Um, maybe I'm missing something here, but I don't recall these two movies being that much alike. (Other than both of the fathers in these films lived in Britain.) It seemed in the Reluctant Debutante that Rex Harrison's character knew all the time that he had a daughter living in the US and there was certainly no thought of him getting back together with his ex-wife. I think it is a real stretch to call "What A Girl Wants" a remake of this great film.
shareI wouldn't call it a remark but at the end of "What a Girl Wants" it states that it was based on the play of "The Reluctant Debutante" so that is probably what they are talking about.
shareIt is a remake. They changed up the storylines a bit but the film lists the original play in the credits. The director and writers also mention it many times during the dvd commentary. Lines such as "Let me guess, he's the drummer" were little shout-outs to the original script.
shareI agree, all they really took from the Reluctante Debutante was the idea of an American girl suddenly having to interact with British royal society. But even that isn't as potent today, with the complete loosening of class distinctions, as it was in 1958, when the original movie debued.
And Harrison and Kendall served up a delightful farce, something so very delicate and hard to achieve. I laugh at the last scene in the movie when Kay looks at Rex as they dance and utters "Jimmy?", filled with confusion but hopeful that her husband has everything in hand, which he does as he sweeps her into his arms and into a waltz.
I didn't even realize that What a Girl wants was a "Remake". But, I immediately thought of that movie while watching this one.
I loved this movie...and I'm not a big Rex Harrison fan. All the actors were wonderful in this movie.
I prefer the chemistry of the leads in the remake. However, all the actors are wonderful in this.
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