I would really like to thank the other IMDB commenters and critics for drawing attention to this film. It was probably one of the best laughs I've had in quite a while!
Aging, wealthy playwright Myra (Joan) rejects auditioning actor Lester (Jack Palance) for her new play. He's not attractive enough and she simply doesn't believe him in the part. ("He has to be the kind of charm boy that makes every woman sit right up in the audience and go ummmmmmmmmmm!") So he's out. Upon hearing the reasons for his dismissal, he barks "I suggest you go to the art gallery in San Francisco and look at the oil painting of Casanova! He had big ears, a scar over one eye, a broken nose, and a wart on his chin!" Then he storms out of the theater. Myra's hooked!
The play becomes a phenomenal success -with the help of another actor in the part- and Myra couldn't be happier. Happenstance occurs when the two meet on a train shortly after. They play cards, talk, and visit an acting school for wrestlers. Myra's in love. She throws a society party to show her affection for Lessie but he's a no-show and won't answer his phone. In true 'Joan' fashion, she takes off in her fabulous gown and tears in her eyes, determined to find out what's happened. (Of course he's up to something!) They meet in the hallway of his apartment and wind up in an embrace on the stairs. ("Without you I have nothing!" she breathes.) They marry and have more parties.
The film then descends into cheap suspense as we see Myra -channeling Barbara Stanwyck in "Sorry, Wrong Number"- discover Lester's sinister plans for her early demise. Myra's discovery of the plot to bump her off is a gut buster! Her dropping of the record with the conversation when trying to hide it in a book (!) is even more hilarious! Actually, it's almost difficult to say which sequence provides the best laughs. Myra's nightmares of how Lester will murder her, her own 'plot' to frame Lester, the 'accidental' falling down the stairs to get the action going (a scene worthy of Carol Burnett I might add), the stepping on a poor alley cat's tail during a crucial 'quiet' moment, or the written agenda of the fatal night's activities all provide a random viewer with a smile that will last for days. However, I do have a special place in my heart for the final scene: she walks down the alley and into the street, bravely facing dawn, and removes her scarf (her head held high) to reveal her hair still in place......after running for her life and sweating like a bull for the last half hour! Do not be fooled by all those who declare this film taut, suspenseful, and far from camp! They probably all had just watched "Trog"!
Aging, wealthy playwright Myra (Joan) rejects auditioning actor Lester (Jack Palance) for her new play. He's not attractive enough and she simply doesn't believe him in the part. ("He has to be the kind of charm boy that makes every woman sit right up in the audience and go ummmmmmmmmmm!") So he's out. Upon hearing the reasons for his dismissal, he barks "I suggest you go to the art gallery in San Francisco and look at the oil painting of Casanova! He had big ears, a scar over one eye, a broken nose, and a wart on his chin!" Then he storms out of the theater. Myra's hooked!
The play becomes a phenomenal success -with the help of another actor in the part- and Myra couldn't be happier. Happenstance occurs when the two meet on a train shortly after. They play cards, talk, and visit an acting school for wrestlers. Myra's in love. She throws a society party to show her affection for Lessie but he's a no-show and won't answer his phone. In true 'Joan' fashion, she takes off in her fabulous gown and tears in her eyes, determined to find out what's happened. (Of course he's up to something!) They meet in the hallway of his apartment and wind up in an embrace on the stairs. ("Without you I have nothing!" she breathes.) They marry and have more parties.
The film then descends into cheap suspense as we see Myra -channeling Barbara Stanwyck in "Sorry, Wrong Number"- discover Lester's sinister plans for her early demise. Myra's discovery of the plot to bump her off is a gut buster! Her dropping of the record with the conversation when trying to hide it in a book (!) is even more hilarious! Actually, it's almost difficult to say which sequence provides the best laughs. Myra's nightmares of how Lester will murder her, her own 'plot' to frame Lester, the 'accidental' falling down the stairs to get the action going (a scene worthy of Carol Burnett I might add), the stepping on a poor alley cat's tail during a crucial 'quiet' moment, or the written agenda of the fatal night's activities all provide a random viewer with a smile that will last for days. However, I do have a special place in my heart for the final scene: she walks down the alley and into the street, bravely facing dawn, and removes her scarf (her head held high) to reveal her hair still in place......after running for her life and sweating like a bull for the last half hour! Do not be fooled by all those who declare this film taut, suspenseful, and far from camp! They probably all had just watched "Trog"!