Rhyalls? Their wealth, their home, the tours? The quality of the marriage? The bonds between them? The types portrayed by Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr in their own style? How much of the success of the film depended on this/

7. Robert Mitchum within this atmosphere? How strong a character was Charles Delacro - his explanation of himself, wealth American attitudes in England, a tourist? His intrusion into the household? His push, his purpose in making advances to Hilary?

8. How attractive a character was Hilary? Her response to Charles? Her deception and the impact of the week in London? Charles and his talk with Victor, the clash, the fake duel and the implied mock heroism?

9. The importance of Hattie dramatically, comically? The erratic Englishwoman? Her dialogue, prattling? Her faux pas?

10. How satisfactory was the resolution? The flirting with infidelity? The reaffirmation of traditional values about marriage?

11. Why do such light-serious treatments of human issues appeal for entertainment? Audience identification with final decisions?