The Mating Game

Energetic romp overseen by that veteran of slapstick George Marshall. This is not his best, but he does keep things moving. Enjoyable for the most part if you can get past owlish Tony Randall as the answer to a maiden's dream (Debbie Reynold's). He certainly looks the part of an IRS collections tiger, but it's a stretch in the romance department. Lots of barnyard innuendo as earthy farmer Paul Douglas and his obstreperous family manage a living outside the money economy. He barters things in shrewd fashion, while enjoying life's simple pleasures. That is, until snobby neighbor neighbor Philip Ober sics the IRS on him in an attempt to grab his property after Douglas refuses to sell.

Really clever premise, with a provocative subtext that pits the older agrarian way of life against the modern complexities. Bureaucrat Randall must collect a lifetime of back taxes from throw-back Douglas who, of course, has never dealt in money. But Randall, all officiousness, has never encountered the likes of the artful farmer and his bursting-with-life family that keep him perpetually off-balance. At the same time, comely daughter Reynolds works her wiles in typical spirited fashion. Some funny set-ups, especially when the barnyard critters turn on the hapless bureaucrat.

However, some of the slapstick goes on too long for my liking, suggesting that Marshall is indeed past his prime. Nonetheless, Douglas is near perfect as the good-natured hick, while Reynolds manages the spunk without too much excess. Look for outlaw biker Bill Smith as a muscle-bound rowdy, and of course the great Fred Clark in one of his typical bah-humbug roles. All in all, there are some genuine guffaws, but in some ways the movie is more interesting than anything else. Come to think of it, comedy aside, the movie can be viewed as a must-include at any hippie or Libertarian film retrospective.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Americans especially were more concerned about taxes than at any other time. At least, that's what Hollywood might lead one to believe, based on the number of films it turned out in those years with tax-related themes. Of course, we should be concerned about taxes. But, comedies such as "The Mating Game" helped put taxes into perspective. Toss in doses of romance, good-naturedness, neighborliness, friendships, and resentment and greedy wealth, and one has the makings of an entertaining and funny movie.

This film is an American version of the Larkin family. It's based on a 1958 short novel, "The Darling Buds of May," by British author H.E. (Herbert) Bates. In the book, the Larkins reside in rural Kent, the southeastern most county in England. Canterbury is located there. Yorkshire Television produced a TV series that ran from 1991 through 1993 in England under the original name of the book. This American adaptation made significant changes, mostly to accommodate for the culture differences. So, the setting here is in rural western Maryland. Apparently it was all shot in the MGM studios in California.

All the cast are excellent in this farcical story. Another reviewer thought Tony Randall was miscast as Lorenzo Charlton, but I agree with others who saw him as the perfect reticent and reluctant object of romance for Debbie Reynolds' Mariette Larkin. The two ogres in this film are played by Fred Clark (as Oliver Kelsey) and Philip Ober (as Wendell Burnshaw). They were a couple of the best character actor villains in those days. The chasing scenes involving Mariette are a lot of fun, and the exchanges with Lorenzo over taxes are very funny. But two actors stand out – Paul Douglas and Una Merkel as Pop and Ma Larkin. They steal every scene in which they appear.

This was indeed a fine performance by Douglas, who often played tough guy roles or serious parts in films. It was his last film. Douglas died a few months after this film came out. He suffered a heart attack at age 52.

People who want all the details of movies to make sense or to be realistic may not enjoy this film. But those who love comedy will get many smiles and laughs from "The Mating Game."

Lorenzo Charlton (Tony Randall) is an IRS agent from the city (Baltimore) who does things by the book. He is sent to audit a farmer known as Pop Larkin (Paul Douglas), who has never filed a tax return. Charlton, who is dubbed "Charlie" by the affable Larkin clan, should be impervious to the good-natured disposition of his target, but the Larkins have a secret weapon---their wholesome daughter, Mariette (Debbie Reynolds).

Randall's Charlie is cut from the same cloth as Felix Unger, but he's less neurotic. His life is governed by rules and laws and orderliness. But he is no match for the charms of Mariette, or the Larkin family as a whole, who live a life of gentle harmony with nature and their neighbors. Their only rule is the Golden Rule. And they have little use for money or taxes, since they use barter in most transactions. This is a challenge for Charlie, who tries to monetize their bartering history.

"The Mating Game" belongs to the same romantic comedy genre as the Doris Day/Rock Hudson films, which also featured Tony Randall. This is pure entertainment. The odd coupling of Randall and Reynolds works well, which should be no surprise. This film is fashioned from fluff and slapstick, and they are two of the best comedic actors of their time and are very adept at physical humor.

The Larkins own a farm in a Maryland area which has become home to the ultra-rich. Mariette Larkin (Debbie Reynolds) is their oldest offspring. Their rich neighbor Wendell Burnshaw wants them out and decides to call up the IRS. Tax collector Lorenzo Charlton (Tony Randall) discovers that Pop Larkin has never filed a tax return and sets out to collect all the back taxes. Anybody who has more than $600 annual income has to file but Lorenzo has trouble showing that Pop has any income at all since he barters for everything. Mariette falls for Lorenzo and the Larkins scheme to keep him at the farm.

Debbie Reynolds is at her energetic self. There is fun with the premise. Tony Randall could do more to promote the romantic chemistry. He's playing a stick in the mud and it lasts too long. There are a couple of moments when he needs to give in to her a lot easier. He needs to show his lust for her in a bigger way. She's doing most of the work. He needs to match her in some way. There is also the It's a Wonderful Life ending which is cut short. I'd prefer the It's a Wonderful Life ending except the church folks should pay the bill directly. Even the kids could throw in their flower money. It's a more meaningful solution. Overall, Debbie Reynolds works hard to not let the wacky fun fade by her will power and the barn fight is oddly slapstick hilarious. It's lovely and light fun.

The film itself was not particular memorable but you have to watch it for Debbie Reynolds alone. In this comedy/romance film Debbie Reynolds plays a young, and very pretty farm girl tomboy with more spunk than tough guy James Cagney or Clint Eastwood could ever display. The picture quality is from an era (1950's - 1960's) that I wish film producers would bring back as the color is most brilliant, clear, crisp, and the landscape scenes picturesque.

Debbie Reynolds was a perky and beautiful 27 years old when she filmed this comedy/romance, and even after most recently being cheated on by her then famous husband Eddie Fisher who she had two (2) children with, her on screen presence hid her personal relationship issues she was then struggling with addressing.

There is a great list of supporting actors such as Paul Douglas, Tony Randall and Fred Clark. It is a simple plot and the comedy is not than funny, but what makes this film so special is how director George Marshall brings this quaint picture to life with a memorable performance by both Debbie Reynolds and Tony Randall.

I can watch this film over and over just for Debbie Reynolds alone, but also as this era of film making and the picture quality is from a forgotten era but deserving of a more memorable one. I give the film a 7 out of 10 IMDB rating.