Come Blow Your Horn (1963)
If you haven’t seen this truly hilarious film with Frank Sinatra living the life of a pseudo-bachelor (one steady girl with lots of other women floating about), and then discovering he dislikes who it’s made him when his little brother starts to follow in his footsteps, you’re surely missing out. His father calls him a “bum” probably 30 or 40 times in the film, and ironically, Dean Martin makes a cameo appearance in the film AS a bum!
The film, as many were back in the day, was originally a Neil Simon play, then screenplayed by Norman Lear – right there you’ve got your proof that this flick was a born pleaser!
Featured Cast
of “Come Blow Your Horn – 1963
Frank Sinatra… Alan Baker
Lee J. Cobb… Harry R. Baker
Molly Picon… Mrs. Sophie Baker
Barbara Rush… Connie (Alan’s steady girl)
Jill St. John… Peggy John
Dan Blocker… Mr. Eckman
Phyllis McGuire… Mrs. Eckman (buyer for Neiman-Marcus)
Tony Bill… Buddy Baker (Alan’s eager yet scaredy-cat little brother)
An excerpt from a review on IMdb:
This movie is classic Frankie.
Frank plays a swinging bachelor with a steady stream of dollies coming to him–and one, true steady girl. His father greatly resents his lackluster job performance for him but, moreso, is upset with him for not being married, being “a bum” as he frequently puts it.
Then Frankie’s square little brother decides that Frank is living the life. He runs away from home to have his big brother show him the ropes, much to his parents’ dismay.
Thus ensues a great comedy. We get to watch Frank teach what he knows best–how to swing, and see his little brother comically pick it up. And pick it up maybe too well for Frank’s comfort…
Wonderfully funny situations pop up all over the movie, beautifully intertwined with a solid plot and certain points being driven home. The cast couldn’t be better (despite some comments about Frank’s age–Frank always looked at least ten years younger than he was).
Frank is completely on the ball with this part and does it like the pro that he is; it was just written for him to play. There’s plenty of girls for him to have a field day with, and it’s so funny and such a pleasure to just watch Frank play this sort of thing. The rest of the cast couldn’t be better, and it all just clicks right into place.
Hilarious situations and dialogue, a wonderful cast, a fantastic, unexpected cameo, a great capture of the excellent times when the movie was filmed, and overall wonderful Sinatra all add up to a movie you’ve got to watch if you love the Swingin’ 60’s, the Rat Pack, Frank, or just great comedies.
I simply couldn’t agree more. Go watch it, ya bum!!
(Next Showtime on TCM – 07/27/07 – 10pm)
2 Comments
I love Neil Simon! Why haven’t I heard of this? I am not a big Sinatra fan (ducks and covers). Sorry, but a Simon show, now that’s worth anything. Thanks so much for the heads up – -I’ll let you know if I love it. (well, if I remember I said I’d let you know — darn short-term memory).
Peace
Jennifer – come to find out this was the very first Neil Simon play to actually GO movie.
Hey now – I’m okay with you not being a Sinatra fan, as long as you can appreciate the style. Afterall, I wasn’t much of a Joplin fan until a gallon jug of wine and a great night with a friend.