This Happy Feeling (1958)

On a stormy night, young woman asks another guest at party to rescue her from her lecherous boss and take her to the train station. When her rescuer suggests that she stop at his place to ... See full summary »

Director:

Blake Edwards

Writers:

Blake Edwards (screenplay), F. Hugh Herbert (play)

Stars:

Debbie Reynolds, Curd Jürgens, John Saxon

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Debbie Reynolds	...	Janet Blake
Curd Jürgens	...	Preston Mitchell (as Curt Jürgens)
John Saxon	...	Bill Tremaine
Alexis Smith	...	Nita Hollaway
Mary Astor	...	Mrs. Tremaine
Estelle Winwood	...	Mrs. Early
Troy Donahue	...	Tony Manza
Hayden Rorke	...	Mr. Booth
Gloria Holden	...	Mrs. Dover
Alex Gerry	...	Mr. Dover
Joe Flynn	...	Dr. McCafferty

Storyline

On a stormy night, young woman asks another guest at party to rescue her from her lecherous boss and take her to the train station. When her rescuer suggests that she stop at his place to get out of her wet clothes, she dashes from his car. The door she knocks on for help is the home of a retired actor and there she spends the rest of the night. He makes no passes and next morning she discovers young man who drove her from party is next door neighbor. The two men compete for her affections. Older man's zany live-in house-keeper and a seagull she has rescued provide comic relief.

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Plot Keywords:

based on play

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 September 1958 (France)

Also Known As:

Männer über Vierzig

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

The white brickwork fireplace surround in Preston's house has the mortar apparently sticking out between the bricks not recessed as usual. Either this is the work of the world's worst, most deranged bricklayer (deeply inappropriate for such an upscale house) or the set builders have simply taken a plaster cast of a brick wall and painted it white.

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Soundtracks

"This Happy Feeling"
Words and Music by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans

User Reviews

Cute comedy with a cast full of pros

This is not the most sophisticated comedy in the world but it has a sweet breezy charm and is loaded with enjoyable performances.

Set in the Connecticut countryside the film stars Curd (here billed as Curt) Jurgens usually found in heavy duty drama in a nice change of pace as a distinguished, respected and retired actor who is trying to be lured back to the stage. He crosses paths with Debbie, sprightly as always but fed up with men on the make, who he takes on as his secretary and complications ensue with misunderstandings aplenty.

Hardly new or novel what puts this over is the cast. Curt Jurgens is relaxed and charming and Debbie her usual perky self but where this really excels is the supporting players. Mary Astor, Gloria Holden, Hayden Rorke and even the usual stiff Troy Donahue all have little moments to shine and John Saxon certainly cuts an attractive and personable figure but there are two performers that stand out from the rest.

The criminally undervalued Alexis Smith is grace and style personified as the sly and sexy Nita Holloway, a famous actress and former flame of Curt's who is anxious to both relight the flame and get him back on stage. The other is Estelle Winwood as the daffy, eccentric housekeeper Miss Early. Her scenes with Curt have the snap that comes from years of experience and great skill. Both ladies are great!

Curiously obscure considering the director and cast catch up with this if you have the chance.