Arrivederci, Baby!

I know nothing of the history of this movie, but I suspected it started out with this pitch: "Let's do 'How to Murder Your Wife' but with Tony Curtis.'" While there was no actual murder in the aforementioned movie (made a year earlier), there are several in this one. Curtis has a fine time playing his dark side in the first half of the movie and mostly getting away with it. The last half of the movie goes nowhere, though, and Nancy Kwan really has nothing to do in the movie, even if she is on the video box cover nowadays. However, Zsa Zsa Gabor has her one perfect, if brief, role of her otherwise inexplicable career in the first part of the movie.

Saw 'Drop Dead Darling' as part of my Tony Curtis completest quest after being recommended many of his films here in the recommended for you section. It was not something that was intended initially but actually it has proven to be a generally worthwhile experience, even with a couple of missteps.

While there were and are better actors about and he didn't always look comfortable in his early films, Curtis was always immensely likeable and had a charming charisma with many good and more performances under his belt. The cover and premise (haven't admittedly read the source material) were great and the cast is a talented one, have always liked Lionel Jeffries in particular.

'Drop Dead Darling' turned out to be watchable with enough strengths to keep it afloat, but it did disappoint and could have been much better.

The cast is its main selling point and the best thing about it. Curtis exudes both charm and creepiness in a despicable "Bluebeard" sort of role, with enough to him to make it easy to see what others see in him, one doesn't associate with him. Rosanna Schiaffino is an alluring presence and is no slouch in the acting stakes. Jeffries could have had more to do but makes much of what he has. Zsa Zsa Gabor, in briefly but one of her better performances actually, and Anna Quayle bring some welcome very funny light-heartedness, especially Quayle.

Other than those two's scenes, the other highlight is the tense chemistry between Curtis and Schiaffino, followed by the croquet match. There are enough moments of amusement, especially in the first half. 'Drop Dead Darling' looks good, with beauty and atmosphere in the way it's shot.

However, 'Drop Dead Darling' fares less good in the darker elements, where there is not enough tension or suspense let alone creepiness or surprises. It feels bland and sometimes tasteless, and some of the final act is aimless. Tonally the film feels muddled, mixing light hearted comedy with a dark undercurrent that jars too much and makes it all rather mean-spirited. The comedic scenes fare better but are similarly uneven and could have been more. While the cast are more than game, Nancy Kwan has practically nothing to do and makes no impression at all.

Found the script weak in spots, with some clumsy attempts at breaking the fourth wall. The direction is workmanlike at best with no real distinction or inspiration. The music does its job alright on its own, but it's also somewhat forgettable and didn't seem to fit particularly well or be harmonious with the film's tone. The pace can be dreary in the latter stages.

In summation, not bad but nothing special. The cast and some good scenes make it watchable, it's just let down by most of everything else. 5/10 Bethany Cox

Tony Curtis is Nick Johnson, a man who's made his living marrying rich women. His first two wives conveniently ended up getting killed and now he's looking for rich wife number three. However, this Italian beauty might be a problem...she's been doing the same! Now, you aren't sure who is going to survive...if either of them! And, if this isn't enough....Nick has a jealous girlfriend (Nancy Kwan) who shows up the day of his third wedding!

Much of the story is told through flashback scenes...some of which work very well and some of which make you cringe because they are so cheesy and kooky. It seems the filmmakers didn't quite strike the proper balance between story and silly interludes...something which worked out perfectly in one of Curtis' other films of the era, "The Great Race" (1965). Now I am not saying that "Arrivederci, Baby" is a bad film....just that it had some serious flaws which prevented it from being a lot better. In its final form, it's modestly interesting but also occasionally annoying...and still worth seeing if you can handle these moments.

Tony Curtis marries women for their money then kills them. But then he marries a beautiful Italian woman who does the same for her husband. Who will wind up on top?

Most negative reviews focus on how the man kills his wives but neglect the culpability of the woman. Figures. It's the sort of sexual discrimination we've been fighting all these years. Ignore the bigots who have one standard for men and another for women and have a blast.

The movie is actually hilarious. And Curtis has no shame. Early on, describing his life, he plays a little boy in short trousers. He's a delight.

His victims include Anna Quayle and Fenella Fielding, both known for their comedy work; and Zsa Zsa Gabor, who is eventually the funniest.

The primary scene-stealer, of course, as usual, is Curtis's manservant, played by Lionel Jeffries.

Lots of taboo subjects were being explored at the time this movie was made, particularly respect for death. "The Assassination Bureau" with Oliver Reed and Diana Rigg, and Sid Caesar's "The Busy Body" also fall into this territory. And, what may be my favorite movie of all time, "The Wrong Box" with Michael Caine.

The fact is, for the open-minded, who can laugh heartily at death, this movie is hilarious right up to the final scene, which leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Every time I watch it I skip that part

It's one of Tony Curtis' most successful comedies, counting laughs per capita.

Its really hard to get through this film because the main character, played by Tony Curtis, is despicable -- he is a serial killer! However, this is a comedy and there are scenes in the film that are truly funny. In one of the funniest bits is Zsa Zsa Gabor playing his first wife. She didn't act in much, but this role was perfect for her and is hilarious to watch. Even better is a scene with Tony's character reflecting upon his youth and his adoptive aunt, played by Anna Quayle (a hugely under-appreciated comic actress who appeared in a good handful of films in the late 1960s). The scenes with Quayle are worth watching just by themselves, the rest of the film isn't...