Le rendez-vous de septembre

Rock Hudson and Gina Lollabrigida star in "Come September," a 1961 comedy beautifully photographed to showcase the glorious scenery of Portafino, Italy, and the exquisiteness of Gina Lollabrigida, a knockout if there ever was one. Haven't seen her lately, but 25 years later, she was every bit as gorgeous.

Hudson plays a millionaire who comes to Italy to spend time in his villa each September. This year, he arrives early, looking forward to a dalliance with Lollobrigida as well. But she's through with him and planning to marry someone else - until she hears his voice.

When Hudson arrives at his fabulous villa, he discovers that his major domo (expertly played by Walter Slezak) has, for the last six years, been turning his place into a hotel. There is a bus load of young girls staying there with their chaperone, who slips on a champagne cork and is put out of commission. Thus, the girls can't leave and Hudson feels compelled to chaperone them.

When Lollobrigida hears the advice he's giving the young women to keep them out of the clutches of some young men who have arrived with reservations - she's not happy. The young men figure Hudson is too old to compete with them so they try exhausting him, hoping to get some time alone with the women.

Though this comedy sags in the middle, it's a cute story and the cast is delightful, including Sandra Dee and Bobby Darrin, who sings the title song and also "Multiplication" at a night club. A great talent, his is a sad story of a gifted song stylist who didn't live to mine his full potential. It is during this film that he met his future wife, Dee.

Hudson is handsome and fit and again shows his ability for comedy, and Lollabrigida gives an energetic, sexy performance. Their dance together in the nightclub is a high point.

One of the posters mentioned that Hudson's films today are diminished because of his now-known sexual preference. I submit this is ridiculous. Straight people have played gay people for years, and vice versa. The fact that we may not be aware of it doesn't make it any less true.

Hudson plays a straight man in this, and he's effective. When did it become a mandate that actors could only play themselves? It's not called acting for nothing.

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.

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!

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.

I don't know what other people have said about this movie, but if they said anything bad, they need to be shot. The casting is perfect and the acting is great. It has Gina Lollobrigida which is a definite plus to any movie. Rock Hudson pulls off his character with perfection. The story line is one of the best of all romantic comedies. I heartily recommend the movie to all.