THE MATING GAME
US, 1959, 96 minutes, Colour.
Debbie Reynolds, Tony Randall, Paul Douglas, Fred Clark, Una Merkel.
Directed by George Marshall.
It is surprising to find that The Mating Game is based on a novel by British writer H.E. Bates, ‘The Darling Buds of May’. This novel was adapted for British television during the 1990s with great success and a cast including Catherine Zeta- Jones. Other films from Bates’ novels include The Feast of July, The Purple Plain and A Month at the Lake.
The outline of the plot is fairly corny, when a tax consultant, played by Tony Randall who was emerging (especially in Doris Day comedies) as a lead and and as a comedian. Debbie Reynolds is the daughter of Paul Douglas who is being tax-investigated.
The film has some romantic touches – but is stuck in the 1950s in its plot and characterisation. It was directed by George Marshall, veteran director of many westerns including Destry Rides Again as well as a number of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis vehicles.
1. The significance and tone of the title? The song? The title of the original novel was the 'Darling Buds of May'? Was this better?
2. The film as an example of MGM film making in the late fifties? Typical American comedy, Cinemascope and colour?
3. The film as a Debbie Reynolds’s vehicle? Her style and its impact? The comedy styles of Tony Randall and Paul Douglas?
4, The comedy qualities of the films situation comedy, knockabout humour, farce? The appeal of these?
5. The American atmosphere of the film: its opening and the description of the house and property? The American rural atmosphere? The nice people being nice, the others being bad? The atmosphere of Government, taxes and patriotism? The serious outlook on American patriotism, the tongue-in-cheek attitudes?
6. The American themes of money and power? Friends and neighbours and marriage?
7. How enjoyable a family were the Larkins? The initial borrowing of the pig, borrowing from their neighbours? Pa Larkins and his trading? His philosophy of happiness? The details of their way of life? ]Their happiness in being content?
8. Dad and his type, the good honest American? Mum and her homespun humour? Their plans for getting their daughter married? The details for life at home? The children and the wholesome American kids? Mariette and her vivacity?
9. Bernshaw as the villain, his plot, his snobbish attitudes? His greed? The fact that be would not win?
10. The portrayal of Internal Revenue? their persecuting the innocent families?
11. Lorenzo as the hero? His efficiency, a clash of efficiency with his recognising people as human beings? How did he change? The farcical treatment he received from the family? The compromising fears that he had, the pressure from authorities? How realistic was the change in his person and character?
12. The handling of the ultimate crisis? The humour at the expense of the American government and American moneymaking? The appropriateness of the happy ending?
