The Pleasure of His Company

American Movie Classics channel has just started showing this 1961 flick, and I can't speak too highly of it. A charming domestic comedy with some real dramatic tension, the film boasts a superb cast with the venerable Fred Astaire (yes, of course he dances...), the elegantly funny Lilli Palmer, and a befuddled Gary Merrill. Charley Ruggles as grampa positively steals the show as a sort of geriatrically comic Greek chorus; his brief rejoinders and observations always perfectly set off a scene. The production values, as well, are sumptuous; today's movies don't look as good as this 40-year-old number (the Technicolor process has it all over contemporary processes). Sparkling dialogue and wonderful acting make this story of a playboy father's disruptive effects on his daughter's impending wedding a delightful must-see. I just can't figure it out; how can a movie with no swear words, no violence, no nudity, and not a single sex scene be so captivating???

I have to say this has got to be one of my all-time favorite film! I first saw it on AMC and fell in love with it instantly. Ever since than, I've been looking for it on video when I had VHS (unfortunately I was unsuccessful). And now I'm searching for it on DVD (still unsuccessful).

Why does Paramount Pictures rarely release any of their old films on video/DVD??? It's so disappointing they place restrictions.

This is what used to be called a "drawing room comedy" Yes, everything feels like a period piece and, of course, it is. Fred Astaire plays a sort of playboy who hasn't seen his daughter, Debbie Reynolds, in 15 years. He arrives in time for her wedding to Tab Hunter and , it appears, to seduce her away from her plans. Hmm. The biggest surprise and it shouldn't have been. Is Lilli Palmer as Fred Astaire's ex wife and Debbie's mother. She is sensational. Elegant and funny. I remembered I saw her as the Mother Superior in "Conspiracy Of Hearts" and I always remembered her as the one who killed Sophia Loren in "Operation Crossbow" Here she lifts the proceedings from the moment she appears and that in itself it makes it a must.

PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY was a PLEASURE to watch from beginning to end and LILLI PALMER is totally ravishing and steals the show.. Fred may have been a bit too old and ditto Debbie but it worked anyway and it was charming, from beginning to end and Lilli was absolutely marvelous as usual..Charles Ruggles was hilarious as always and repeated his Tony award winning performance from the original stage play. I highly recommend this bright comedy and San Francisco,such a beautiful city, added to the pleasure of their company. This was not a musical and so Fred danced with his daughter and his wife as he should, a normal man, not a show dancer....but with grace and elegance as usual and he does sing a tiny bit while dancing with Lilli, his ex-wife whom he stills appears to be in love with, who wouldn't be. If you are looking for a Fred musical, look up one of the MGM or RKO films he did.

Well written, intelligent and elegant: Oscar Wilde in the sixties in San Francisco. It's a pleasure to see all the fine actors play out the nuances of their lines. Especially Lilly Palmer, who is absolutely wonderful and attractive.