source: Kiss Me, Stupid

Trailer—Kiss Me, Stupid

Kiss Me, Stupid

I just love this movie. Granted, a little too much time and space is given to Ray Walston early on as he over reacts and overacts to the idea that his wife might be deceiving him, but then filming began with Peter Sellers in the role and nobody would have complained then. Apart from that all is very good, turning brilliant as the grossly underrated Felicia Farr shines and the golden boy himself arrives playing a parody of himself. And if all that was not enough, with the edgy storyline developing and the jokes and dialogue crackling we get a bonus - Kim Novak. She is sensational here, utilising the dialogue and situation to give a marvellous performance of great depth. The film is intelligent, daring (for the time) very likeable and best of all, actually very funny. Great!

I just want to add a note here about the songs that the third-rate composer and lyricist, played by Ray Walston and Cliff Osmond, "wrote" in this movie. Hold on! The three songs that are heard in this film were written by none other than George and Ira Gershwin. The music for "Sophia" was intended for but not used in the Gershwin's 1937 show "Shall We Dance?" "I'm a Poached Egg" draws on music intended for their 1930 show "Girl Crazy" and lyrics intended for their 1937 show "A Damsel in Distress." The music for "All the Livelong Day" dates back to 1921. This has been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, though I don't know on what CD it appears. Anyone can find the interesting details about these songs and complete lyrics, including some not used in the film, on pages 382-385 of "The Complete Lyrics of Ira Gershwin" published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1993.

Some people still consider this movie a flop. Having just re-watched this movie for the first time in years, I can't see why. Perhaps Walston is a bit weak in a leading role (Sellers would have been fantastic), but the script is first rate, both funny and touching. Dean Martin and Kim Novak are seriously under-rated actors in my opinion; here Dean sends himself up as 'Dino' and is not afraid to play himself as un-likable. Novak is, as always, wonderful. Sadly Kim never seems to get the appreciation she deserves, her performances in such movies as 'Vertigo' and 'Bell, Book & Candle' are never less than first class. While the lesser-known Felicia Farr comes across very well (she was also the wife of Wilder's frequent star, Jack Lemmon, I wonder how this film would have worked with Lemmon in the Walston role?) This is a gem of a movie and one of Wilder's best.