Come September

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!

For some reason, this lightweight comedy from 1961 became something of an icon in India, where I come from. We were kids when it was first released but Bobby Darin's theme music became so popular that it was played practically everywhere for the next few years. I think the film was re-released three times between 1961 & 1964 in Bangalore, with the locally edited trailers mistakenly adding footage from other films of the era like Palm Springs Weekend! I first saw the film as an 8-year old in 1963, but had to wait 28 more years before I saw it as an adult - on British TV in 1991. On the whole, I like this film as a period piece of what some people call "Kennedy era entertainment" - lightweight, fluffy comedies that are nice to watch now and then.

"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

Come September contains few surprises in that it's a light comedy that represents its time (1961). You get the expected romantic complications, misunderstandings, scheming, and a suitable resolution. No drama here; you know how it will all turn out. But that's okay. When you watch a comedy like Come September, you would be disappointed if it didn't follow formula.

Come September has a few things to recommend it. All the actors do a fine job. Rock Hudson is the focus of the film and he holds it together. Gina Lollabrigida is sexy and funny; she plays her part with spirit.

In addition, the scenery--shot along the Italian Riviera--is beautiful. The villa where the story unfolds is perfect as the vacation home of a rich American businessman.

To top it off, in what other film do you get a joke about a drunken parakeet?

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.