It Started with a Kiss (1959)

A U.S. sergeant serving in Spain creates envy among his Air Force superiors and the Spanish locals when his brand new futuristic sports car and pretty wife arrive at the base.

Director:

George Marshall

Writers:

Charles Lederer (screenplay), Valentine Davies (story)

Stars:

Glenn Ford, Debbie Reynolds, Eva Gabor

2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Glenn Ford	...	Sgt. Joe Fitzpatrick
Debbie Reynolds	...	Maggie Putnam
Eva Gabor	...	Marquesa Marion de la Rey
Gustavo Rojo	...	Antonio Soriano
Fred Clark	...	Maj. Gen. Tim O'Connell
Edgar Buchanan	...	Congressman Richard Tappe
Harry Morgan	...	Charles Meriden (as Henry 'Harry' Morgan)
Robert Warwick	...	Congressman Muir
Frances Bavier	...	Mrs. Tappe
Netta Packer	...	Mrs. Muir
Robert Cunningham	...	The Major
Alice Backes	...	Sally Meriden
Carmen Phillips	...	Belvah

Storyline

Air Force Sgt. Joe Fitzpatrick meets and marries a beautiful model, Maggie Putnam, on the eve of being shipped off to Spain. When the new Mrs. Fitzpatrick waits to join her husband, she promises him in a letter "the most wonderful surprise that could happen to two people." Joe naturally assumes that she's pregnant, but the surprise turns out to be a fabulous new car that he won in a raffle. His new bride and car win him the scorn and jealousy of Spain's most famous toreador, not to mention the suspicions of his commanding officer.

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Plot Keywords:

hot | sex scene | spain | male female relationship | wine tasting | 

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Taglines:

It started with a kiss and ended like this in romantic Spain !

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The car that Glenn Ford wins is a 1955 Lincoln Futura, the one-off concept car that ultimately became the Batmobile on Batman (1966). The car cost Ford $250,000 ($2.37M in 2019), and unlike most concept cars at the time was completely driveable. It was originally pearlescent white, but that color did not photograph well, so it was painted red for this film. The car, as the original "Batmobile" was sold at auction for $4.62M in 2013.

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Goofs

At 1:34 Debbie Reynolds character says she didn't want to be an army wife. Her character is not an Army wife, but she is an Air Force wife. The two services were separated in 1947.

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Quotes

Lt. McCann: Where's Fitzpatrick?
Charles Meriden: He's taking a cold shower, Lieutenant.
Lt. McCann: Again? That's the third time today.
Charles Meriden: Well, some guys like to be clean.
Lt. McCann: Psychos.

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Connections

Referenced in You Bet Your Life: Episode #10.22 (1960)

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Soundtracks

It Started with a Kiss
Music by Rudy Render
Lyrics by Charles Lederer

User Reviews

Ford and Reynolds Not A Good Pairing: This is True MGM Casting

Glenn Ford is 43 and has been a sergeant for approximately twenty-five years. What is wrong with him?

Again, young female talent is paired with much older male talent at MGM -- a pattern that is so often repeated that it is the norm.

This could have been something that stood out, but instead follows the MGM pattern circumspectly. Reynolds is good in her role; why not give her a young male star to play off? Instead, MGM gives her a daddy, just like in most all other musicals they produced.

This is a waste of Debbie Reynolds' talent, although she does sparkle when she is alone and can sing.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

Spanish English

Release Date:

4 September 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

It Started with a Kiss

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,789,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arcola Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1