A TICKLISH AFFAIR
US, 1963, 88 minutes. Colour.
Shirley Jones, Gig Young, Red Buttons, Carolyn Jones, Edgar Buchanan.
Directed by George Sydney.
A Ticklish Affair is the fluffiest of romantic comedies from the 1960s – in the vein of a number of Doris Day films of the period.
The slight plot involves a widow with three young boys – with one of them sending an SOS from their home and it being picked up by various ships in the navy. The commander arrives to take charge of the situation. He is played by Gig Young. Within the brief running time, the romance begins almost immediately, his saying he didn’t want to marry and have children but very quickly endearing himself both to Shirley Jones and to the three boys. There is a slight hiccup when Shirley Jones’ brother, played with comic enjoyment by Red Buttons, seems to indicate that he has a relationship with Shirley Jones and Gig Young is apprehensive. However, everything is soon back on track, dates, outings, playing with the boys. However, the commander wants to be transferred to Italy – and there is some tension but a happy ending. Carolyn Jones appears as the sister-in-law and Edgar Buchanan as the father-in-law.
Shirley Jones had been successful with Oklahoma and Carousel and received an Oscar for Elmer Gantry. This film, with its sitcom style, indicates how successful she would be with The Partridge Family.
The film was directed by George Sidney, child actor who became a veteran at MGM with a range of films from Anchors Aweigh to Scaramouche and Young Bess, Kiss Me Kate. His final film was Half a Sixpence with Tommy Steele.
1. The light romantic comedies of the 60s? Sitcom style? Continued popularity?
2. The bright colour, the American city, homes, the navy? The world of television series? The musical score?
3. The opening, the SOS, Amy and her fixing the sink, the commander arriving, the revelation about the boys? Her primping herself up? The boys and their immediate response to the commander, his fixing the sink?
4. Uncle Cy, his arrival, pilot, bond with his sister, with the nephews, teasing the commander? His friendship with Tandy? His presence, helping with the resolution?
5. Tandy, calling in, her advice to Amy? Her friendship with Cy? Her promoting the relationship between Amy and the commander?
6. The father-in-law, the navy, his bond with his grandchildren? With Amy?
7. The outings, the romantic talk? The commander and his skills in the navy? His jealousy of Cy? His relief when it was settled? The proposal? Amy and her response? Amy wanting to settle down having been an navy brat, wanting the children to have a home?
8. The resolution, the weather balloons, the need for having a father figure in the family? Romance and the happy ending?
