A GUIDE FOR THE MARRIED MAN
US, 1967, 91 minutes, Colour.
Walter Matthau, Inger Stevens, Robert Morse, Sue Anne Langdon, Lucille Ball, Art Carney, Jack Benny, Polly Bergen, Joey Bishop, Sid Caesar, Wally Cox, Jayne Mansfield, Carl Reiner, Phil Silvers, Jeffrey Hunter, Terry- Thomas, Ben Blue.
Directed by Gene Kelly.
A Guide for the Married Man is one of those risqué, trendy sex comedies of the mid-60s - signalling the emerging of more open approach to questions and depictions of sexuality. However, the treatment is satirical and comical, especially with the stars and the huge range of guest appearances. The film was directed by Gene Kelly.
Walter Matthau carries the film (a. bit similar to his appearance in Secret Life of an American Wife). Robert Morse makes a cheeky appearance (The Loved One, How to Succeed in Business). The range of guests includes Lucille Ball, Art Carney, Terry- Thomas, Jayne Mansfield, Phil Silvers, Jack Benny, Carl Reiner.
The film looks somewhat dated from the perspective of later decades - and has the touch of crassness. However, it is meant to be a humorous (if finally moralising) fantasy of the married man.
1. Enjoyable comedy? '60s? Risqué? Suggestive? Satirical? Moralising?
2. American locations: the family house, the street, work? The fantasy worlds? The world of motels and assignations? Musical score - especially the jaunty theme song?
3. The title and its irony? As offered by Ed? As understood by Paul? As illustrated by the guest stories?
4. The focus on Paul as the married man, Walter Matthau's style? His love for his wife? At work? His roving eye - all the women in the street, at work? Friendship with Ed, discussions? Listening to Ed's advice -and the stories? Trying things out, the devotion of Ruth? His bad back, going off for the night, pretence?, Coaching by Ed? The rehearsal and devices - the shirt in the chocolate box? The build-up, the client, inviting her out, Ed being caught and his hurrying home? His trying to visit the clubs and their being raided? Being satisfied with his wife and family?
5. Ed and his advice, affairs, philosophy of loving his wife and yet deceiving her? Coaching Paul - and the collage of their activities, his advice, the stories? Meeting Terry-Thomas? in the sauna? The coaching, the rehearsals? His finally being caught?
6. Ruth and her devotion, at home, the perfect wife and mother? Concern about Paul? The friends, the barbecues? Her concern about Paul's back? The final sequence? Harriet and her love for Ed, family life?
7. The sexy neighbour, Paul's roving eye, the meetings, being discovered in the club? The irony of her being caught with Ed?
8, The fantasy sequences: Lucille Ball and Art Carney as the couple, her cooking, his arguing, going out and dating, the phone call reconciliation? Wally Cox as the shy man breaking out? The man in the cab and the tyre running over his coat? The collage of one-liners by the various stars e.g. Jeffrey Hunter? Carl Reiner as the movie star and the round-the-world trouble for the assignation and then being caught? Polly Bergen and her husband? Terry- Thomas and Jayne Mansfield and the search for the bra in the bed, his premature greying and worry? Phil Silvers and his quick thinking in getting the man to pretend to be a detective? Jack Benny and his meanness with money in getting rid of his girlfriend?
9. A comedy of the '60s? The male fantasy?
