Phffft

source: Phffft

Judy Holliday and Jack Lemmon proved such an irresistible couple in "Gladys Glover", that another film with them was made the same year. It has its hilarious moments of great fun, especially their first restaurant scene after the divorce, but it lacks the sparkling originality of "Gladys Glover". Kim Novak compensates somewhat for what you lack, her contribution is vital, but on the whole it's no more than a rather casual and superficial comedy, worth seeing of course most of all for Judy Holliday, but the script is not enough to satisfy the interest of the audience the whole way.

"I want a divorce!" How many times have these words been spoken in haste and unthinking anger? For divorcing couple Jack Lemmon and Judy Holliday, it's going to be a bitter one, and neither party will be able to get the other one off their mind. They each have flashbacks to happier times, alternating between smiling and scowling as they remember the past and what brought them to this point in their lives. A sudden chance encounter on the mambo dance floor ignites a spark again as they take over the floor with a dance that is both hysterically funny and sexy. There's interference by Lemmon's pal Jack Carson and her mother, with Lemmon distracted by the sultry but over analyzing Kim Novak, only on occasion utilizing that breathy speech pattern that became her trademark. It's a great way to get a film acting career off the ground. Thus is an adult comedy, one I didn't appreciate when I was in my 20's, but years later, seems smart and really on the money when it comes to describing adult relationships. Only four years older than Lemon, Ms. Holliday has a youthful quality that makes her seem ageless. Lemmon is a perfect leading man for her. It is a shame that they only made two films together. There's no "Phffft!" to their pairing.

This is a very good comedy about marriage, divorce and remarriage. Judy Holliday is Nina Tracey (nee Chapman), and Jack Lemmon is her husband Robert. Robert's best friend is Charlie Nelson, played by Jack Carson. They had been officers together in the Navy during WW II. Now they are both attorneys. Kim Novak is Janis, a girl in Charlie's black book whom he lines up with Robert after Robert and Nina get a divorce. The couple had been married eight years but boredom set in and they decided to divorce. This happens early in the film, so that the rest is a nice blend of comedy and romance as Robert and Nina try to adjust and get back in the dating game. Of course, that doesn't work for either one, and romance returns between them. The rest of the small cast are fine in their roles. This isn't a challenging film or top flight comedy with much witty dialog and situations. But, it's a pleasant story with some fun scenes that most should enjoy. The cast for "Phffft" is a first rate list of comedy actors in the 1950s. Jack Lemmon and Judy Holliday played in some of the best sophisticated comedies of the time, although Holliday's career was a short one. Jack Carson for many years was one of Hollywood's best supporting actors, especially for comedies. He co-starred here along with Kim Novak, in just her third film. Novak was very good and won a Golden Globe as most promising female newcomer. Holliday had won an Oscar for the comedy-drama "Born Yesterday" of 1950. She had two more smash comedies after that, including another hit with Lemmon in early 1954 – "It Should Happen to You." Holliday made only 14 movies in her career, but won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for film, and a Tony Award on Broadway. The Tony came in 1956 for the Broadway smash hit, "Bells Are Ringing." Holliday's last film was the movie version of "Bells Are Ringing" in 1960. It's a great comedy-musical with Dean Martin, Jean Stapleton and Eddie Foy Jr. Holliday died at age 43 in 1965 after a five year battle with breast cancer. Jack Lemmon was one of the great actors of the silver screen for nearly five decades. But, he got his start in TV in 1949 and was in several TV series through 1954. Those included dramas and comedies. "Phffft" was just his second movie and followed the smash hit earlier that year with Holliday, "It Should Happen to You." Of course, he would go on to win two Oscars and have six more nominations. He also won four Golden Globes for acting, with another 17 nominations. Lemmon won three BAFTA awards, with four more nominations; and he won two prime time Emmy awards with four more nominations. Lemmon was equally adept at drama and comedy. Some of the funniest and most endearing comedies he made were later in life and his career with long-time friend Walter Matthau.

In an incredible coincidence Phffft marked the second featured role for both Jack Lemmon and Kim Novak. It was also the second time that Lemmon was co-starred with Judy Holliday, the two having made such a hit in his debut feature film, It Should Happen To You. Though I don't think it was as funny as the first one, Phffft definitely got it's share of laughs. And Novak refined her ersatz Marilyn Monroe imitation for Harry Cohn and Columbia Studios. A seemingly happily married couple Lemmon and Holliday both arrive at the conclusion that they seem to be in a rut after 8 years. So just like that they get themselves divorced. Lemmon moves in with his old navy buddy Jack Carson who is playing his usual screen lout and starts to live the bachelor life again. Judy goes back to Mom who's an interior decorator and she starts dating as well. But as fate would have it, these two keep running into each other and maybe what they had wasn't so bad after all. Carson's a great pal, setting up Lemmon with Novak so he can finally make a move on Holliday now that she's free. As for Holliday, she's a writer for NBC and does a soap opera. Her first experience in the dating scene is with the leading man in the show, Donald Curtis. He's making his move on her because first and foremost he wants more of the show to himself and is relying on his leading man charm to see that happens. That's quite a comedown for Holliday, Curtis is very good as the actor quite full of himself. I guess the ultimate lesson of Phffft is don't mess with the fates.

Phffft! pretty much describes my feelings about this film. And that surprises me. Jack Lemmon has always been one of my favorite actors...a man who can be comfortable with comedy or drama. And Judy Holliday was bright in a number of films, including one of my favorite musicals -- "Bells Are Ringing". So when I saw this listed on TCM I was pleased since somehow I had never seen this. For me, this script just doesn't quite make it. Lots of potential. Perhaps it was partly because this film seems incredibly dated. Lemmon and Holliday are pleasant enough in the roles, but they sure don't seem very inspired, nor -- in this film -- do they seem to click. Although only 44 years of age when this was filmed, Jack Carson seems way too old in this film. The grossly slicked down hair doesn't help any. And again, his character seems so outdated. If you're a Kim Novak fan, don't get too excited -- her role is not very big, but she and Lemmon seem to have a little screen magic. The one truly bright segment in this film is the dancing fiasco. Both Lemmon and Holliday sparkled here! It's not that this is a bad film. It's pretty good...but just pretty good. Worth a watch...once.

I love that scene where the phony doctor and nurse keep upstaging each other while on TV. What a sparkling little comedy from two of the best comedic actors of the time —Holliday and Lemmon. Holliday is less pixilated than usual, but then she does play a TV writer. Lemmon also has fewer tics than usual, but that doesn't hamper the laughs at all. They play a married couple who divorce when he prefers reading second-rate Mickey Spillane to her. Of course, once divorced, they pine for each other following a series of comedic misadventures. That manic dance number alone is worth the price of admission. I just hope they did it in one take, otherwise get out the respirator. Then too the "whooshing" bed proves a great bit of comedic inspiration. Note how its whooshing back and forth becomes innuendo in that flashback scene where they first meet. And what a cutely appropriate final whoosh to the movie as a whole. A lot of credit should go to ace screenwriter Axelrod, who devises a series of amusing episodes where Nina (Holliday) and Robert (Lemmon) try to out-do one another in the I'm-so-over-you department. He grows a mustache and gets a sports car, while she does what any woman is expected to do—she gets a new wardrobe. Meanwhile, that expert performer Jack Carson lends first-rate actorly support but questionable best-friend advice; at the same time, Kim Novak gets into the swing with a vivacious party-girl performance. All in all, the set-ups wear well despite the years. Sure, it's only well done fluff. Still, I'm just sorry there weren't more Holliday-Lemmon pairings, since their styles blend so perfectly as this movie so humorously demonstrates.

PHFFT (what a strange title) does belong in the 50's as today it's very dated. In the 50's it was probably considered a little daring. JUDY HOLLIDAY could do no wrong. Here she plays a character somewhat like she'd played in MARRYING KIND and FULL OF LIFE. Not quite as ditzy as her lovable Billie in BORN YESTERDAY, her trademark role, although she stole the Oscar from Gloria Swanson. Oh well. One who is familiar with the writer George Axelrod can certainly see some similarities with SEVEN YEAR ITCH, a far better screenplay. KIM NOVAKS impersonation of MARILYN MONROE is right on and reminds one of the dialogue with TOM EWELL. I guess one can't help to copy one's success. JACK LEMMON is fun and clicks well with HOLLIDAY as he did in IT SHOULD HAPPEN TO YOU. SPOILER ALERT: Even though the film starts off with a divorce between the two leads, one KNOWS they're going to wind up together at the end. THEY DO!!. A great little gem of a performance is by the actor who played the "soap opera" Doctor. His two scenes are gems and should not be overlooked. All in all this is worth a look as part of the JACK LEMMON collection.

Don't you love it when the title of a film has no vowels? And when it has an exclamation mark, too! It makes pronouncing it even more fun. Never mind spelling it correctly. (And I am usually a decent speller.) At any rate, Judy Holliday (whose last name I finally learned how to spell) enjoys an easy chemistry with costar Jack Lemmon in this film. She may very well be one of the zaniest comediennes ever. Her expressions, the way she uses her voice, and the mambo dance number where she contorts her body-- make watching this movie almost illegal. Add Kim Novak to the mix as a light-headed chick that Lemmon dates on the rebound from Holliday and you have a criminally good time.

This is a very simple film with a pretty ordinary plot, yet because the film was so well-handled, it's very worth seeing. Basically, it's a reworking of the plot from THE AWFUL TRUTH or MR. AND MRS. SMITH--a couple breaks up but it soon becomes obvious that they still love each other. The writing is fresh and original (despite the idea having been recycled) and much of this is due to the little touches throughout the film (such as the cute character played by Kim Novak and the 'whooshing' bed). Jack Lemmon and Judy Holliday are also wonderful in the leads, as they have a certain sweetness about their characters. They are vulnerable and a little annoying, but you also like them and want to see them live happily ever after. Because of all these elements, the film just seemed to breeze by and I could easily forgive that the ending was predictable. A lovely little film and a terrific "date film".