Directed by Minelli, "The Reluctant Debutante" is about a young American girl named Jane (Sandra Dee) who visits her father, who is a banker in London. There, she meets his second wife, who decides Jane should debut (or "come out") during the season, which is a succession of debutante balls. It is 1958, and this will be the last season, as decreed by Queen Elizabeth.
This film represents a series of firsts and lasts.
The father, Jimmy, is played by Rex Harrison. His wife, Sheila, is played by Harrison's actual wife, Kay Kendall. This will be Kendall's last film.
This is actually Sandra Dee's second appearance in a film. Her fresh-faced persona is understandable, as she is only about 15 in this appearance, due to lying about her age.
Jane is disappointed with the romantic prospects of the season when she realizes the young man who seems most available is David Fenner (Peter Myers), a guardsman who is a dull "drip"; his main interest seems to be the best way to negotiate the London roadways.
But then David Parkson (John Saxon) enters the picture. Jane has chemistry with this American drummer almost immediately. There are a few clever moments due to the confusion of the two Davids.
In the era when the squeaky-clean image of Doris Day is of greatest appeal, Sandra Dee fits in well, like a Disney princess come alive. She is the image of the perfect debutante, on the cusp of womanhood, discovering love.
This film represents a series of firsts and lasts.
The father, Jimmy, is played by Rex Harrison. His wife, Sheila, is played by Harrison's actual wife, Kay Kendall. This will be Kendall's last film.
This is actually Sandra Dee's second appearance in a film. Her fresh-faced persona is understandable, as she is only about 15 in this appearance, due to lying about her age.
Jane is disappointed with the romantic prospects of the season when she realizes the young man who seems most available is David Fenner (Peter Myers), a guardsman who is a dull "drip"; his main interest seems to be the best way to negotiate the London roadways.
But then David Parkson (John Saxon) enters the picture. Jane has chemistry with this American drummer almost immediately. There are a few clever moments due to the confusion of the two Davids.
In the era when the squeaky-clean image of Doris Day is of greatest appeal, Sandra Dee fits in well, like a Disney princess come alive. She is the image of the perfect debutante, on the cusp of womanhood, discovering love.