Come September (1961)

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

"Come September" is a light comedy and romance that mixes two movie generations. The one, with Rock Hudson and Gina Lollobrigida, were stars for the baby boomer generation in its teens (1950s-1960s). The other, with Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee, represented those teens. Although, when this film was made, Darin and Dee were married (Dec. 1960). He was 25 years old and an established singing star and Dee already had a dozen movies behind her as a 19-year-old. In this film, they are both college students. Hudson plays a wealthy American, Robert Talbot, who spends a lot of time in Europe creating business mergers and other deals to build his empire. A few years earlier, he had bought a villa in Italy, and each September he retreats to his villa to relax. He has a local female love interest who looks forward to his annual retreats. Gina Lollobrigida plays Lisa Fellini. The movie was filmed at locations around Italy. The source of much of the humor in this film is Walter Slezak who plays Maurice Cavell, major domo of Robert's villa. When the cat is gone, the mice come out to play. And, Maurice turns the villa into a posh hotel for 11 months of the year. Guests staying there now include some young college girls. Among them is Sandy Stevens (Sandra Dee); and camping out nearby are some American college guys touring Europe. Bobby Darin is one of them – Tony. The film has some very funny scenes, and plenty of witty lines. Suffice it to say that the two generations clash at times, and the "older" folks pick up some pearls of wisdom from the younger ones. In the end, love triumphs, and Robert and Lisa tie the knot. I correctly guessed the last scene, which should give everyone a smile. This is a film that everyone should enjoy. Here are some sample lines of dialog. Robert, "Teenagers are like the H bomb. When they go off, it's better to observe them from a distance."Maurice, "She loves you. She wants to marry you." Robert, "Yeah, she has a funny way of showing it." Maurice, "Women are emotional, She's been hurt. She wants time to think." Robert, "Yeah, well, I want to go back to America where people get married without thinking."Lisa, "Why be miserable with someone you don't love? It's better to be miserable with someone you do love."

What a mixed up mess of an awful script, poor direction (surprisingly from Robert Mulligan), and a drearily, predictable and trite plot. Not too mention, the screenplay is condescendingly racist toward Italians.The movie's comedy fell completely flat and the entire production reveals such stereotypically sexist and patronizing attitudes toward women that I didn't know whether to throw up or toss the DVD into the waste basket.The only saving graces are the gorgeous cinematography of Italy, a warmly sympathetic performance from Gina Lollobrigida and the one dance scene with Rock Hudson and Lollobrigida which is about the only time Hudson comes across as anything other than unpleasant, self-satisfied, and stiff as a brick. Usually Hudson was appealing in these 1960s comedies, but this movie is a complete waste of time. Do yourself a favor & skip it!

Come September is a unique comedy, sparkling with the touch of the Italian summer, American opulence and oriental moods. A must see for people who love cinema and want to keep smiling. This escapist saga is about two people who are in love but cannot get married due to various reasons, the principal one being the hero's unpreparedness. Paradoxically, the time he really decides to tie the knot, he faces the most bizarre week of his life which leads to another September, god knows, how many more.The best part of the film is that it leaves a lot to the imagination, at at the same time guarantees that you go home feeling good, having spent some quality time. Icing on the cake is the beautiful Italian landscape , it evokes both a sense of grandeur and nostalgia, though Mulligan has ensured that the film does not become a tourist's guide to Portofino and Italian Riviera.The film is a showcase for Lollos beauty and pneumatic appeal and Rock's masculinity. Assistance in the form of the comic skills of Walter Slezak makes this film a laugh riot in the climactic scenes. This is Lollobrigida's biggest hit in the US and India, and deservedly so; Rock Hudson makes a great partner for her, much as he was doing in this early 60's era with Doris Day in many films.Childish it may be, Come September is loved even today. I have spent many afternoons viewing the film and admiring the Italian sun.. it acts as an relaxant in my otherwise busy work schedule

I have been fascinated by the theme song of Come September from my childhood.The film has actors Rock Hudson and Lollobrigida.I have heard this song theme numerous times and now would like to store it in my iPod.While I am unable to locate the DVD for the same as yet,I would at least like to view the clip of come September theme song in Video OR audio.Can somebody send me the same at my e mail address [email protected] I shall be greatly obliged. RegardsMukesh