If a Man Answers (1962)
Directed by Henry Levin
Genres - Comedy, Romance |
Sub-Genres - Domestic Comedy |
Release Date - Oct 10, 1962 (USA - Unknown), Oct 10, 1962 (USA) |
Run Time - 102 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
Share on
Synopsis by Eleanor Mannikka
This lightweight, nearly zero-gravity comedy by director Henry Levin relies on a novel by a male writer and a script by another man to come up with a nearly offensive story (in these more enlightened times) about how a woman can lie, manipulate, and generally deceive her husband, all in the "art" of hanging on to him. Sandra Dee is Chantal, married to Eugene (Bobby Darin, Dee's real-life husband), but first comes the story of how she hooked him. Next, comes the story of how he is trained to be a perfect husband, and then the final installment is unveiled. She uses a variety of tricks to keep him wondering whether or not he can trust her. For example, Chantal's mother calls her and "if a man answers" she hangs up, leaving the unhappy husband to think his wife has a clandestine lover. The premise that a woman's only role in life is to get and hold a husband has thankfully undergone a few revisions since 1962.
Characteristics
Moods
Themes
Keywords
advice, battle-of-the-sexes, deception, father, husband-and-wife, jealousy, mother