Love Is a Ball (1963)

Director:

David Swift

Writers:

Lindsay Hardy (book)
David Swift (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

14 May 1963 (West Germany)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

The hilariously mad story of all the best things in life that are not free... and the one thing that definitely is!

Plot:

Etienne makes a good living out of marrying off poor but titled young men to rich but untitled young ladies...

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel | Based On Book

Cast

Glenn Ford	...	John Lathrop Davis
Hope Lange	...	Millicent 'Millie' Mehaffey
Charles Boyer	...	M. Etienne Pimm
Ricardo Montalban	...	Duke Gaspard Ducluzeau
Telly Savalas	...	Dr. Christian Gump (Millie's uncle)
Ruth McDevitt	...	Mathilda
Ulla Jacobsson	...	Janine
Georgette Anys	...	Mme. Gallou
Robert Bettoni	...	Milkman
Mony Dalmès	...	Mme. Fernier
Laurence Hardy	...	Priory
Jean Le Maitre	...	Carlo
André Luguet	...	Maurice Zoltan
Jean Parédès	...	Freddie
Redmond Phillips	...	Starcy
Erika Soucy	...	Gretl
Aram Stephan	...	Gallou
Olga Valéry	...	Mme. Giardin
John Wood	...	Julian Soames
Jean-Pierre Zola	...	Mueller

Directed by
David Swift

Writing credits
Lindsay Hardy		(book "The Grand Duke and Mr. Pimm")
David Swift		(screenplay) &
Frank Waldman		(screenplay) &
Tom Waldman		(screenplay)

Produced by
Harry Caplan	....	associate producer
Shirley Mellner	....	assistant producer
Martin Poll	....	producer

Original Music by
Michel Legrand

Cinematography by
Edmond Séchan

Film Editing by
Cathy Kelber
Tom McAdoo

Art Direction by
Jean d'Eaubonne

Set Decoration by
Fernand Bernardi

Costume Design by
Frank L. Thompson

Makeup Department
Jean Paul Ulysse	....	makeup artist
Gladys Witten	....	hair styles supervisor

Production Management
Michel Mombailly	....	unit manager
Eugène Nase	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Harry Caplan	....	second unit director
Patrice Dally	....	assistant director
Daniel McCauley	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Guy Rophé	....	sound recordist

Camera and Electrical Department
Wladimir Ivanov	....	camera operator

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Gladys de Segonzac	....	wardrober

Music Department
Jean Ravel	....	music editor

Production Companies

• Gold Medal
• Oxford Productions

Distributors

• United Artists (1963) (USA) (theatrical)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1967) (USA) (theatrical)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian | French

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France

Company:

Gold Medal

Goofs:

Factual errors: When the estate agent shows the villa to M.Pimm she quotes the monthly rental at 7,500,000 francs. In 1963 at the exchange rate of 4.901 francs to the US dollar that would be the equivalent of 1.53 million US dollars per month. In 1963 that villa may have been valued at 1.53 million but would hardly have rented for that much. Up to the introduction of the Euro EUR, many French people still counted in and spoke in "anciens francs." So 494 anciens francs were worth 4,94 nouveaux, or the number of anciens francs divided by 100. The "nouveau franc" was introduced on 1 January 1960. In this case 7.5M anciens francs would equal 75,000 nouveaux francs or $15,303, a much more reasonable amount.

A delightful light comedy that improves with repeat viewing.

This piece of light comedy is very under-rated by many of those that I have spoken to about it, and invariably improves upon second viewing.

The timing of Mr.Boyer's deliveries are impeccable. Those who are familiar with Telly Savalas in his tough-guy roles will be astonished at his performance here. Hope Lange gives one of her warmest performances in this movie; although playing a spoiled rich girl, she never loses our affection and sympathy.

The supporting cast members play their parts wonderfully, each one adding just the right flavouring to the mix.

Ricardo Montalban does so well (Maybe just a little too simple for a European noble fallen on hard times - but I think that is acceptable in this part, where they want humour, someone believably attractive without being a challenge to Ford), that we never for a moment want him to win the female lead, yet we are pleased that he does find a good match. His closing scenes restore our respect for him.

Glenn Ford is charming in a low-key fashion. Charming yet rugged, with principles. A good, strong partner for Miss Lange's character.

The closing scene between Lange & Ford never fails to leave me smiling.