Come Fly with Me

Some would like to place significance in the content of Hart's final screen shot, her last before she became a nun in the "real" world the next year. Unfortunately, as we all know, films are not shot chronologically, so her tearful "farewell" signifies no deeper meaning. That concept is a bit too "Entertainment Tonight" for my taste.

Anyway, the film is a nicely produced cliché of its genre(s) - the-young-women-in-Europe-for-love, crossed with the stewardesses-as-Mid-60s-sex-symbols. The acting ranges from good (Hart and Nettleton), to miscast (Malden), to just plain grating (Tiffin).

The plot is silly, although it is mainly Tiffin's scenes that nearly derail the movie.

The one pleasure derived from viewing this period piece, is to appreciate the experience of flying commercial jets in the Golden Age. What was once truly a joy, is now akin to riding a Greyhound Bus in the sky. And when was the last time a "flight attendant" actually smiled at you?

The movie is worth a viewing. However, once is enough for me.

Just a pleasant, solid film with a breezy theme song and some attractive young performers, (and Karl Malden, too), in a film that goes down easy. There are a lot of such films that were made in the 60's and I miss them. It's interesting that this has been described by some posters as a comedy. It really isn't, but it's such a "nice" movie it seems like one. There's nothing wrong with curling up on the couch and just enjoying something that's easy to take.

It's also a last look at Dolores Hart as an actress. She's very beautiful, even by movies star standards, has a very expressive face and has a strong intelligent presence. She might have accomplished great things in the cinema but I'll bet those qualities came in handy in her new profession, one which I'm sure meant a lot more to her.

This movie is not an Oscar winner, but what it does have going for it is its charm. It is the perfect romantic comedy to watch with your loved one! This, in fact, is the best kind of romantic comedy. It is corny, but in the kind of way that invokes whimsical smiles and nostalgic thoughts of the happy days of youth.

The locations in the movie are beautiful as the airline crew and passengers travel throughout Europe. The perspective is almost unique: nearly the entire movie is filmed aboard plane.

But the charm of the movie is by far the biggest reason to watch it. One can view and enjoy it with the same suspension of disbelief as was possible with many of the musicals of the 1940s and 50s. The movie is predictable and not a critical success. But in view of the fact that the movie's title tune was later covered by Frank Sinatra; also, considering that "Come Fly With Me" was Dolores Hart's last movie before religious life, it is a shame that this movie is not available on VHS, at least. How could it have been overlooked?! Come on, guys! You can do better than that!! Give us what we're asking for!!

This is a super frivolous fun fictional film epitomizing some of the spirit of the 1960's. The movie almost glorifies the likes of sexist behavior and smoking in public including on airlines. These were indeed the days of the friendly skies,when passengers and air crew could seemingly parade on and off airplanes at their leisure. Three charismatic air hostesses have various romantic adventures back and forth on international flights including when in Paris and Austria. I found this picture engaging, humorous and nostalgic with an excellent cast and very good direction:

8/10.

I adore this 1963, bijou film so much. The opening song 'Come Fly With Me', sung by Frankie Avalon, takes us on the start of the energetic, whirlwind, globe-trotting highs-and-lows of three all-American gals looking for love.

Yes, the film is now dated, and one could say a little 'sugary', but it has some good comic moments and is actually quite a lot of fun. The film score isn't too bad either, and Lois Nettleton shines in her role as 'Bergie', with fun performances from Karl Malden, Carl Boehm and Dolores Hart, as snobby Donna Stewart.

I hope it comes out on DVD someday...if you see it on TV have a look - you just might enjoy it!