susanleslie2

Light hearted fun, lots of romance, beautiful songs and a sterling cast enhance one of Elvis's better mid-60's rom-coms.

Is it Shakespeare? Of course not, but the script's plot and action, under the direction of Oscar-winning veteran Norman Taurog, offers a handsome and romantic Presley playing opposite a lovely cast of leading ladies: Shelley Fabares, Diane McBain and winsome Deborah Walley.

Carl Betz turns in a formidable performance as the film's wily and industrious antagonist contrasting well with Presley's down to earth hero.

The male supporting players, Jimmy Hawkins and Jack Mullaney as Presley's sidekicks and Will Hutchins as a friendly local police officer are all charm.

Classic Hollywood character actors Una Merkel and Cecil Kellaway add another layer of warmth, charm and well...class.

I didn't remember this film being so well made when I first viewed it back in 1994. I think it's aged well 30 years later. Some of that is due to a wonderful cast of actors, (some no longer with us); Many welcomed faces: Garry Shandling, Brenda Vaccaro, Paul Mazursky, Pierce Brosnan, Harold Ramis.

Also the cinematography is much better than I remembered; Katharine Hepburn's brief but key performance is excellent. Young Annette Bening's beauty and grace is matched with her engaging performance.

Warren Beatty is good, but I think he's too old for this role, sad to say. The Warren Beatty of Heaven Can Wait would have been more age appropriate for this character. He doesn't ruin the film--he just doesn't enhance it.

Do I believe this love story? Well yes, 30 years later: it's Bening and Beatty.

I just found this on Youtube and remember it from 55+ years ago. An atmospheric "Spooky House" storyline with Julie Harris in her prime playing a dual role of identical twins. Farley Granger co-stars as the duplicitous husband of one of the twins. Beautiful Joan Huntington is featured, sporting a European accent, as a lurking house maid with wavering loyalties.

All performances are top notch and the sets are expensive looking; the grounds expansive. The great character actor Thomas Gomez rounds out the cast as a suspicious Police Detective.

Plenty of twists and suspense. A great showcase for Ms. Harris.