"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
