Getting Married

Bess Armstrong, then-star of the TV series "On Our Own", is very good as a perky newscaster who has her choice between two men for her future husband: a well-meaning dullard and an all-out romantic who will not let anyone stop him from winning Armstrong's heart. Richard Thomas is surprisingly well-cast as the guy with the incurable crush, even though by today's standards he may seem a little nutty (would bursting into a church on horseback constitute stalking?). Luckily, Bess kinda likes him after all, and this TV-film is memorably quirky and cute. Lots of guest-stars in support (Katherine Helmond, Van Johnson, Audra Lindley, Mark Harmon, Vic Tayback, Fabian, Richard Deacon) help make it a breezy, enjoyable affair.

If I could start again and rewrite my life I would be Bess Armstrong in this movie.It makes my heart hurt and my eyes leak every time I see it. Everyone should have a Fantasy and this one is mine. The visual of Richard Thomas riding to get Bess from the church on his "white", albeit freshly painted, white horse is the vision every girl wants to have in here life. Also the juxtaposition of the wedding plans from both families are a joy to watch. Such spirit and determination remind be of Dustin Hoffman when he steals Katherine Ross from the church in The Graduate.This is a much more lighthearted and playful film and I recommend it to anyone who wants to feel young at heat and lucky in love.

A young Bess Armstrong is getting married to handsome Mark Harmon and when her lovelorn coworker (played by Richard Thomas) finds out, all heck breaks loose. Thomas spends the rest of the film pursuing Armstrong's character who is planning the wedding with her sweetly domineering mother-in-law played by Katherine Helmond. Thomas, after being interrogated by his own parents regarding his lackluster love life, claims that he is getting married and ANOTHER wedding is planned. (And as happens in Movieland, the two weddings are occurring on the very same day). Now, who will Bess choose?

I remember watching this when it first aired, oh so many years ago, and finding it enjoyable and funny. The movie is full of familiar faces (Van Johnson, Audra Lindley, Fabian, Mimi Kennedy, Vic Tayback). It's typical romantic comedy fluff and Bess Armstrong is so cute and endearing you get that more than one guy would be interested. As an adult, I realize that Thomas' character's behavior is pretty stalkerish (though Armstrong is more irritated by it initially than really upset). As long as you don't treat it as a model for how to win a girl over, it's enjoyable to reflect on how innocent the film is compared to the romantic comedies of today.

I love to watch Richard Thomas in comedy roles and this is no exception. He is certain that this beautiful newscaster is destined to be his wife, even if she is definitely marrying a snob with snobbish mother. His attempts to win her while assuring his parents he is getting married are enough to make you cheer him on. He even writes a beautiful song which is sung to her by Fabian. His folks continue to plan the wedding to be held in their back yard. Her parents are rather on his side, but mostly just watch the efforts made to win their daughter. He never gives up, right down to the last minute, becoming the "Knight on a white horse". I love feel-good movies and this is one I highly recommend. (He did a good job on Barefoot In The Park, also with Bess Armstrong....much better than the movie. His talent at bringing out the comedy in his role is superb.)

I gave this movie 10 stars not because I think it should win an academy award but because its a light, fun, and romantic movie that made me feel good when I first saw it as a pre-teen. Also of note is that Richard Thomas and Bess Armstrong would team up again in the amazing HBO produced play of Barefoot In the Park - I highly recommend. This movie is a pre-curser to their chemistry!