Kiss Them for Me (1957)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Stanley Donen

Writers:

Julius J. Epstein (screenplay)
Luther Davis (play)

Release Date:

10 December 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | War

Plot:

Three decorated Navy pilots finagle a four day leave in San Francisco. They procure a posh suite at the hotel and Commander Crewson...

Plot Keywords:

Pilot | San Francisco | Navy | Hotel | Candidate

Cast

Cary Grant	...	Cmdr. Andy Crewson
Jayne Mansfield	...	Alice Kratzner
Leif Erickson	...	Eddie Turnbill
Suzy Parker	...	Gwinneth Livingston
Ray Walston	...	Lt. (j.g.) McCann
Larry Blyden	...	Mississip
Nathaniel Frey	...	CPO Ruddle
Werner Klemperer	...	Lt. Walter Wallace
Jack Mullaney	...	Ens. Lewis

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:G | USA:Approved (certificate #18625) | Canada:PG (video rating) | Finland:S | Sweden:15 | UK:U

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Jerry Wald Productions

Trivia:

Ray Walston's first film.

Goofs:

Continuity: Although set in 1944, when Andy Crewson and Gwinneth Livingston are on the cable car, you can see vehicles in the background through the window which are obvious early '50s models. When the cable car stops to allow passengers to disembark, there is a 1952 Pontiac on screen throughout the stop.

Quotes:

Gwinneth Livingston: Do you love me Crewson?
Cmdr. Andy Crewson: I do, I love you.
Gwinneth Livingston: What kind of love?
Cmdr. Andy Crewson: All kinds. Sacred and profane.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Baby (2002/I)

Soundtrack:

Stompin' at the Savoy

Cary Grant and Jayne Mansfield--together?!

While I recently gave OPERATION PETTICOAT a positive review, I really didn't like this film even though it had so many similarities. Both were made just a few years apart, both starred Cary Grant and both were WWII comedies. However, the overall tone and style of the films were quite different. KISS HER FOR ME, overall, just seemed like a cheaper film--with poor writing, little energy and some VERY broad performances--even when compared to OPERATION PETTICOAT. I think that at least much of the blame for this lies in casting Jayne Mansfield. The combination of her ample talents and limited acting ability really made this A-budget film look like it came from a 3rd rate studio. Plus, there wasn't much chemistry or energy in pairing her with Cary Grant--an actor generally loved for his grace and class. It's sort of like pairing Sir Lawrence Olivier with Marjorie Main.