If a Man Answers (1962)

Rich socialite Chantal marries Eugene, a photographer, and everything seems blissful until her envious friend attempts to break them up. In desperation, she turns to her mother, but the advice she receives may do more harm than good.

Director:

Henry Levin

Writers:

Richard Morris (screenplay by), Winifred Wolfe (from the novel by)

Stars:

Sandra Dee, Bobby Darin, Micheline Presle

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sandra Dee	...	Chantal Stacy
Bobby Darin	...	Eugene Wright
Micheline Presle	...	Germaine Stacy
John Lund	...	John Stacy
Cesar Romero	...	Robert Swan / Adam Wright
Stefanie Powers	...	Tina
Christopher Knight	...	Richard
Ted Thorpe	...	Florist
Roger Bacon	...	Messenger
John Bleifer	...	Mr. Riordan, Tobacconist
Pamela Searle	...	Model
Warrene Ott	...	Rita
Dani Lynn	...	Bunny
Charlene Holt	...	Lisa, Model
Gloria Camacho	...	Model

Storyline

Rich socialite, Sandra Dee meets and marries photographer Bobby Darin and attempts to "train" him to be the perfect husband. Look for a very young Stephanie Powers as the devious friend .

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Plot Keywords:

blonde woman | photographer | marriage | book | dog | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producer Ross Hunter originally announced this in 1961 as a vehicle which he hoped to cast with David Niven, Nancy Kwan and Claudette Colbert.

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Goofs

As Sandra prepares to arise from bed, she holds the sheet to her bosom; immediate next shot, a close-up on Bobby, her hand is on his shoulder; quick back to her, she is again (still) holding the sheet to her bosom.

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Quotes

John Stacy: I got there just in time this afternoon. Imagine, our daughter, alone with that seedy, poverty-stricken sex maniac. And Charlotte dressed in... Dressed, huh... supporting a bit of lace here and a bit of lace there. Oh...
Germaine Stacy: I remember a costume *I* had once. It was made of thin Chantilly lace. So delicate, so lovely, that past the third row you could not tell I was wearing anything at all. Such a waste.
John Stacy: There's no comparison...
Germaine Stacy: Then you saw me as the virgin bride of the Sea King. It looked like I was...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

The film ends with the French word "Finis" displayed on the screen, and after a slight pause, the words "We hardly think so." appear.

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Connections

References Flower Drum Song (1961)

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Soundtracks

If A Man Answers
Music and Lyrics by Bobby Darin
Performed by Bobby Darin

User Reviews

Wiles and stratagems

If A Man Answers was another attempt by Universal to make husband and wife Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee their junior league Rock and Doris. This comedy has Sandra as a rich, but free spirit who marries professional photographer Bobby Darin. It's the story of their early days of marriage.

A girl's best friend is her mother and Sandra has Michelline Presle of France for a mother. Let's say she knows how to keep a man dangling, interested, and wanting more. Sandra was raised in both France and America and her father is Bostonian John Lund. Even raised in Boston Lund's learned a few tricks himself.

Bobby and Sandra had their followings back in the day, both individually and as a couple. Their marriage and divorce was followed as obsessively as those of Liz Taylor for a slightly older set. Neither remarried when the marriage broke up. It was true love apparently but of a combustible kind.

Cesar Romero has a key role in one of Dee's stratagems that Darin turns on her. He's as charming as ever.

Fans of Bobby, Sandra, and both will approve.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

10 October 1962 (USA)

Also Known As:

If a Man Answers

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ross Hunter Productions, Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1