SEX AND THE SINGLE GIRL

US, 1964, 114 minutes, Colour.
Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood, Henry Fonda, Lauren Bacall, Leslie Parrish, Edward Everett Horton, Mel Ferrer, Fran Jeffries, Stubby Kaye.
Directed by Richard Quine.

A pleasant if a inconsequential sex farce comedy, sixties' style. Its strength is in its stars, although they have done this kind of material quite often. Lauren Bacall and Henry Fonda are particularly strong stars for supporting roles. There is a very humorous opening with Edward Everett Horton.

However, the film eventually turns into a farce of mistaken identity and rather elaborate car chases. It is interesting to note that one of the co-writers of the screenplay is Catch 22 author Joseph Heller. Music is bright and by Neal Hefti, who wrote The Odd Couple and Barefoot In The Park. Director Richard Quine has made a lot of pleasant entertainments including a number of films with Jack Lommon and Kim Novak. Bell Book & Candle, The Notorious Landlady.

1. The perennial appeal of sex and marital farce comedy? The tradition of the thirties' screwball comedy, sentiment and traditional values, permissive touches?

2. The growing frankness and openness of the sixties? The title? Magazines and books? Helen Gurley Brown's books and articles? Trends? Impact then, now? The satirical touch of the screen play especially with the chief's satiric opening with the work of the magazine?

3. The glossy style of the film? Neal Hefti's music, song? The strength of the cast?

4. The conventions of the genre? Hero and heroine, older married couple, work in the office, other girls? Types? Marital mixups, deceptions? Farcical situations? The lack of originality of the plot - but audience expectations of this kind of entertainment?

5. The background of open discussion about sex in the sixties, the potential for scandal and magazines capitalising on this? Traditional American values? The place of sex surveys in America? Psychology? Hypocrisy and double values? Big business?

6. Natalie Wood and Tony Curtis in this style of comedy? Helen and her prim style, sure of herself? her writing, her refusal to interview Bob, her clients, Bob coming under a false name? Her theoretical approach to things? Rudy and his advances? The gradual falling in love with Bob? The contact with Sylvia and the mixup with the three Sylvias? A put-upon heroine?

7. Tony Curtis in wolf style as Bob? His work for Stock Magazine, his infiltrating himself, confidence in himself, wanting a scoop? His cynicism as regards Helen? His using Frank's name, the humour of the sessions? His gradual change? His organising Gretchen and Susan to be Sylvia? His comeuppance and change of heart?

8. Frank and Sylvia - the traditional older couple, values? The friendship with Bob? Their being used? The build-up to the clash? Sylvia fighting Frank? Lauren Bacall and the acidity of her style?

9. Rudy and his place as a doctor, his devotion to Helon? Gretchen and her ambitions to be a singer, the audition, her willingness to pose an Sylvia, her devotion to Bob? Susan and her work an secretary? The mixups?

10. The length of film given to the chases? How well executed were they? The policey the cabbies? Frantic American farce?

11. The perennial issues of male-female relationships, the battle of the sexes? The traditional values explored and promoted?