Ancora una volta con sentimento

Two films came out in the same year based upon plays by Harry Kurnitz, directed by Stanley Donen and starring Yul Brynner. The less said about 'Surprise Package' the better as it is too ghastly even to contemplate. This one is quite an improvement although once again Brynner, this time playing an orchestral conductor as opposed to a gangster, proves that he is utterly devoid of a sense of comedy. His portrayal of egomania is convincing. The redeeming feature of the other one was Noel Coward whilst here it is Kay Kendall. Her vivacity is intoxicating and her comedy timing impeccable. The scene where she plays the harp for the orchestra trustees is a comic gem. There are some excellent one-liners and it looks fantastic courtesy of lighting cameraman Georges Perinal and production designer Alexandre Trauner. Sadly this film represents the final bow for the glorious and incomparable Kay Kendall who died before its release.

While Yul Brynner and Kay Kendall throw themselves admirably into their parts, their characters are annoying. Brynner's character, Victor Fabian, is a one-note, over-the-top egocentric and quickly becomes tiring.

Kay Kendall's character, Dolly Fabian, is the peacemaker counterweight to Victor Fabian's "bull in the china shop", and is the person who soothes the wealthy benefactors to Victor's orchestra.

The wealthy benefactors are the stereotypical dull and eccentric people with money who need to give it to poor, creative, artistic people.

As Victor Fabian grew quickly tiresome it fell to Dolly Fabian's character to pull me into the movie. She failed as she was a doormat.

Victor and his stereotypically lying and money hungry agent, Maxwell Archer (with an annoying and hard to understand Russian/Eastern European accent), lie and scheme to get Dolly back after she rightfully-so left Victor when he dallied with a young music student.

After leaving Victor, Dolly started a career as a teacher and is now engaged. Good for her as I could not see what she saw in Victor in the first place.

A wealthy elderly backer will not support Victor with the London orchestra unless Dolly is back with him. So Victor and his agent pursue and trick Dolly into returning. Not the most romantic of reasons. Still it could be comedic but it is not.

Dolly comes across as weak willed and a doormat. Her protests of not wanting to be with Victor again are ignored and steam rolled. Apparently the lady's "No!", does not mean no.

The movie's pretend divorce request to cover up for a pretend marriage is too dumb to be believed.

It is a shame that this film has not been released on video. It is a witty observation of the classical music world with Yul Brynner playing the part of a temperamental orchestra conductor. It was also Kay Kendall's last film - she was fatally ill when she made it and died shortly after it was finished. She was a marvelous comedienne and was a great foil for Yul Brynner. Every classical music buff should see this film!

I finally found a copy of this which I had not seen since it came out. I still found it wonderfully funny and vintage Kendall. Perhaps the reason why this movie has not survived in the public arena is that it deals with a couple "living in sin" who have to marry in order to divorce after a 7 or 8-year liaison in order to satisfy public morality. Seems unbelievable now, but can think of no other reason, other than perhaps Kay Kendall's estate is difficult about her films.

Another Kendall movie which seems to be unattainable is "Simon and Laura" with Peter Finch. This film takes a rather cynical look at the TV industry, viewer loyalty, and "soaps" and these aspects might be a reason for its suppression. Since writing this, it has just been released on DVD in the U.K.(March 2007)

This film is just plain funny. Yul Brenner is perfect as the fiery uncompromising symphony conductor, Kaye Kendall likewise as his companion of many years who has kept his orchestra afloat by her unfailing ability to soothe the many feathers ruffled by the maestro -- until, that is, she returns one night to find him compromised with a beautiful 21-year-old pianist. The first-rate performances here are not limited to their acting alone; this is a fine piece of work and everyone involved can be justifiably proud of their part in making it so. The mystery, to me, is why this upbeat and thoroughly delightful comedy is virtually unknown and why the only way in which viewers can verify this is to catch it on its infrequent showings on late-night television. This should really be available on VHS or DVD; my question is, why isn't it?