Love Is a Ball

Love Is a Ball

Hope Lange and Glenn Ford on the soundtrack album cover
Directed by David Swift
Produced by Martin Poll
Harry Caplan (assoc.)
Shirley Mellner (assist.)
Written by David Swift
Frank Waldman
Tom Waldman
Based on novel The Grand Duke and Mr. Pimm by Lindsay Hardy
Starring Glenn Ford
Hope Lange
Charles Boyer
Music by Michel Legrand
Cinematography Edmond Séchan
Edited by Cathy Kelber
Tom McAdoo
Distributed by United Artists
Release dates
  • 1963 (1963)
Running time
 111 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Love Is a Ball is a 1963 romantic comedy film starring Glenn Ford, Hope Lange, and Charles Boyer. It is based on the novel The Grand Duke and Mr. Pimm by Lindsay Hardy.

Plot

Etienne Pimm (Charles Boyer) has an unusual way of making a living: he arranges for impoverished European aristocrats to marry unsuspecting rich women. He is then discreetly compensated for his efforts by the husbands. His latest target is Millicent "Milly" Mehaffey (Hope Lange), newly arrived on the Riviera. Pimm and his assistant Janine (Ulla Jacobsson) begin grooming the penniless Grand Duke Gaspard Ducluzeau (Ricardo Montalban) for Milly, hiring Julian Soames (John Wood) to teach him manners and English. As their target fancies herself a race car driver, Pimm recruits John Lathrop Davis (Glenn Ford), a (retired) champion many times over, to teach Gaspard to drive.

Pimm "accidentally" meets Milly's uncle and guardian, Dr. Christian Gump (Telly Savalas, cast against type as a cultured gourmet) and invites him to a dinner prepared by his personal, world-renowned chef, Maurice Zoltan (André Luguet). Gump cannot resist. After dinner, he is introduced to the handsome young duke, well prepared after weeks of intensive training. As Pimm had hoped, Gump begs him to bring the duke to a party he has arranged for Milly, confiding that he hopes they fall in love and that his troublesome ward will settle down.

Meanwhile, Priory (Laurence Hardy), another of Pimm's minions, has gotten himself hired as the chauffeur, to spy on the family. When a polo ball hit by Gaspard breaks Priory's arm, a reluctant Davis takes his place. Davis is openly contemptuous of Milly's unrealistic plan to compete in the International Grand Prix, causing clashes with his spoiled employer. As they spend more time together though, her initial dislike turns into love.

With the romance between Milly and Gaspard not proceeding very well, Pimm suggests to Milly that the young couple spend a romantic night together at his private villa. She takes him up on his offer, only with Davis, not Gaspard.

The next morning, Milly learns the truth and is at first outraged, even though Pimm confesses that Davis was not the intended groom. For revenge, she decides to marry an oafish suitor named Freddie (Jean Parédès). However, on her wedding day, her wise grandmother (Ruth McDevitt) convinces her to reconcile with Davis. This is just fine with Gaspard, as he has fallen for Janine.

Cast

Production

The novel was published in 1959.[1] Rights were bought by Martin H. Poll of Gold Medal Enterprises; Poll owned Gold Medal Studios in the Bronx, facilities which were hired out to movie makers. He had decided to move into film production. The screenplay was originally written by the author of the novel.[2]

Blake Edwards was originally attached to direct.[3] Glenn Ford and Hope Lange were signed to star early on.[4] Eventually David Swift came in to write and direct.[5] Ulla Jacobsson signed to make her American debut with the film.[6]

The film was shot on the French Riviera.[7][8] Glenn Ford and Hope Lange were a real-life couple at the time.[9]

Reception

The film had its world premiere at Las Vegas.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Old-Style Matchmaker: THE GRAND DUKE AND MR. PIMM. By Lindsay Hardy. 256 pp. New York: Harper & Bros. $3.50. Daley, Robert. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 04 Oct 1959: BR38.
  2. ↑ LOCAL FILM PANORAMA: New Gold Medal Company to Produce Here -- U.S. 'Pied Piper' -- Addenda By A.H. WEILER. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 15 May 1960: X7.
  3. ↑ Vertical Producer Named Marty Here: He Bought a Studio to Make Pictures, Then Rented It Out Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 11 Aug 1961: 23.
  4. ↑ Britons in 'Fool'; Barbara Eden Set: Columbia Snubs Local Pup; Widow Urges Movie Clubs Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 18 Sep 1961: C15.
  5. ↑ Elizabeth Taylor to Do 'Gouffe Case': Fisher Will Produce at Watners; Steiger, Mineo Named as Team Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 10 Oct 1961: B6.
  6. ↑ 'ARMS AND THE MAN' TO OPEN HERE TODAY New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 23 Feb 1962: 36.
  7. ↑ NEW COMEDY FILMED ON FRENCH RIVIERA Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 22 Feb 1963: C10.
  8. ↑ 'PIMM' ON THE RIVIERA: Manufactured Mansion Starry-Eyed By HARRY MINES. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 13 May 1962: X7.
  9. ↑ At Times, a Star Must Be Himself By Richard L. Coe. The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973) [Washington, D.C] 24 Feb 1963: G1.
  10. ↑ 'LOVE IS A BALL': Las Vegas Setting for Gala Premiere Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 08 Mar 1963: C9.
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