The Knack... And How to Get It - 1965 ***

When I was about ten I caught a clip on one of my Dad's VHS's of Rita Tushingham running up and down the road telling 'Rayyype' at every possible moment. I never knew what film that clip came from, but not I've seen this, I do.

For a film that is so positively reviewed as me of the 'landmark' films of the 1960s I found it moderately funny, and just a bit silly. Colin, Tolen and Tom share an apartment, but that is about all they have in common. Tolen is a womanising chauvinist while Colin is calm and sensible. Tolen is so narcissistic that he believes he can teach Colin how to hook up with as many women as he does. This is 'The Knack'. Tom is neutral and doesn't really think much about anything.

Nancy is a skittish, frankly infuriating woman who bumps into them whilst they are out trying to purchase a bed and proceeds to take over all three of the men's lives (and apartment). I thought it was too obscure and too 'quirky' for its time, although I quite liked Michael Crawford not yelping 'Bettayyy' at every available moment. 

If you want a good 1960's film try something like 'Georgy Girl'. 

The Grass is Greener - 1960 ****1/2

An amusing and typically English film. Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr are the owners of a large stately home which they periodically open to visitors for extra money. One day Robert Mitchum appears and falls in love with Kerr, who reciprocates and rushes off to London with him for a few days under the pretence of visiting friends. Meanwhile, Grant (fully aware of the situation) has the pleasure of an old friend (Jean Simmons) who drinks too much, flirts too much, and is besotted with him.
It's quite farcical but very enjoyable and easy going - must watch.

Butterfield 8 - 1960 ****

I watched this straight after 'A Summer Place' and my goodness what a contrast in glamour for 2 films made just a year apart.

Elizabeth Taylor is as always breathtakingly beautiful, playing a good time girl (many would call her a call-girl) named Gloria, who struggles to maintain real relationships with the people around her that don't consist purely on where she can get her next fur coat or diamond bracelet from. Her close friend Steve is totally besotted with her despite having a girlfriend of his own who is fiercely jealous of Gloria. She also mingles with an assortment of unsavoury and dodgy men who treat her badly but always seem to deliver on the money/jewellery side which is the root core of all her energy.

Taylor does a wonderful job of this girl who, despite spending her time taking money from men, seems quite a pitiful and disturbed character with many problems in her life. You can see Taylor mirrored in many aspects, (especially the constant drinking) but she still manages to maintain a glamourous and exuberant existance.

The ending is really awful and quite upsetting, as the all familiar story of a girl who changes her life only when it's too late.

Watch it.