The Facts of Life (1960)

Middle-class suburbanites Larry and Kitty grow bored with their lives and respective marriages. Although each always found the other's manner grating, they fall in love when thrown together... See full summary »

Director:

Melvin Frank

Writers:

Melvin Frank, Norman Panama

Stars:

Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Ruth Hussey

Won 1 Oscar. Another 11 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bob Hope	...	Larry Gilbert
Lucille Ball	...	Kitty Weaver
Ruth Hussey	...	Mary Gilbert
Don DeFore	...	Jack Weaver
Louis Nye	...	Hamilton Busbee
Philip Ober	...	Doc Mason (as Phillip Ober)
Marianne Stewart	...	Connie Mason
Peter Leeds	...	Thompson - the Dry Cleaner
Hollis Irving	...	Myrtle Busbee
William Lanteau	...	Airline Clerk
Robert F. Simon	...	Motel Clerk
Louise Beavers	...	Gussie (as Louise Beaver)
Mike Mazurki	...	First Husband in Motel Room

Storyline

Middle-class suburbanites Larry and Kitty grow bored with their lives and respective marriages. Although each always found the other's manner grating, they fall in love when thrown together--without their spouses--on vacation. On returning home they try to break things off, only to grow closer. A holiday together will finally settle whether they should end their marriages.

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Plot Keywords:

marriage | vacation | fishing | husband wife relationship | young men's christian association | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bob Hope and Lucille Ball unsuccessfully tried to talk Desi Arnaz into making a guest appearance.

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Goofs

The clip of the jet flying to Acapulco is a reversed image, causing the airline name to appear backwards.

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Quotes

Kitty Weaver: [after Larry criticizes her for buying a rabbit instead of a chicken at the grocery store] IT WAS LYING DOWN!

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Connections

Referenced in What's My Line?: Lucille Ball (2) (1961)

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Soundtracks

The Facts of Life
Lyrics and Music by Johnny Mercer
Performed by Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé

User Reviews

Brief encounter in California

This surprising film was shown on TCM recently. Not having seen it, and not having other choice, we decided to take a look, and quite frankly, it was a surprise. The film, directed by Melvin Frank and co-written with his partner, Norman Panama, shows two stars that endeared themselves to the American public at their best.

The story is just a pretext and a vehicle for the stars. The plot kept reminding us of "A Guide for the Married Man", but that's all the comparison, because one has nothing to do with the other. In fact, this is a film made in 1960 when nothing too risky would be tackled for the screen, yet, it presents two straying adults who suddenly find an attraction where dislike existed before.

Bob Hope was the surprise in the movie. He doesn't have a chance for uttering his one liners, as the script doesn't allow it. It was one of the best films in which he appeared, in our humble opinion. Lucille Ball was an excellent comedienne, and she shows it on this film.

The interesting supporting cast makes the best with the material they were given to play. The excellent Ruth Hussey is seen as Bob Hope's wife. Don DeFore, plays Lucille's husband. Louis Nye is also seen in the film.

The film is light and will charm anyone wanting to spend some time in the company of some of America's best comic talent of the past.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 November 1960 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Facts of Life

Filming Locations:

Olympic Drive-In, 12109 W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

HLP

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1