Synopsis:
A British archaeology professor (Terry-Thomas) fights off amorous females while dealing with the sudden presence of a seventeen-year-old “juvenile delinquent” (Tuesday Weld) who is actually the daughter of his fiancee (Celeste Holm).

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• Celeste Holm Films
• Comedy
• Frank Tashlin Films
• Mistaken or Hidden Identities
• Professors
• Tuesday Weld Films

Review:
Although it’s beloved by fans and has received reasonably positive reviews from critics (All Movie Guide notes that it was “written and directed… with [director Frank Tashlin’s] usual grace and elegance”), it’s truly difficult to understand the appeal of this dated and tiresome ’60s comedy, starring gap-toothed British comedian Terry-Thomas:

… heartthrob Richard Beymer (a year after his leading role in West Side Story):

… and 18-year-old Tuesday Weld:

Tashlin does indeed keep the film moving quickly, and shows evidence of his skill at directing broad slapstick, but the storyline itself falls completely flat: Terry-Thomas’s “irresistible” appeal to women of all ages never once rings true (not even as a gag), and Weld’s rash decision to pawn herself off as a juvenile delinquent (rather than revealing that Terry-Thomas’s absentee fiancee is her mother) feels equally forced. If you enjoy this type of mindless, colorful piffle, certainly feel free to seek it out; otherwise, film fanatics should feel no obligation at all to watch it.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

• Creative cinematography and sets
  
• Francesca Bellini as Gladys Schmidlapp — just one of Terry-Thomas’s seemingly countless pursuers
  

Must See?
No; definitely feel free to skip this one.

Links:

• IMDb entry
• NY Times Original Review
• All Movie Guide Review (SPOILER ALERT)