Promises..... Promises! (1963)

After a drunken spree on a cruise ship, two women discover that they're pregnant, and set out to find who the fathers are.

Director:

King Donovan

Writers:

William Welch (screenplay), Tommy Noonan (screenplay)

Stars:

Jayne Mansfield, Marie McDonald, Tommy Noonan

Cast

Cast overview:
Jayne Mansfield	...	Sandy Brooks
Marie McDonald	...	Claire Banner
Tommy Noonan	...	Jeff Brooks
Mickey Hargitay	...	King Banner
Fritz Feld	...	Ship's Doctor
Eileen Barton	...	Girl in Doctor's office
Claude Stroud	...	Steward
Eddie Quillan	...	Bartender
Marjorie Bennett	...	Mrs. Snavely
Victor Lundin	...	Mrs. Snavely's Gigolo (as Vic Lundin)
T.C. Jones	...	Babbette, ship's hairdresser / Female impersonator

Storyline

After a drunken spree on a cruise ship, two women discover that they're pregnant, and set out to find who the fathers are.

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Plot Keywords:

big breasts | psychotronic film | man wears eyeglasses | female rear nudity | taking a bath | 

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Taglines:

You Read About Her In Playboy Magazine...Now See All Of Jayne Mansfield!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jayne Mansfield agreed to make her topless debut in this film - the first nude scene in U.S. films since 1934 because the misbegotten Will Hays "Production Code" outlawed it - because she was in a career slump at the time. She hadn't had a hit since Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957), and her longtime studio was getting fed up. Fox dropped her contract after yet another dud, the historical riff It Happened in Athens (1962). But the nudity didn't help her career. Though it did indicate where films were heading in respect to the policy against nudity. From that point on, U.S. studios started adding more and more nudity, ignoring the weakening power of the Production Code and the puritanical government group behind it.

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Quotes

Ship's Doctor: Now then, just dissolve this in an alcoholic drink and take it down.
Jeff Brooks: You mean to say that this pill is going to help me become a father?
Ship's Doctor: I have every reason to believe it will.
Jeff Brooks: Wow! What's in it?
Ship's Doctor: Well, let us just say it will accomplish a purpose. Immediately afterwards, however, a temporary state of amnesia may occur.
Jeff Brooks: Oh, amnesia?
Ship's Doctor: There's nothing to worry about.
Jeff Brooks: Oh, thank you, Doctor.
Ship's Doctor: You're very welcome. 'Bye.
Ship's Doctor: [recording his notes] Patient Jeffrey Brooks, professional writer, travelling on world cruise...

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Connections

Referenced in Roseanne: Promises, Promises (1993)

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Soundtracks

Fairy Tales
Music & Lyrics by Roberta Daye
Performed by Roberta Daye (Marie McDonald singing voice, uncredited)

User Reviews

Delivers what it promises! promises! but is static and unfunny

This movie is considerate: it delivers what it promises (Jayne Mansfield topless) twice in the first 5 minutes - so you don't really need to bother with the remaining 70. Mansfield has a sensational body indeed (breasts as well as legs), but the film is more static and unfunny that smutty and scandalous. Tommy Noonan's drunken routine gets tiresome fast, T.C. Jones' gay-hairdresser routine is even worse. *1/2 out of 4.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

August 1963 (USA)

Also Known As:

Promises! Promises!

Filming Locations:

S.S. Independence

Box Office

Budget:

$300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Noonan-Taylor Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1