Deux Minets pour Juliette

Although Tony Curtis in his memoirs compared Not With My Wife You Don't to a Crosby/Hope Road picture in point of fact this film for me came off more like one of those post sound Flagg and Quirt movies. Certainly the military aspect of this film lent itself better to the Captain Flagg Sergeant Quirt hijinks. And neither Curtis or Scott warbled a note.

When we meet the guys they're in Korea, a pair of Air Force fliers who are rivals for everything including Italian nurse Virna Lisi. Curtis wins her by foul means though when Scott is shot down on a mission. He's all right, but he's shipped to hospital in Manila. Curtis intercepts the telegram saying so and tells Lisi he died. So she marries him, possibly on the rebound.

14 years go by and Curtis is now a Lieutenant-Colonel stationed in Europe and Scott gets stationed there. Of course he has to fake surprise that his old buddy is alive and actually has a higher rank. When Scott learns of the deception the old games resume with a vengeance.

In his memoirs Curtis says that Scott was an actor of great intensity who really could over power other players. He had to really be on his toes to make sure he didn't steal the whole film. I suspect there was a little bit of professional jealousy in his words. Now that Curtis, Scott, and Lisi are all gone they can argue it out in the next world.

Fans of the three stars should like it. But whatever it is Not With My Wife You Don't is far from a male buddy picture.

Air Force colonel Tom Ferris (Tony Curtis) is busy climbing the military ladder to the frustration of his wife Julie. Their marriage is in trouble. 14 years earlier during the Korean War, American flyboy buddies Tom Ferris and Tank Martin (George C. Scott) both fall for Italian nurse Julie. The two friends are willing to lie, cheat, and steal to get the girl.

I'm surprised with George C. Scott doing a light screwball comedy. There is a bit joy in the shock. This is perfectly harmless. The love triangle is actually compelling mostly due to the two leads. The girl is easy on the eyes. The quiet fight is probably the most fun. Otherwise, this is a minor comedy with minor laughs.

Saw 'Not With My Wife, You Don't!' as part of my Tony Curtis completest quest after being recommended many of his films here in the recommended for you section. It was not something that was intended initially but actually it has proven to be a generally worthwhile experience, even with a couple of missteps.

While there were and are better actors about and he didn't always look comfortable in his early films, Curtis was always immensely likeable and had a charming charisma with many good and more performances under his belt. The cover was also appetising, George C Scott was one fine actor and the story, while unoriginal, seemed really interesting. So there were all the ingredients here for it to work and really wanted to like it.

Unfortunately, 'Not With My Wife, You Don't!' didn't do anything for me. A few good things but what had the potential to fly high doesn't properly leave the ground. As said Curtis had missteps in his career, 'Not With My Wife, You Don't!' is one of them.

'Not With My Wife, You Don't!' as aforementioned has good points. It's a great-looking film and beautifully filmed in quite ravishing but never too glossy Technicolor. There are a few good scenes, with a colourful opening sequence, the temporarily gone blind one and especially the Italian film spoof (do agree that it is the highlight of the film).

Virna Lisi, sensuous and charming, gives the best performance. The music score is pleasant enough if not exactly memorable.

However, was disappointed in the big names. Curtis is in a role that on paper was in his comfort zone and one he should have been perfect for, his performance here felt stale, with a surprising lack of zest in his comic timing and the charm being missing, and like he was struggling to properly keep up. Was more let down by Scott, here cast in an atypical role and badly out of his depth with him trying far too hard and being too intense. Have absolutely nothing against actors being cast against type, there have been some great examples but Scott's very vast experience in intense heavyweight roles feels ill-suited for a lightweight film. The chemistry between the actors lacks sparkle.

The lack of sparkle is also present in the script. apart from the odd amusing line there is a lack of zest and wit and what might have been racy at the time comes over as tame and bland. It may not be as fluffy and smutty as one would fear, but it's nowhere near saucy enough and gets silly and limp. The direction is hardly inept, but it's not particularly distinguished or inspired, almost too safe. The story can be sluggish and content-wise it's far too slight, it needed a much lighter touch in a film that should be lightweight fluff but played and taken too seriously and it's pretty contrived.

In conclusion, lacklustre and a disappointment while with its moments. 4/10 Bethany Cox

In film history there are many comedy teams. Some good, others better and some are Classic Teams of the highest caliber. Examples like Laural and hardy, Lou And Abbot and of course, Martin and Lewis rank among the greatest. In this film called " Not with My Wife, you don't " are teamed Curtis and Scott (Tony Curtis and George C. Scott). Despite their great talent in dramas and Plays, their gifted combination as a comedy team falls short in this effort. The story is of two Air Force fliers who's constant game of one up-man-ship is forever fueling their amorous conquests. So much so that even as they flow through their military careers, this game continues. While stationed in Asia during the Korean War, they suddenly put all their skills on high as they both fall in love with the same woman. Virna Lisi plays Julietta, a beautiful nurse who becomes their ultimate luscious target. Unfortunately, the game becomes serious as Ferris takes advantage of Scott's absence and marries Julie. Indeed, twenty years elapses and into their lives re-enters Col. 'Tank' Martin. Now the table is set for a rematch as Ferris's wife feels so neglected, she's willing to allow Tank to win her away from a husband who has become a 'Gopher' for the commanding general (Carroll O'Connor) Gen. Maynard C. Parker. The movie is complete with high flying antics, double-crosses and comedic situations which enliven the film. It's good laughter, combined with semi-serious drama. Eddie Ryder plays Sgt. Gilroy a trusted, but otherwise slap-stick side kick to Curtis. The result is a good film, interesting, humorous and in many ways a Classic in its own right. ****

"Not With My Wife, You Don't" is the sort of film that probably played much better back in the day. Today, it just seems tiresome and boorish.

The film finds Tony Curtis in the Air Force. He's apparently very good at protocol and is a bit of a star within the service. But because he's so efficient, he pays very little attention to his lovely wife (Virna Lisi). Then, in a lengthy flashback, you see how he and an Air Force buddy (George C. Scott) fought over her during the Korean War. And, eventually, Curtis' character tricks his friend out of the girl and marries her. Now, his old buddy is returning for a visit and Curtis is worried the guy will make the moves on his wife.

Seeing two rutting pigs chasing after a lady--lying, cheating and being disingenuous jerks all the while--is NOT my idea of a fun film. It's downright tedious. I didn't care about the characters....and I just felt very bored by the whole thing. A huge misfire.