Made in Paris

This thing was made in 1966, there were social changes a' coming. Heck, the Beatles and dozens of other Brit bands were here; fashions/makeup and social mores were changing fast. And here is our darling young gorgeous naive Ann Margret in the Gay Paree fashion world, fending off several inexplicably straight men dying to get into her lacy undies. Everyone wearing already dated huge Dairy Queen ice-cream-cone hairdos. An eye-goggling endless fashion shows of amazing, though already dated, 'Paris Fashions' (including a hideous hideous wedding gown at the end of the fashion show). And enough dead skinned animal fur to taint the Seine blood red for a year. Every other gown/coat/pantsuit was festooned with fur. Everyone smoking like MAD (and all that fur and expensive clothes worn in nightclubs so thick with nicotine you could hardly see them). Lots of I'm-not-that-kind-of-girl slap and tickle, lots of groovy and not dancing, some OK music of the time - this was made for ladies like my aunt, about 40, and still in love with Elvis years after he peaked. Long gloves, lots of up-do hair, amazing colors, exquisite set decorations (her hotel room - to. die. for.) Just watch this silly dated thing for the eye candy. It plays, and sounds, exactly like something Doris Day would have starred in (she turned it down, wisely, being a bit long in the tooth to play a beautiful young naive virgin being solicited by the three straight men in all of the fashion world.). A lovely Sunday afternoon time-filler. Not good, but not horrible.

Beautiful fashion model, salesgirl and assistant buyer Ann-Margret (as Maggie Scott) dates handsome boss' son Chad Everett (as Ted Barclay). When it's time to make out on the sofa, Ann-Margret hits Mr. Everett violently on the head with an "Objet d'art". Everett survives, but with a bandaged head. After the credits, Ann-Margret learns she is being transferred to Paris, where she'll work as a fashion consultant. It's a glamorous and exciting job. Ann-Margret is courted by famous fashion designer Louis Jourdan (as Marc Fontaine) and playboy reporter Richard Crenna (as Herb Stone). Everett also goes to Paris, probably because he regrets asking Mr. Crenna to look after Ann-Margret. Co-worker Edie Adams (as Irene Chase) tries to explain Mr. Jourdan needs sexual satisfaction, but Ann-Margret doesn't seem to understand...

Ann-Margret is an amazing beautiful woman, and director Boris Sagal provides opportunities to see her underclothing. Dressing and undressing scenes are a highlight of "Made in Paris". One standout moment has the leading lady flashing a sexy glimpse of upper thighs while getting up and going to do something impossible to remember unless you're not looking up her short nightie. You could almost see France, but all of this story was done in the US. Of course, you see nothing, but it's Ann-Margret. The actual story is incredibly dull. There is a dreadful "fashion show" segment with stuff Mr. Jourdan's character admits no woman is going to wear. Ann-Margret has a lively dance segment, but this film otherwise wastes its star. The question, "Will her virginity remain intact until just after the closing credits?" is answered.

*** Made in Paris (1966-02-09) Boris Sagal ~ Ann-Margret, Chad Everett, Louis Jourdan, Richard Crenna

Overall, this grab-bag of 60s genres really doesn't work very well. The MGM gloss is clearly evident, however, and some of the set pieces are not to be missed.

Two-thirds of the way through this flick, I realized that I had lost interest, mainly due to weak characterizations, and stupid plot contrivances. The AM dance number and subsequent vocal come out of nowhere - this is definitely an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink script.

AM's performance is unsubstantial, although LJ provides his usual touch of sophistication. RC and CE are completely inconsequential.

Recommended only for set and costume design......and perhaps for the chance to see AM in her prime.

Ann-Margret is simply irritating trying to play a naive and coy young lady wandering into Paris for her very first time with two (2) men both trying to woo her affections. I could not help but compare it to the earlier 196 film Gidget Goes to Rome starring James Darren, and Cindy Carol which was a more genuine adorable movie for young first time lovers.

Made in Paris was a big disappointment. It also reminded me of any number of Jerry Lewis's 1960's slapstick films. So for a so called Romance genre film it tanked big time.

I give it a lowly 4 out of 10 IMD rating.

Made In Paris is not referring to something that happens to Ann-Margret while in Paris. Not that there aren't three men willing to take on that assignment. No in fact it refers to Ann-Margret's first assignment taking over as a department store buyer in place of Edie Adams who is going to get married. No Ann's in Paris to get designer clothing for her store with that all important label in the fashion industry.

The three men in her life are designer Louis Jourdan, reporter Richard Crenna and the son of the store owner Chad Everett. Jourdan and Everett are in heat over her, Crenna just sits back and offers cynical comments hoping the other two kill each other off.

Ann-Margret was just a wee bit too innocent for this comedy with pretensions of sophistication. Not the best films for any of her leading man for that matter either. But entertaining and pleasant enough for a Saturday afternoon.