Neal99 Review of If a Man Answers

If a Man Answers (1962)

Unbelievably offensive film - POSSIBLE SPOILERS

[2/10 · 6 December 2004]

Films from earlier times reflect values that are contemporary to the makers – this is a given of artistic evaluation. But it is hard to believe that people of the early 1960s were as sexist, stupid and shallow as this film portrays them. No wonder some people don't like old movies! Sandra Dee plays a young woman who takes her mother's bizarre, manipulative 'advice' and quickly lands a husband, played by Dee's real-life spouse Bobby Darin. The plot revolves around such infantile ploys as inventing a lover to make your spouse jealous, using a dog-training manual as a guide to 'train' your spouse and interfering in the marriage of your adult child. The only thing to be said in favor of this film is that it is definitely glossy in typical Ross Hunter style – beautiful, glamorous people in gorgeous clothes and picture-perfect settings. Otherwise, it is useful only as an example of how not to live one's life!