Le rendez-vous de septembre

"Come September", handsome Rock Hudson (as Robert Talbot) goes to his luxurious Italian villa, to hook up with gorgeous part-time lover Gina Lollobrigida (as Lisa Fellini). Suddenly changing plans, Mr. Hudson surprises Ms. Lollobrigida by arriving two months before their annual rendezvous. Looking for more commitment, Lollobrigida has made plans to marry another man; but, she agrees to meet Hudson for one more fling. Their love nest is disrupted by entrepreneurial "major domo" Walter Slezak (as Maurice Clavell).

Since Hudson never appears before September, Mr. Slezak has turned Hudson's villa into a hotel for sightseeing teenage girls. Hudson takes a fatherly interest in them, most notably sunny Sandra Dee (as Sandy Stevens). And, he tries to keep Ms. Dee and her girlfriends away from a group of amorous young men, most notably singer Bobby Darin (as Tony). And, yes, that's Joel Grey (as Beagle) years before his overnight success in "Cabaret" (1972). Eventually young and old have a meeting of the minds.

This was Mr. Darin's first feature film appearance as an actor; despite being slightly miscast, he is good. Darin's single "Multiplication" was an accompanying hit (in the film, Hudson has a cute line about sexual mathematics). In real life, Darin and Dee (already a big movie star) married after an off screen romance. Oddly enough, on screen, the young lovers are no match for Hudson and Lollobrigida. The production is first class, with photographer William Daniels highlighting the beauty of the sets, locations and Lollobrigida.

****** Come September (8/8/61) Robert Mulligan ~ Rock Hudson, Gina Lollobrigida, Bobby Darin, Sandra Dee

We love the film and have watched it countless times. Last year we were lucky to find out where the location of Mr Talbot's "villa" was. It is in reality one of the most luxurious hotels in the world dominating the the hill overlooking the bay of Portofino in the Italian Riviera. The staff in the hotel confirmed that the film was shot there. However, when we view the film, the shots from the terrace down to the harbour don't quite line up, so we imagine that another location was also used. If you ever get to Portofino, it is worth the climb to see the view and the coffee wasn't as expensive as it was down in the harbour. Best wishes Peter and Ita Kay.

Come September contains few surprises in that it's a light comedy that represents its time (1961). You get the expected romantic complications, misunderstandings, scheming, and a suitable resolution. No drama here; you know how it will all turn out. But that's okay. When you watch a comedy like Come September, you would be disappointed if it didn't follow formula.

Come September has a few things to recommend it. All the actors do a fine job. Rock Hudson is the focus of the film and he holds it together. Gina Lollabrigida is sexy and funny; she plays her part with spirit.

In addition, the scenery--shot along the Italian Riviera--is beautiful. The villa where the story unfolds is perfect as the vacation home of a rich American businessman.

To top it off, in what other film do you get a joke about a drunken parakeet?

Beautiful locations, beautiful people, beautiful cinematography and glossy direction, combine with a pedestrian script to create a satisfactory viewing experience.

Rock is Rock, and Gina is Gina, and the two manage to spice up an extremely predictable storyline. The dialogue adheres closely to basic early 60s comedy requirements. Cute and polite sexuality is tossed into a situation driven by confusion that could easily be avoided if characters would simply ask the logical questions.

Darren and Dee surprisingly have little chemistry, considering this is the film that began their real-life relationship.

Minor complaint.......the final shot telegraphed its conclusion the minute the happy couple drove up to the villa. I said to myself, there are going to be ________ at the table, and sure enough, I was correct.

The casting of the college kids is bland, I suppose in order not to overshadow Darren and Dee.

Come September is the first of two films that Rock Hudson co-starred with Gina Lollabrigida and it's the story of a man who comes only in September to Italy to spend time at his villa where his factotum, Walter Slezak has things in hand.

That he has, since Hudson only shows up in the fall for a few weeks, why let this beautiful grand villa go to waste. So Slezak for years has been turning it into a hotel and turning a few bucks doing it. This summer though Hudson shows up early and boy is he surprised to find a group of teenage girls, Sandra Dee and friends chaperoned by Brenda DaBanzie staying there.

Things are compounded worse when DaBanzie does a Woman Who Came to Dinner number and slips on a champagne cork after being given an eviction by the irate Hudson. Now she can't move. She and the girls are stuck there.

But Slezak is not the only one creating problems for Rock. For years he's been taking fiancé Gina Lollabrigida for granted and now she's set to marry the v-e-d-d-y proper British Ronald Howard. Add to that some boys led by Bobby Darin also arrive with reservations at the Hudson hotel. In fact in one of his earliest screen roles, young law student Joel Grey rightly informs Hudson the group might sue if their reservations aren't honored.

It's quite a mess as you can see, but in these comedies things do have a way of working out. Personally I think the guy who should have been sued is Slezak.

Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee met and were fated to be mated as it were. Darin also gets to sing one of his classic hits, Multiplication on the sound track. He was quite a talent, what a very sad and early loss Bobby Darin was.

Though the story is too silly at times, Rock and Gina have a nice working chemistry together. I rather liked them better in Strange Bedfellows. This one's all right though.