Maridos em Férias

This picture has been on AMC recently. An allstar cast in various cameo roles as Walter Matthau get tips on how to cheat on his wife from the expert played by Robert Morse. All in all for a movie that features this many stars it's not bad. Some scenes are funnier than others. Lots of gorgeous 60's starlets to include Inger Stevens, Linda Harrison, Sue Ann Langdon, Jayne Mansfield, Polly Bergen, Majel Barrett. If you've never seen it it's worth the time.

There are a lot of slams in the comments about how this film is not politically correct, or downright misogynistic. True enough, I suppose, but it isn't fair to apply today's standards to a film that is over forty years old. I was a child at that time, but a man's home really was his castle then, and yes that was definitely to the detriment of the women. But that is the way it was. So get over it. The film is a lot of fun if you don't wear the ideological blinders when you watch it. Walter Matthau is always fun to watch, and Inger Stevens was, of course, serious eye candy. There are a lot of other pretty girls in the film, and Robert Morse's character was a hoot, seeing him rationalize his lust into caring so much for his wife that he must protect HER from knowledge of his adultery. The cameo vignettes were mostly amusing as well. It is light comedy, so don't expect to roll on the floor, but I say, check it out.

Gene Kelly, who directed this film, was a man that understood clearly timing and movement, as his distinguished career demonstrates. Being behind the camera gives him the opportunity to have his players to put into practice some of his ideas and the result is a film that is a lot of fun and doesn't appear too dated.

What Mr. Kelly accomplished with this film was bringing together two charismatic performers at the top of their form. Walter Matthau had been seen in lots of supporting roles before, but as Paul Manning, the bored husband looking for ways of having fun on the side, he is wonderful. The same could be said about Robert Morse, who had been on the New York stage and in other movies. Mr. Morse makes a fantastic contribution with his take of Ed Stander, the man who knew about how to go after the women he wanted without regard of the consequences.

Ed Stander puts a bug in Paul Manning's brain about how to have fun away from home. The only thing is, Paul is a man with a normal marriage with an adoring wife, who would not even contemplate in reciprocating what he is trying to do if he follows Ed's advice.

The other amazing thing in the film is the different vignettes that are seen throughout the movie. Some of the best and most accomplished actors working in Hollywood have a small part in cameo appearances that illustrate points that Ed would like Paul to put into practice. This way we get to see actors of the caliber of Lucille Ball, Art Carney, Jack Benny, Joey Bishop, Louis Nye, Jayne Mansfield, Phil Silvers, and others playing the dream-like sequences.

"A Guide for the Married Man" is a film worthy of our time since it takes us back to a more innocent period. Thanks to Mr. Kelly's inspired direction, the film will always be a favorite of mature fans.

This entertaining bit of froth stands up well, as Robert Morse, the neighborhood Lothario, attempts to instruct Walter Matthau in the How-To's of philandery (why he should be interested in philandery when he is married to the incredibly built Inger Stevens is an unexplained mystery). Of course the many delicious cameos by such as Phil Silvers, Sid Caesar, Jack Benny, Joey Bishop, et. al. keep the film bouncing merrily along. Well worth a see.

A movie from a time when "mature" didn't mean graphic. The plot is right out of the buttoned-down 60's -- Walter Matthau consults with expert adulterer Robert Morse before cheating on his wife (a very sexy Inger Stevens). Robert Morse's lessons are illustrated by hilarious vignettes featuring a Who's Who of comedy stars. The Joey Bishop turn on how to handle being caught in the act -- Deny, Deny, Deny is a classic.