Bachelor Flat

Suave and fastidious British archeology professor "Patterson" (Terry-Thomas) is forever fending off the attentions of his amorous female students, so hopes that the announcement of his engagement to "Helen" (Celeste Holm) might calm things down. He's in for quite a shock though when her daughter "Libby" (Tuesday Weld) shows up having absconded from boarding school. Now he knew nothing of her, nor she him so when she catches him in the shower - well that's just the start of the misunderstandings galore that follow. None of this is helped by his youthful neighbour "Mike" (Richard Beymer) who quickly takes a bit of a shine to her. Poor old "Patterson" is quickly out of his depth as the scenarios become sillier and the intervention of a certain four-legged "Jessica" adds even more mayhem as she fancies a gnaw on his recently arrived ancient dinosaur bone. It starts off quite engagingly but does rather fall into a repetitious frying pan to fire series of predictable scenarios that even the naturally talented Terry-Thomas struggles to rejuvenate after half an hour of romantic, under the bed, semi-slapstick. Beymer and Weld look like they are enjoying themselves though, and the few scenes with Holm make it a watchable enough comedy that epitomises the spirit of the British stiff upper lip contrasted with a good dose of American free love and even a bit of French joie de vivre too! You'll never remember it, but it passes ninety minutes effortlessly.

I recently saw this film on AMC. Personally, I think this is one of the best movies i've seen in a while! Here's a plot summary:

Terry Thomas is an english-born college professor with women-problems: he can't get away from them! To complicate things, his fiances' long-lost daughter appears and poses as an escape school-girl. Thomas' young roommate Richard Beymer is 'nutty' for her. What follows is a series of misadventures that include women doing anything possible for Thomas, the acquisition of a dinosaur bone, and a crazy Mr. Hyde-like change!

It's basically one of those 60's feel good movies in which all the strange little plot details come together in the end. BACHELOR FLAT is a fun and entertaining way to pass the time on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

British archaeology professor at a Southern California university, living at the home of his fiancée--a world traveler who is currently away--finds himself saddled with a young chippie who claims to be an escapee from reform school; turns out she's the 17-year-old daughter of his future wife, who somehow failed to mention she was the mother of a teenager. Budd Grossman adapted his play along with the film's director, Frank Tashlin, yet neither seems able to tell the difference between shrill one-liners and clever repartee. The cast is manic and cartoonish, dashing in and out of the professor's pad on the beach as if this were a "Carry On" farce from the 1950s. Terry-Thomas isn't as offensive as the younger players, but working strenuously at a piece of fluff is ultimately disastrous for the picture and the star. Farce doesn't seem to be Tuesday Weld's strong suit (she's metallic and grating instead of charming), while Richard Beymer as a smitten law student is merely a hole in the screen. Not much headway from 1954's "Susan Slept Here", which Tashlin also directed, although this one at least has a cute dachshund with a fetish for dinosaur bones. *1/2 from ****

This is such a wonderful little, "feelgood" film. Terry Thomas is just wonderful and so is Tuesday Weld. All the different characters work so well together. There are about 5 or 6 different storylines, all interwoven. This film is just the sort of film to relax with at the end of a hard workweek. Even the dog has a storyline!! If you are looking for a little film that will have you smiling at the end, I highly recommend this one.

Mike Pulaski (Richard Beymer) narrates in the beginning that the British have been stealing American chicks ever since the War of Independence. He is both jealous and an admirer. He's a carefree hound-dog living in a trailer on the beach. His neighbor Prof. Bruce Patterson (Terry-Thomas) is both his friend and his mentor. Patterson's upcoming marriage to Helen Bushmill (Celeste Holm) is breaking the hearts of all his female students and many female acquaintances. He is surprised by Libby Bushmill (Tuesday Weld) who shows up out of nowhere. Helen had failed to tell him about her daughter.

I am of two minds about Terry-Thomas. On the one hand, he is far from Indiana Jones and I don't get all the female attention. On the other hand, it prevents him from developing any chemistry with his female pursuers especially Libby. Ultimately, Tuesday Weld steals the movie. The teenage performer has a great surprising voice. Quite frankly, her character should be the lead although this is strictly a male fantasy comedy with plenty of slinky babes. It has some moments of fun which elevates its light weight quality.