BOEING, BOEING

US, 1965, 102 minutes, Colour.
Tony Curtis, Jerry Lewis, Dany Saval, Suzanna Leigh, Thelma Ritter.
Directed by John Rich.

Boeing Boeing is a humorous sex farce, very similar to the old fashioned style of Feydeau but updated to the jet age; hence the title. A journalist juggles his timetable to able to live with three air hostesses. Tony Curtis in the mid 1960s was at home with this kind of suave playboy role. He is supported by Jerry Lewis in what was really Lewis' only straight role. There is some comedy by Thelma Ritter. The direction was by television director John Rich, who made such films as Wives and Lovers. Distinguished writer Edward Anhalt adapted the play by Marc Camoletti. Typical of the sex comedies of the time.

1. The significance and emphasis of the title, indications of comic themes? The quality of the film as a comedy?

2. What is the perennial appeal of farce, bedroom comedy, mistaken identities, comic quick pace? How good an example of this kind of farce was this film?

3. The quality of the comedy, colour, Paris settings, the modern apartments, airports, press agencies?

4. The appeal of Tony Curtis and Jerry Lewis? Their individual styles, their blend for the success of this comedy?

5. How credible was the plot? Did this matter? The comic aspects of the plot, the moralizing aspects?

6. How did the film question traditional morality, while keeping traditional morality as its base? Did it have double values?

7. The picture of the set-up, Bernard's handling of it? His timetables, quick changes, furniture and meals, his patter about what was going on? The particular qualities of Bernard's personality, strengths and weaknesses? The typical American male? His attitude towards himself, towards women? Selfish and hedonistic?

8. Bertha's contribution to the apartment? The comedy style, her age and hard work, the meals and the criticism of her work? The strength of the comedy in Thelma Ritter's performance?

9. The personalities of the three girls? Their characters, infatuation with Bernard, their nationalities and national traits, the air firms for which they worked? Their pride in their work etc.?

10. The importance of Robert's intrusion into this world? His amazement, his using it, the detective agency to get the flat etc.?

11. The humour of the Boeings and the development of their speeds

12. The farcical situation and mistaken identities within the 1 apartment, the meals, the car chases? How satisfactory was the humour?

13. How satisfying was the resolution? Traditional morality prevailing?

14. What is the universal appeal of this kind of comedy?