HOW DO I LOVE THEE?

US, 1970, 109 minutes, Colour.
Jackie Gleason, Maureen O'Hara, Shelley Winters, Rick Lenz, Rosemary Forsyth.
Directed by Michael Gordon.

How Do I Love Thee is a star vehicle for Jackie Gleason at the end of the '60s. He teams pleasingly with Maureen O'Hara. Rick Lenz is his philosophy professor son. Shelley Winters has a guest role as an amorous artist.

The film focuses on a married couple, their struggles - especially with religion. The father has to reassess his influence on his son.

The film is done in comic and romantic style. Direction is by Michael Gordon (Cyrano de Bergerac, Pillow Talk). It plays something like a situation comedy - the dialogue is an unusual blend of romance and religion. Enjoyment will depend on response to the cast.

1.Entertaining story of a family? Comedy? Romance? Philosophy and religion?

2.The American household, the ordinary suburban way of life? The glimpses of Lourdes? Musical score? Songs within the narrative - their comment?

3.The title, the quotation from Elizabeth Barrett Browning - and the many ways of love?

4.Jackie Gleason as Stanley: the introduction to him at Lourdes, with his wife, the son's comment, his illness, his refusal to talk to his son? The flashbacks putting him in perspective? The strong man, the atheist, rationalist? Discussions with his wife and son, explaining everything rationally? His work as a removalist? His partner? Happiness at home, tensions? His wife commenting on raising voices? His moving the furniture for Miss Marvin, attracted to her, posing for her, getting his son out of the way, the visits - the affair? His love for his wife, exasperation? His son growing up? College, success, professorship? Meeting Marian and falling in love? Father's influence, discussions? The religious background - the revival meetings? The announcement about the end of the world, the fireworks explosion, his prayer, being found out? His regrets about his son's not getting the job and his bargain with God? The death of the professor? His vow not to speak to his son? Going to Lourdes, his illness? The irony of the cause, his recovery? Credible portrait of a husband and father?

5.Elsie, Maureen O'Hara's presence and style? Old-fashioned, prim, loving? Care for her son? The religious arguments? The revival meetings, the end of the world and prayer? Her explanation of what she wanted in the relationship? Son growing up, his job, Marion, the loss of the job? The funeral of the professor and Stanley not speaking? The visit to Lourdes? Puzzle about his silence? The reconciliation?

6.Tom, the importance of the voice-over and the young man trying to analyse his father? The fight with Marion and his decision to go? His prospects at college? His memories as a boy, admiring his father, going with him on the job, the encounter with Miss Marvin? The friends? Going to the religious services? The end of the world and his thinking the second coming was happening? Growing up, philosophy and his own lectures? His different technique, relationship with students, his ogling Marion, his romantic imagination? Their getting married? Going to Lourdes, the puzzle at the funeral with his father, finding out the truth, reconciliation? Marion as student, in love with Tom, courtship, marriage, job prospects, her uncle? The fight, going to Lourdes, her pregnancy?

7.Shelley Winters as Miss Marvin - a guest role, getting the piano moved, taking all the photographs, buxom and attractive, her artwork, luring Stanley, his posing, the liaison, the end of the liaison and her going off?

8.The background of the suburban life, the work of the removalist, college students, classes, Lourdes?

9.A blend of comedy, romance, portrait of relationships, religion?