Le rendez-vous de septembre

I loved this movie. I have watched it over and over again . Rock,Gina,Sandra and Bobby were all fantastic. They don't make movies like this anymore. The countryside where it was filmed was beautiful. The chemistry between Sandra Dee and Bobby Darrin was exciting. A lot of fun!

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.

This Universal International film was a vehicle for Rock Hudson who showed an uncanny gift for comedy. As such, "Come September" is a product of the times in which it was made. That was the time when Hollywood had an advantage in using natural beautiful European scenery which was affordable then. Robert Mulligan directed this comedy that although pleasant didn't fare as well as other, better made comedies, of that era.

Probably one of the best scenes in the movie involves Rock Hudson dancing a fast number with Gina Lollobrigida, something probably no one could have expected for an actor not associated with musical comedies. Mr. Hudson, an actor not known for his dancing abilities, comes across as having the time of his life. The chemistry between the actor and Gina Lollobrigida saves the movie because the story is thin.

Also in the movies we see Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin, who later became a couple. Walter Slezak and Brenda DeBanzie, both veterans actors, also appear in the movie. A very young Joel Grey has a small part.

The Ligurian region of Italy is shown in all its splendor. Great views of Portofino can be seen from the top of the Talbot mansion. The film is mildly entertaining if one doesn't expect too much out of the material.

For some reason, this lightweight comedy from 1961 became something of an icon in India, where I come from. We were kids when it was first released but Bobby Darin's theme music became so popular that it was played practically everywhere for the next few years. I think the film was re-released three times between 1961 & 1964 in Bangalore, with the locally edited trailers mistakenly adding footage from other films of the era like Palm Springs Weekend! I first saw the film as an 8-year old in 1963, but had to wait 28 more years before I saw it as an adult - on British TV in 1991. On the whole, I like this film as a period piece of what some people call "Kennedy era entertainment" - lightweight, fluffy comedies that are nice to watch now and then.

"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