I'd Rather Be Rich

Two of entertainment's best singers, Andy Williams and Robert Goulet, square off over the affections of Sandra Dee in this delightful film. This is NOT a musical, but some great songs are seamlessly woven into a comedy made even better by the enjoyable performance of Maurice Chevalier.

Williams and Goulet show their talent is not limited to singing with some pretty good acting. Today it seems most romantic comedies feature bedroom scenes, rough language and vulgarity, but you will find this movie to be just "feel good" entertainment.

If you watch this movie before you go to bed, don't be surprised if you wake up feeling good and humming "We're Almost There", or "I'd Rather be Rich".

Delicious, fantastic movie, reminds you of the old-fashioned screwball comedies but with a flair of beauty and pure fun! The cabin sequence is, of course, the best, but everything from beginning to end makes you laugh and truly can be described as a pleasant escapism.

Music from three of the hottest singers at that time also tend to lend a large touch of class to this genre. One of the best released in 1964.

The interaction between Maurie Chevalier and Hermine Gringold was also very cleverly done and not overdone. The fact that she, in a way, "won" the battle of wills in the end brings about a cheerful factor in what is otherwise considered a formula situation.

One of the other better parts of the picture, of course, was the "fist" fight by Andy Williams and Robert Goulett. Amazingly enough, through all the punches, very little bruising and more teamwork involved than anything else.

And of course, you can't overlook the amusing seasoned actor, Charles Ruggles, whose stuttering and homey voice always makes me smile. :)

This is one of my all-time favorites and I am NOT a big fan of musicals (per say). The story has a good plot and the actors were very comfortable in their roles. Maurice most especially seemed to show that he had a blast with this one.

Put it on DVD immediately!

I loved this film. No special effects, no flashy camera-work, just well-written characters, story, and dialog, instantly charming!

The characters were well-rounded and complex, not like the unlovable stereotypes found in today's romantic comedies. The jokes were well-paced. Actors delivered excellent performances. Directing was simple, not for showing off, just for telling a story.

AND there was no hint of sex or rudeness anywhere. Just good clean-and hopelessly funny!-humor. I laughed SO hard! (And didn't feel guilty for doing so!) This is the kind of movie we need today! No gross-outs no sex scenes, no rude dialog, just pure, innocent fun!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Old comedies are the BEST!

From its opening credits with the film's two male costars, Andy Williams and Robert Goulet, whose fans of their vocal abilities keep them busy to this day, crooning "I'd Rather Be Rich" to pert and pretty Sandra Dee, looking ultra-glamorous in one of the Jean Louis creations leaving no doubt that her character was a young lady of wealthy privilege, this Ross Hunter confection is a glorification of luxurious living in every frame.

As other postings suggest, this one boasted a cast who seemed to enjoy the nearly impossible task of suspending our disbelief at the scriptwriters' fanciful whimsies. Mr. Hunter always candidly disavowed any intention of putting anything approximating a recognizable reality on the screen and for this one he made sure that the jewels, the gowns, the Rolls-Royces and all the other accouterments of life at its most opulent were on constant display. The end result may not merit high praise but, as a pleasant diversion, it's a pretty good example of Hollywood escapism in the mid-Sixties and I suspect that a video release would be a welcome treat.