SEX AND THE SINGLE GIRL (1964) WEB SITE

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It is the revolutionary decade of the 1960's, and you are a successful career girl, a devoted young sex therapist (aka Helen Gurley Brown). The intriguing conundrum being "Does she or doesn't she" You have been ravaged by a salacious tabloid which thrives on malignancy!! It boils down to a choice between a sleazy columnist concealing himself as a married man, (Tony Curtis) or a confidant who is merely seeking a stilted arrangement, (Mel Ferrar) Your clothes are from Bonwit Teller which insinuates that you are masquerading a pretense of sophistication and elusive composure!! Such a wardrobe suggests a disconcerting demeanor about "Being Above Reproach" So!! as a result, sex with whom you think is a married man, (Tony Curtis) is just not in your cosmopolitan repertoire..but then again, he does that "Thing with the Ear"...We are not talking about putting his mouth over it like a pet terrier or a grandparent or something, we are talking about a "penetrating slither"... Lauren Bacall and Henry Fonda's marital problems are what instigate the plot in this movie!! Tony Curtis pretends to be Frank Broderick,(Henry Fonda's character) with ulterior motives to unearth a gossip ridden story about a prominent therapist's (Natalie Wood) virginity status!! An oversexed male who delves into the recreation of sexual depravity is callous in his rudimentary pursuit of "basic needs". These urges are best paralleled with feeding time at the zoo!! While you are at the zoo, you might want to check up on how this evolutionary ladder thing is progressing!! Cleverly receiving an invitation to her apartment, she (Natalie Wood) thinks this for purposes of acting as a therapist and assuming a surrogate role, anything to help, right? How foolish!! Tony Curtis winds up wearing an upper middle class woman's bathrobe (fondly reminiscing about the days of "Some like it Hot") and now!! it is time to get down to business!! The bottom of the earlobe is everyone's nemesis, and not just a sexual deviate's!! Heavy breathing on your ear, especially after a couple of martinis, gives your professional resolve all the longevity of a Popsicle on a hot July afternoon!! Your befuddled verbosity which contains an onslaught of analytical euphemisms is a subterfuge for your maverick curiosity, and that pejorative confusion inevitably translates to your desire for "Sex"!! Everyone lights a cigarette while they have another cigarette going already!! This precarious mannerism purports a potpourri of falsehoods everybody seems comfortable with!! Lying about things has now become second nature to people, as a matter of fact, it is kind of fun!! This allegedly married man you are cavorting with has a good head on his shoulders, but he is not thinking with his head...What he is thinking with is not very swift at all!! BELIEVE ME!! Such a lewd fiasco comprises the aggregate compendium of you as the prototype for woman's liberation in the 1960's!! Finally, recrimination has evoked a bittersweet awakening to you!! It is now become very obvious to you that first hand consequences are dreadfully different from that article you read in Reader's Digest" on "THE DON JUAN COMPLEX" To top it all off, you fall in love!! Natalie Wood is sensational in this role...Originally known as the adorable little girl on "Miracle on 34th St" not much has changed since then!! She may still believe in Santa Claus because he is the only man who keeps his promises!!

The movie "Sex and the Single Girl" has an amazing array of talent, Natalie Wood, Tony Curtis, Lauren Bacall, Henry Fonda, Mel Ferrar, and a whole list of others!! It depicts a scenario that the sexual revolution comes in blue and pink, and it is here to stay for good and keeps, it is just a matter of how effective and ubiquitous it will be on the various individuals involved!! Body parts like knees and ear lobes are vulnerabilities for the consummate carnal's double-entendre!! This film amusingly resonates itself to a common sixties style movie, and winds up having a matchmaker's version of a happy ending!! Most significantly, everybody has flippantly and metaphorically acknowledged that Eve ate the apple. the Greeks were indeed, perverted, and a person by the name of Sigmund Freud did actually exist!! Funny movie!!! Why? It is a comically realistic illustration of men's over active hormones that are incorporated into a screwball comedy!!...I liked this movie!!

CRITICA EN EL PERIODICO "ABC DE MADRID" (21-4-1965)

Para la graciosa película de Richard Quine, con ese tono de comedia a la americana tan grato de contemplar, con estupenda factura material y sin mayores ambiciones, se dio con un grupo de intérpretes que son su mejor adorno. En "La pícara soltera" anda Tony Curtis con sus alegres desvergüenzas; Natalie Wood, actriz encantadora, que le lleva el dúo a Curtis con preciosa desenvoltura; Henry Fonda y Lauren Bacall, maduros ya en su larga historia artística, que hacen una pareja veterana, desavenida y reñidora con una carga muy ingeniosa de matices cómicos. Está Mel Ferrer, suelto de compromisos femeninos "girovagante" de una en otra con esa aplomada soltura que le es habitual. Y aún asoma la estampa de nuestro viejo amigo Edwar Everet Horton, veterano de obras importantes y lejanas que trae con él un montón de recuerdos antiguos. "La picara soltera" es una obra alegre y enredadora, montada sobre ese ligero armazón intranscendente y vistoso en el que suelen ser maestros los realizadores americanos "La picara soltera", espléndida de fotografía, de escenarios, de movimiento, de chispeante bullicio, de ingenio cómico somero, pero de ruidosa eficacia, rumbea por ese mundo fácil y rico del horizonte americano de hoy, donde todo se mecaniza hasta un punto increíble de inocentes y graciosas complicaciones. Richard Quine y su grupo de artistas resbalan sin tropiezo en una sonriente cuesta abajo por las brillantes y ligeras imágenes de su película. Gabriel GARCÍA ESPINA

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La Vanguardia: Día de estreno (20-5-1965) Día critica (22-5-1965)

La moderna comedia cinematográfica americana, permanece fiel a unas características definidas que le han ganado un merecido prestigio y cuyas fórmulas están muy lejos de haberse apurado. Hay directores de primera línea que se han especializado en el género y son numerosos los actores y actrices que lo cultivan con inimitable maestría. Algunas de estas comedias —aunque casi todas suelen tener un nivel de calidad bastante considerable— han quedado como arquetipos de un estilo y de la categoría de una cinematografía. «La picara soltera», estrenada ahora en el Windsor, figura entre las mejores que hemos visto últimamente. Ha sido montada sobre un guión muy inteligente en el que el enredo y los eternos recursos del cine cómico se amalgaman con naturalidad. Se trata de divertir al espectador con ingenio y agudeza y esto supone siempre una labor de creación que no está al alcance de cualquiera, sobré esta trama argumental, Richard Quine ha realizado un film que es un prodigio de gracia e intención satírica. Gracias a una perfecta sincronización de la cámara con la acción y un diálogo que pone intencionado énfasis a la historia, ésta fluye ligera y chispeante, dinámica y variable y siempre jugosa y sugestiva. La fotografía en color y la música de Count Basie, están al exigente nivel técnico que impera en toda la cinta. Se relata el enfrentamiento entre una doctora en psicología y su paciente, periodista especializado en escándalos. El dúo de amor coincide con el momento de mayor complicación en las relaciones mutuas. El enredado ovillo se desenvolverá después con extraordinaria destreza y dará lugar a las situaciones más regocijantes de la cinta. En torno a la pareja protagonista se mueven otros personajes dibujados con trazos simples pero bien definidos, que dan mucho juego a la comedia. Al evidente atractivo de la historia hay que añadir las intencionadas alusiones de todo calibre e intención que se suceden con relampagueantes destellos de agudeza. Una vez más los americanos ponen en solfa sus costumbres o vicios más arraigados. Aquí reciben certeros mandobles las revistas de escándalos a través de deliciosas escenas en las que el gerente de una de estas publicaciones felicita paternalmente a sus redactores por el alto grado de difamación que han conseguido alcanzar en sus escritos. La psicología y los complejos sexuales son también enfocados de un modo ocurrente y travieso que no rebasa nunca los límites del buen gusto. Y en fin, toda la problemática nerviosa del país, que pasa sin transición dé la euforia a la infelicidad y viceversa, es caricaturizada con sutil ironía. Pero, como corresponde al estilo de la obra, todo ello sirve para divertir. El espectador ríe gozoso y siente en todo momento el cosquilleo reconfortante que provoca en él la soberbia lección de habilidad cinematográfica que ofrece Richard Quine. Esto se pone de manifiesto especialmente en el admirable aprovechamiento de las situaciones sin incurrir en el recurso dé la reiteración y en el montaje ceñido y esencial sobre el que descansan el dinamismo y la fluidez del relato. En su última parte, éste recurre a la desenfrenada carrera de varios vehículos en medio de atestadas autopistas y extrae de ella unos excelentes recursos cómicos: Parte fundamental de la producción es el capítulo interpretativo en el que se demuestra el gran director de actores que es Quine. Este ha recurrido a cinco figuras famosas precisamente en esta clase de películas. Tony Curtis muestra una gran seguridad y la posesión de un amplio registro de expresiones. Natalie Wood es, para nuestro gusto, la gran figura de la cinta. Su gracia y atractivo físicos quedan realzados por una mímica deliciosa y un estilo natural y ceñido, que hacen de su papel una creación memorable. Henry Fonda es el gran actor de siempre, sobrio y capaz de expresar sus reacciones con eficacia sobriedad. Laureen Bacall sigue poseyendo unas excelentes dotes de comediante que acredita una vez mas, y Mel Ferrer, en un papel de menos lucimiento, se desenvuelve con naturalidad. Una serie de actores de segunda fila completan el estupendo capítulo interpretativo de la película y añaden a ella nuevos motivos de elogio. J. PEDRET MUNTAÑOLA.

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A fun movie with a provocative name

The stars that this movie features promise and deliver. I have never seen a sweeter woman than Natalie Wood here. Tony Curtis is the tabloid bad guy first, who becomes the romantic fool later. Henry Fonda manufactures pantyhoses and is happily, and many times sadly married to Lauren Bacall, once his secretary. The plot is wonderfully built around the developing romance between Curtis and Wood and its intertwining with the tensions between Fonda and Bacall. Curtis develops a scheme to bring Wood to admit that she did or didn't (you know what), the results of which will be published in STOP!, the worst tabloid. After he falls in love with her everything changes, but the problem is that the scheme included Fonda, and this is further complicated by Bacall's temperament. The complication produces many comical situations you will enjoy.

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A Charmer

I've seen this one a few times over the years and wish it would come out in DVD. Natalie Wood was never more beautiful, and the battle of the sexes was never more fun. It's great to see a love story that doesn't resort to foul language or adult humor, but simply witty dialog and the vagaries of human nature.

Tony Curtis plays a tabloid reporter trying to get the goods on Helen Gurley Brown (played by Natalie Wood) and her personal life to find out if she actually knows anything about sex and relationships. To this end, he impersonates an acquaintance (played by Henry Fonda) whose having problems with his jealous wife (played by Lauren Bacall) so that he can pose as a patient and seek her advice.

The confusion caused by this impersonation just leads to more problems. However, this is just a sideshow to the reporter's seduction of Dr. Brown and the glorious mayhem that ensues.

Her constant comparisons of Tony Curtis to Jack Lemmon (Curtis' co-star in Some Like It Hot) will appeal anyone who's seen that classic.

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A Film do be Released in DVD Format

Despite all his critics,"Sex and the Single Girl" is a delight,a pure entertainment film with a marvelous cast giving very good performances. This movie deserves to be released in DVD here Tony Curtis and Natalie Wood are better than in "The Great Race".Henry Fonda found in Lauren Bacall one partner in the same caliber of Bette Davis or Katharine Hepburn and the two made a terrific team.Mel Ferrer contributes with funny moments in a rare comedy performance.The screenplay are witty and gave to us highlights like Quine homage to Billy Wilder during a Tony Curtis/Natalie Wood seduction scene.Of, Course Mr. Wilder is a renowned director,Quine don't have the same status but in this movie and several in his filmography he shows a great talent special for comedy and develop a friendship with the late Jack Lemmon who once said Quine is one of most underrated directors in this business.Mr. Quine bought to us:"Bell,Book and Candle","Notorious Landlady","Strangers When We Met" and "How to Murder Your Wife" plus "Operation Mad Ball" the movie Wilder saw and invite Lemmon for the Classic "Some Like Hot". Mr. Jack Lemmon and "Some Like It hot" are often celebrated in "Sex and the Single Girl".For all this reasons watched It!

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OMG, Joseph Heller wrote it!

Now I'm sorry I raced through this movie last night and told the DVR to go ahead and delete! I thought it was quite hilarious, in a screwball, self-referential, meta-fictional way! You've gotta love a film that continuously refers to how much Tony Curtis looks like Jack Lemon. I just never thought the studios allowed such tongue-in-cheek buffoonery on screen! Yes, Natalie Wood here is the most beautiful & desirable woman in the world. Henry Fonda does his gravitas routine to brilliant comic effect. Lauren Bacall is timeless & ageless in the role of a justifiably paranoid wife.

I keep thinking: who was the wit who concocted such a script? Joseph Heller, the author of catch-22, one of the most highly-acclaimed novels of the 20th century. This film is amazingly & woefully under-appreciated!

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Fun Movie with Touchy Subject Matter

There is something infectious about this comedy. The cast is about as perfect as you can get, but the subject matter was a bit awkward when compared to today's mores.

Before Carrie Bradshaw there was Helen Gurley Brown (Natalie Wood) a real life psychologist and businesswoman (she was editor of Cosmo for 32 years). Ms. Brown has just written a very controversial book about sex and the single girl (hence the title). It creates a firestorm amongst her male colleagues and her conservative patients. Tony Curtis is Bob Weston, a writer for a sleazy National Enquire-esque magazine called Stop. Bob wants to get an interview with Ms. Brown, but pretends to be a patient in need of marital counseling as a ruse. He uses his next door neighbors', Frank (Henry Fonda) and Syvia (Lauren Becall), volatile marriage as material. Of course a romance blossoms and then the normal confusion and hijinks ensue.

My issue with the film is the way Ms. Brown is portrayed. She is a befuddled, confused and weak female. She's also a terrible therapist. Despite writing a book on how a single girl can be successful, she immediately allows herself to become involved with a married patient. If I was the real Helen Brown, I would be appalled. Ms. Wood is gorgeous and I'm captivated by her screen presence, but she plays Ms. Brown as a woman who needs a man...the exact opposite of the book she wrote and my recollections of Ms. Brown in real life (mostly from reading her biography).

I understand this was set in the 1964 when views of male/female relationship skewed more towards male dominance, but it was still hard for me to accept that Ms. Brown could accomplish so much while being so desperate for a man...and a married one at that. Her therapy techniques violate every code of ethics you can imagine. Sure, it was a funny movie and I enjoyed it, but it left me feeling awkward at how simple women were portrayed.

The supporting cast is top notch and the movie's best selling point. Fonda and Bacall as the bickering neighbors are a treat. Mel Ferrer as Brown's fellow psychologist and potential love interest is hilariously smarmy and cocky. Fran Jeffries and Leslie Parish are attractive and funny love interests/secretary for Bob. Larry Storch appears in a cameo as a motorcycle cop during the finale's odd highway chase scene. Count Basie and his orchestra are here just to provide some gravitas, but don't really play any key roles.

There is a running gag about Tony Curtis wearing a woman's robe and everyone referring to him as Mr. Lemon. Curtis and Jack Lemon had starred in "Some Like It Hot" a few years before where they dressed like women. The gag was funny the first two times, but it got overplayed.

I have to say something about the chase scene. It seems that every romantic comedy in the 1960s had a chase scene. This one had a funny idea of the first three cars tossing a quarter to the toll taker. The last car leaves a dollar and takes the 75 cents. It was silly, poorly filmed, but made me laugh. Then there is another similar thing involving pretzels which I simply did not understand. I'm sure there was a point, but I missed it.

With this much talent, it was going to succeed and it does. I just wish Ms. Brown had been played a bit more wisely and not as such an easy mark for Tony Curtis' Bob Weston.

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A Fun Movie from Start to Finish

Some reviewers here take themselves much too seriously ! While not on a par with other romantic comedies like the Carole Lombard classic "My Man Godfrey" or "Call Me Madame" with Vera Ellen and Ethel Merman , THIS IS AN EASY GOING , SEXY , LIGHT HEARTED treatment of romantic relations and perceptions of them . It does not pretend to be something out of Jane Austin . That being said , the chemistry between Fonda and Bacall is delightful ; never have I enjoyed Bacall more . Wood's versatility shines here as well , her chemistry with Curtis being on a par with Monroe's . My one criticism is the over long chase scene at the end , but that has nothing to do with the quality of acting or dialogue . Remember , this is 1964 , before the trauma of Vietnam really took hold . Enjoy the lightheartedness for what it is , and let the professional reviewers bask in their PC fantasies .

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Delightful Romp in Classic 60's RomCom Style

Really, what's not to like? I'd watch Natalie Wood read the phone book, and this flick left me wondering why Tony Curtis wasn't a bigger star, and why Henry Fonda and Lauren Bacall were relegated to second-tier parts (though their roles were prominent).

Wood plays Helen Gurley Brown, author of the hit book of the film's name, and Curtis plays a magazine editor of a successful, seedy magazine that thrives on digging up dirt on people. Curtis sets his sights on scandalizing the virgin Brown. The laughs are many and frequent, with numerous subtle and not-so-subtle puns sprinkled liberally throughout. On the not-so-subtle side,the opening scene with magazine employees meeting with the CEO in the Board Room continually plays off the concept of the magazine seeking to feed off the lowest common denominator of human indecency. Another example occurred as cars raced along the highway, a sign noted that the highway's extension would be opening in December 1960. That was struck through and replaced with dates in 1961, 1962, 1963, and 1964, all struck through and ultimately replaced with something like "to be determined". I can connect with that jab even today.

Watching the movie caused me to research the 1962 book. Interestingly, the movie was loosely inspired by the book. And I mean loosely. The book is somewhat of a how-to guide, whereas the movie is a fictional imagining of the life of a much-younger Helen Gurley Brown, who was 40 at the publication of the book but 23 in the movie. Likely the movie's title was largely intended to parlay off the book's popularity. Good marketing.

It was also interesting and melancholy to note that the longtime delightful bit-part actress who played Emma Brand/Watson on the Andy Griffith Show, Cheerio Meredith, and had a minor role here, died on release day, 12/25/64. Burt Mustin also had a bit part. I always find it interesting to see actors such as Meredith and Mustin, who I mostly know from varying TV roles.

As usual, I loved seeing the sets and 60s style. I'm fascinated with the decade and enjoy seeing society's attitudes, fashions, and ideals in that era. This film brings that to life in spades.

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