L'appartamento dello scapolo

Prf. Patterson goes through 'trouble' of dealing with the beautiful women that throw themselves at him & his surprise step daughter who returns home to pretend to be a juvenile.

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.

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.

Bachelor Flat is one of those well done early 60's lightweight comedies that is not a great standout, but a movie one cannot help but like. Terry Thomas is superb as the steadfast British professor trying to keep his stiff upper lip heritage intact in a youthful environment of early southern California culture. Thomas is very well supported by the rest of cast who play off against the professor's stiff British bearing. The true delight to this movie is when Thomas shows his ability to play off against this British bearing with comedy antics that predate anything comedy group Monte Python would do so well later. Tuesday Weld is also quite good as the "wayward teenager" along with Richard Beymer who does a very competent job of playing the professor's young neighbor and friend. I found this movie quite charming in it's own way, and everyone ends up doing the right thing. I would recommend it for anyone who needs a nice diversion from the often heavy handed and simplistic comedies of today.

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.