Phffft (1954)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Mark Robson

Writer:

George Axelrod (screenplay)

Release Date:

10 November 1954 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

Don't Say It! See It!

Plot:

After eight years of marriage, Robert and Nina divorce. He takes up with his womanising Navy buddy Charlie...

Plot Keywords:

Divorce | Marriage | Rambling | Radio Studio | Folding Bed

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Judy Holliday	...	Nina Tracey nee Chapman
Jack Lemmon	...	Robert Tracey
Jack Carson	...	Charlie Nelson
Kim Novak	...	Janis
Luella Gear	...	Mrs. Edith Chapman
Donald Randolph	...	Dr. Van Kessel
Donald Curtis	...	Actor Rick Vidal aka Dr. John Van Kessel
Arny Freeman	...	Language teacher
Eddie Searles	...	Tommy

Runtime:

88 min (TCM Print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

West Germany:16 (nf) | Finland:S | USA:Approved (PCA #17109, Adult Audience)

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Columbia Pictures approached George Axelrod to produce a film version of his very popular play, "The Seven Year Itch," but the film rights were tied up as long as it was running on Broadway. He instead offered them "Phffft!"--- an earlier play of his dealing with a similar subject.

Goofs:

Continuity: Nina's martini glass moves from one hand to the other several time when she and Charlie are drinking martini's at the bar and again on the sofa

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Lady with the Torch (1999)

Screwball Remarriage, 50's Style

Almost all US sex comedies of the 50's & 60's are dated now by a quaint leering approach to sex & marriage, not to mention the costumes, hair, settings. But the remarriage theme will always be ripe for romantic comedy fun. Here, George Axelrod got his start. He later wrote screenplays for "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter," "Breakfast At Tiffany's," "Goodbye Charlie," and in a dark mood, "The Manchurian Candidate." His style is comparable to Preston Sturges, using wit to slice through the social conventions. Judy Holliday & Jack Lemmon were a wonderful match. Judy could play an "everywoman" to Jack's "everyman" as in "It Should Happen To You." She could surprise & bedevil him with her mix of ditzines & intelligence. Their comic timing together seems effortlessly perfect. This film should be remembered more fondly.