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The Reluctant Debutante (1958)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
9 March 1959 (Sweden)
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Tagline:
MGM presents the Comedy-Romance in luscious COLOR!
Plot:
Jimmy and Sheila Broadbent (Rex Harrison and Kay Kendall), welcome to London Jimmy's 17-year-old daughter...
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Plot Keywords:
Debutante
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Drummer
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Ball
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Eavesdropping
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American Abroad
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Awards:
2 nominations
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User Comments:
Charming and witty
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Cast
(Credited cast) | Rex Harrison | ... | Jimmy Broadbent |
 | Kay Kendall | ... | Sheila Broadbent |
| John Saxon | ... | David Parkson |
| Sandra Dee | ... | Jane Broadbent |
 | Angela Lansbury | ... | Mabel Claremont |
| Peter Myers | ... | David Fenner |
| Diane Clare | ... | Clarissa Claremont |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
94 min | 96 min (TCM print)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Perspecta Stereo (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Finland:S |
USA:Approved (PCA #19004)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
For years John Saxon said he had been bothered by something about Sandra Dee during filming that he just couldn't put his finger on. Decades later he figured out what it was - because she'd lied about her age, she was only 14 years old.
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Quotes:
Sheila Broadbent:
What! David Fenner? Let me speak to him again. David, this is Sheila. About your mother, darling...
David Fenner: Well, I'm afraid she's dead, actually.
Sheila Broadbent: Yes, I know, darling, that's why I'm so sorry about asking you to give her my love.
David Fenner: I'm afraid I can't, because she's dead.
Sheila Broadbent: I know, darling, that's why I'm so sorry. It was such a silly mistake to make.
David Fenner: Well, she couldn't help it, actually.
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David Fenner: Well, I'm afraid she's dead, actually.
Sheila Broadbent: Yes, I know, darling, that's why I'm so sorry about asking you to give her my love.
David Fenner: I'm afraid I can't, because she's dead.
Sheila Broadbent: I know, darling, that's why I'm so sorry. It was such a silly mistake to make.
David Fenner: Well, she couldn't help it, actually.
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Movie Connections:
Remade as What a Girl Wants (2003)
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (13 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Reluctant Debutante (1958)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
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| Remade as 'What A Girl Wants'? | ariesborealis |
| Music help | Hobbitfeet0894 |
| Does Dee receive a horse as a gift | batstone |
| Duplicate music | cinicapr |
| balm on my soul | podcinema |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
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| Gone with the Wind | Bend It Like Beckham | My Fair Lady | What a Girl Wants | Pygmalion |
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Related Links
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| IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |
I am not sure why this film isn't more famous, as it was a very entertaining romantic-comedy. Considering that it was directed by Vincente Minelli and stars Rex Harrison, it can't help but be good. It's apparently good enough that the film was remade just a few years ago as WHAT A GIRL WANTS.
As the film begins, the cream of British society is readying itself for a long string of debutante balls--just as Rex Harrison's daughter from a previous marriage arrives from America (Sandra Dee). His new wife (played by his real-life wife, Kay Kendell) is having a disagreeable conversation with an annoying friend (Angela Lansbury) about these society dances when she feels compelled to announce that her step-daughter will be introduced to society at the next ball--even though the girl and her father have no interest in these stuffy affairs. But to please the step-mom, they go through with it. Unfortunately, Kay is pretty snobby and tries to arrange a marriage with an in-bred idiot and Sandra. At the same time, Kay is horrified that Sandra is falling for a lowly drummer with a lousy reputation (John Saxon). How all this is worked out to everyone's satisfaction is pretty funny and quite romantic. I think most of this is due to good writing and the nice gentle nature of the film. In fact, the longer I watched it, the more I liked it and found myself really being pulled into the story. It's a very good and often overlooked film--pity, as it really should be more widely seen.