El dilema de María

Psychiatrist Malcolm Nettel (John Bentley) claims that he could hypnotize a pregnant woman into producing a perfect baby. Struggling stage producer Scott Raymond (John Watling) overhears and wagers Nettel £5,000 he can't do what he says he can do. Intending to con the psychiatrist, Raymond hires actress Mary Kirk (Agnes Laurent) to pose as a pregnant woman and become Nettel's patient. Complications arise, however, when Mary falls in love with Nettel.

This is apparently Britain's first sex comedy. It's not very funny but it does have some sex appeal. Laurent is very attractive, as is Hazel Court, who plays Raymond's fiancée. Laurent also appears to be dubbed. Perhaps she dubbed her own lines but it's clear there is dubbing as her words aren't always perfectly in synch with her lips. See it for the curiosity factor, as well as the lovely ladies.

The basic premise of the story -- a psychiatrist wagering that he can produce a "super baby" through hypnosis -- is silly beyond belief. It's never clear exactly what that means, but it's really beside the point. The main purpose of the story is to provide a humorous backdrop for a non-stop series of mildly suggestive situations, and to show females in various states of undress -- and here it succeeds admirably. Everyone involved seems well aware that the story is just froth, and the campy performances are what make this little gem so enjoyable. Agnès Laurent, as the French beauty queen who agrees to be hypnotized, is nothing short of aces, and the other leads are terrific as well.

I found "Mary Had a Little..." to be great fun from beginning to end. Recommended!