Bei mir nicht

This movie is a sweet light hearted comedy. You should watch it twice if possible. Once to just see it and the second time to get the parts you missed the first time through. The story could be set in most any time frame or city with minor variations. It is a traditional tale of the good looking male who is beginning to feel a little 'past it' and a beautiful younger female with a major crush on him. There is a nicely balancing, very attractive, other woman of his own age who 'understands' only too well. There are a number of variations that thicken the plot - some are for laughter, some are for romance. This particular cast of actors and actresses fill their parts delightfully well. The many supporting character parts only add to the enjoyment of the movie. I truly enjoy the musical score, especially the title song "But Not for Me", and the way it is worked through the movie.

Charmer finds Gable at near the end of his career still fully in command of his star power as a somewhat roguish producer who is juggling both personal and professional issues.

Lilli Palmer is an excellent match for him, her continental charm playing off his brusk exasperation with surprising ease. She's so good it's a shame her role is rather small but she makes every moment she's on screen memorable and you miss her when she's out of the picture.

Lee J. Cobb likewise makes his modest role seem more than it is by filling it with his magnetic presence.

Carroll is sexy in a refined way, this was before she cast her lot in the sex symbol derby with junk like Harlow and The Carpetbaggers and wrecked her reputation as a serious actress for several years until she came back as a respected character actress.

The kind of breezy star vehicle that is rarely if ever made today, spotlighting the star but loaded with talent in almost every role. Competently directed and as an added bonus Ella Fitzgerald sings the title tune over the credits. For Gable fans this is a must!

One noteworthy thing about this movie is the use of music. Both the title song "But Not For Me" (also used in 'Four Weddings and a Funeral') and "You Make Feel So Young" pop up at various moments to good effect. Both songs date from the 1940s.

Any film with Lee J. Cobb is good according to me. And no one can fill out a tux like Gable. There's even a Joi Lansing walk through.

This film is somehow a B & W, 1950s version of 'Something's Gotta Give' - aging leading man and the Lili Palmer/Diane Keaton character. There's even a Long Island connection. If that sounds like an attractive idea, then it's worth a peek. Otherwise, the whole exercise will appear impressively dated.

In one of his last films, Clark Gable portrays an entertainment executive who decides to regain lost youth by having a love affair with his young secretary (Carroll Baker). The film has its flaws and it's certainly no "Gone With The Wind" but Gable still manages to give an excellent performance here.

Odd to find Clark Gable, in one of his final films, trying his damnedest to perk up such an outright piece of fluff. As a 50-ish theatrical producer fighting off the unwanted affections of his smitten juvenile secretary--and later using his predicament as the basis for a new play--Gable initially seems unsure of himself, though he does locate the dumb spirit of the piece and warms up midway through. As the lovestruck working girl, newcomer Carroll Baker is sweet but also stiff (and her hairstyle and clothes don't seem to match her age--she doesn't look like what other young ladies of this period resemble). Remake of 1935's "Accent on Youth" is hackneyed and coy, but the cast (including Lee J. Cobb and Lilli Palmer as Gable's ex-wife) manages to sell it despite shortcomings in the material and the handling. Gable and Palmer were both nominated for Golden Globes, and the picture was nominated for Best Comedy. **1/2 from ****