If a Man Answers (1962)

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

If A Man Answers was another attempt by Universal to make husband and wife Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee their junior league Rock and Doris. This comedy has Sandra as a rich, but free spirit who marries professional photographer Bobby Darin. It's the story of their early days of marriage.A girl's best friend is her mother and Sandra has Michelline Presle of France for a mother. Let's say she knows how to keep a man dangling, interested, and wanting more. Sandra was raised in both France and America and her father is Bostonian John Lund. Even raised in Boston Lund's learned a few tricks himself.Bobby and Sandra had their followings back in the day, both individually and as a couple. Their marriage and divorce was followed as obsessively as those of Liz Taylor for a slightly older set. Neither remarried when the marriage broke up. It was true love apparently but of a combustible kind.Cesar Romero has a key role in one of Dee's stratagems that Darin turns on her. He's as charming as ever.Fans of Bobby, Sandra, and both will approve.

Saw it on DVD. Not very high quality picture and sound, but OK for an early 1960s movie.Having seen "Beyond the Sea" last week, Kevin Spacey's tribute to Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee, watching this original with them in it was great fun.They had only been married a short time in real life, and here Sandra Dee is still only 19 during filming, but seems so much more mature. If one sees Dee in a good cross-section of her roles, you find out that she was a much more accomplished actress than many credit her for.This movie is very stereotyped. Dee's mother, originally from Paris, coaches her daughter on how to find and keep a husband. Even dad says "When are you going to get married?" A job change has them moving from Boston to Manhattan, and there she meets photographer Darin.Mom's secret is to treat the husband as if he were a pet dog, and use the same training techniques. Old friend played by a very young Stephanie Powers creates some tension, but the movie is all comedy, nothing to be taken seriously, and very un-sexy even though there is a running romantic theme. I enjoyed it, for what it is, a 1960s comedy with two young talents.

I am so fortunate that this delightful, romantic, funny romp is now available on DVD (as are "Come September" and "That Funny Feeling"), so people can indulge in this fun fest and the chemistry between Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin (then married in real life).The plot concerns a wealthy young socialite, Chantal Stacy (the lovely and priceless Dee) who as trouble finding Mr. Right, until she meets photographer Eugene Wright (the cute and hilarious Darin). After she marries him, she tries to use her mother's advice by treating him like a pet, thinking that will make him a more affectionate and attentive husband. It works for a while, until Chantal spills her "secret" to her school friend (a young Stefanie Powers), who, just slightly tipsy, lets Eugene in on it, and leaving Chantal to find a different way to get his attention. Again, she turns to her mother for advice for some jealousy tactics. Micheline Presle is a gem as Chantal's mother, while John Lund is perfect as Chantal's protective father. And Cesar Romero is impeccable as Eugene's "dirty old man" artist father taking part in one of the schemes. And the cute dogs and the new little "addition" to the family . . . . .Dee and Darin were an adorable couple, and this movie confirms it. Don't listen to the critics' opinions about this blast from the past - it's a jewel. It's great that so many of these older movies are being released on DVD, as they so justly deserve to be. Now a whole new generation can enjoy them!

This movie is the cutest!!! One of my favorites of all time. Sad to see it's not on video. How do we get this one on video? Who do we write to? I give this film a 10 out of 10. Enjoy!