Who likes this movie?? - The Mating Game (1959) Discussion

[–] CleverTitania 17 years ago

Well, I'm not quite as young as you (32) but I love this movie. Of course, I love all these old movies. Tony Randall, Debbie Reynolds, Doris Day, Rock Hudson, Cary Grant (comedies in particular), Irene Dunne, Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Shirley Maclaine, I could go on an on. One of the best parts of this was getting to see Tony shine in a lead. He didn't get to do a lot of that back then. He was the perfect best friend, but he did a great job of heading this story. Debbie was also fantastic. The entire

The less a man makes declarative statements the less apt he is to look foolish in retrospect.

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[–] Retro_Princess 16 years ago

I loooove this movie a lot! I think its very funny =) I'm 17 but I watched it when I was 15 (I know I was quite old lol but I live in Venezuela and I only depend of TCM to watch this movies) i really like classic movies.. I'm a big fan of MGM musicals, nobody of my age likes classic movies :( but thanks to the internet I know I'm not alone lol I've found a lot of young people who looove classi movies as much as I do :)

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[–] carman-j 16 years ago

trust me you are not the only one your age who likes classic movies. i discovered them when i was only 12 (i am 14 now). but i know what you mean when you say that not a lot of people our age enjoy classic movies. its too bad.

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[–] francisclough 16 years ago

Debbie was ebullient here, a beguiling brew of intoxicating yet wholesome femininity. And Randall here was the right cork to release her from the champagne bottle! And the warm Irish bear Paul Douglas was just great in sadly his last film role (see him in Angels in the Outfield and 14 Hours, his best showcases). A chocolate eclair of a movie, and just plain fun!

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[–] krdement 16 years ago

I generally prefer films of all kinds from the 30's and 40's. The Mating Season, howeer, is one of the fairly rare romantic comedies from the 50's-60's that I rate very highly. Randall is very good, although a little over the top in the "drunk" scene. Debbie Reynolds is perfect for this role, and she is great. But I especially love this film because of the more restrained humor of Paul Douglas. And I like Una Merkel very much, with her immediately recognizable voice. One of the reasons I love classic films so much is seeing familiar character actors over and over and checking out the different roles those lesser luminaries played. That is one of the aspects of classic movies that endears them most to me. BTW, I am a 54 year-old male. I'm glad to see such young people enjoying classic films.

John 3:16

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[–] schappe1 15 years ago

No mobsters, spies, monsters, aliens, mysterious evil forces. Also no fart jokes. When was the last time you saw something like this? It was made at a point where movies were supposed to be charming diversions, not give you headaches.

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[–] msdemos 15 years ago

This movie was released the same year I was born, and I fell like a ton of bricks for sweet Debbie, the first time I saw it!

She is absolutely radiant in it, and a pure joy to behold.......

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[–] MystMoonstruck 11 years ago

Robert Osborne brought up that Debbie was dealing with rumors about her husband, Eddie Fisher, consoling their newly widowed friend, Elizabeth Taylor. He noted that the papers were filled with speculations, and Debbie had to film this comedy seemingly lighthearted and carefree.

BTW: Carrie Fisher has said that the marriage was NOT broken up. She said that, as young as she was, she was aware that her parents were having a rough time. She said that they would pose as the loving couple with their children but be battling as soon as they were alone. But, for years, "Liz" was slammed for breaking up their fairytale marriage. Actually, Eddie was getting to her when she was particularly vulnerable, being devastated by Mike Todd's death. I'm not sure it's true, but I've read in several sources that she wore his wedding ring on a chain for many years.

*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***

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[–] cjluna-1 11 years ago

I actually first saw this movie when it was released in 1959! I was 8 years old and loved it. Loved all the animals, the farm life, and the comedic high jinks and roughhousing. Figured adult life would be lots of fun! Now, at the ripe age of 63, saw it again on TCM and still loved it! This time, along with the romance, enjoyed the idealistic story of a loving married (and, yes, somewhat naive) couple not needing to pay taxes. This is just a very sweet and funny movie.

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[–] mayanlongcount 9 years ago

saw it first in 1977. loved it then, love it more now. classic story of simple freedom v. bureaucratic nightmare. i side with freedom and joy. go charlie.

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[–] terric01 8 years ago

This movie is as old as I am. Like another poster here, I too am glad to see so many young people enjoying corny old classics! I recently read Debbie Reynolds' autobiography and she mentions this movie. And another book on the MGM backlot shows photos of the set.
It was my mother who introduced me to the classics and I always thought at my age that I was the only "youngster" who still watched musicals, loves Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire, and know the words to so many old songs. Glad to hear there are others out there like me!!

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[–] Maddy-17 8 years ago

I was 16 when this movie came out, so I guess you can call ME a classic. As a matter of fact, I am watching the movie right now on TCM(9/12). I have seen it several times..a very sweet movie..no cursing, no murders, just a sweet movie. I own over 900 DVDs and most of them are classics. I would rather watch any of them than the movies that are made today. The last time I saw a movie in a theater was in 1979(Kramer vs. Kramer).

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[–] louiseculmer 7 years ago

I quite like it. as an American adaptation of a very English novel I think it works quite well really, and keeps the spirit of the original.

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