I loved this hilarious movie as a teenager and own the video of it
as an adult. The story of two young girls who sweetly stalk a
concert pianist, played with insane panache by Peter Sellars, is
one of the nicest coming-of-age movies of that era. Set in New
York, her is a surprisingly sophisticated and gentle comedy you'll
enjoy over and over again.
Sellars's clueless, womanizing virtuoso never strikes a false
comic note. He's wildly inventive, never more so than in his
scenes with the gorgeous Paula Prentiss as the way-too-nervous
object of his lust. Playing a married woman who is flattered by his
attentions, Prentiss manages to look glamorous and on the verse
of a nervous breakdown all at once. Why this spectacularly gifted
comic actress didn't make it to the top is a mystery to me.
Angela Lansbury's socialite bitch of a mother is another one of her
classic nasty lady roles. Nobody can look down her nose with the
authority of Lansbury. Yes she got found acceptance and respect
on Broadway and on television, but she was a first-rate character
actress on screen too.
Tom Bosley is sympathetic as Tippy Walker's father and Phyllis
Thaxter exudes motherly warmth as Mary Spaeth's divorced Mom.
The Walker and Spaeth should have had futures as screen
actors. Alas, it was not to be. But they are delightful as the young
girls on the verse of womanhood, with a terrific crush on an
undeserving idol.
Nora and Nunnelly Johnson's script (he of course, a Hollywood
legend) wrote a sharp, funny and observant screenplay that is
respectful of teenagers and the adults. George Roy Hill is not a
great director, but when given good material, he rises to the
occasion as he does here. A real gem.
as an adult. The story of two young girls who sweetly stalk a
concert pianist, played with insane panache by Peter Sellars, is
one of the nicest coming-of-age movies of that era. Set in New
York, her is a surprisingly sophisticated and gentle comedy you'll
enjoy over and over again.
Sellars's clueless, womanizing virtuoso never strikes a false
comic note. He's wildly inventive, never more so than in his
scenes with the gorgeous Paula Prentiss as the way-too-nervous
object of his lust. Playing a married woman who is flattered by his
attentions, Prentiss manages to look glamorous and on the verse
of a nervous breakdown all at once. Why this spectacularly gifted
comic actress didn't make it to the top is a mystery to me.
Angela Lansbury's socialite bitch of a mother is another one of her
classic nasty lady roles. Nobody can look down her nose with the
authority of Lansbury. Yes she got found acceptance and respect
on Broadway and on television, but she was a first-rate character
actress on screen too.
Tom Bosley is sympathetic as Tippy Walker's father and Phyllis
Thaxter exudes motherly warmth as Mary Spaeth's divorced Mom.
The Walker and Spaeth should have had futures as screen
actors. Alas, it was not to be. But they are delightful as the young
girls on the verse of womanhood, with a terrific crush on an
undeserving idol.
Nora and Nunnelly Johnson's script (he of course, a Hollywood
legend) wrote a sharp, funny and observant screenplay that is
respectful of teenagers and the adults. George Roy Hill is not a
great director, but when given good material, he rises to the
occasion as he does here. A real gem.