Movie Type: Social Problem Film, Psychological Drama
Themes: Romantic Betrayal, Love Triangles
Main Cast: Natalie Wood, Steve McQueen, Edie Adams, Herschel Bernardi, Tom Bosley
Release Year: 1963
Country: US
Run Time: 102 minutes
Plot
Taken for granted by her Italian family, New Yorker Natalie Wood seeks solace in the arms of irresponsible jazz musician Steve McQueen. She becomes pregnant, but doesn't expect McQueen to marry her; all she wants is enough money to pay for an illegal abortion (this is ten years before Roe v. Wade). Not surprisingly, McQueen is refused a loan by his girl friend Edie Adams; meanwhile, Wood is being pressured by her family to marry gormless Tom Bosley. As the abortion appointment approaches, McQueen begins to feel guilty, but still won't propose. Bosley finds out that Wood is pregnant, and is willing to make an honest woman of her. Wood finally makes up her mind what she's going to do and whom she's going to choose when she walks into the seedy abortion clinic. Though very dated, Love With the Proper Stranger is still dramatically viable, thanks to the on-screen rapport between Natalie Wood and Steve McQueen, and to the large and talented New York-based supporting cast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Later considered somewhat dated, particularly in its Italian-American ethnic stereotypes, this comedy-drama was another success for director Robert Mulligan and producer Alan J. Pakula, who earned five Oscar nominations for this follow-up to the career high of To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). Casting Natalie Wood as a modern, conflicted Catholic woman seeking to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, the film allowed the former child actress to move away from the teen roles to which she had been relegated. Similarly, it allowed Steve McQueen, as an irresponsible jazz musician, to sand down some of the rough edges of his typical war hero type. Although comic relief was provided by veteran character actors Herschel Bernardi and Harvey Lembeck as Wood's bombastic brothers, as well as from comic actress Edie Adams, the film's depiction of a dingy, then-illegal abortion mill remains chilling. Such future TV actors as Vic Tayback, Tom Bosley, the director's younger brother Richard Mulligan, Richard Dysart, and Arlene Golonka are all featured in supporting roles. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
Edith Head - Costume Designer, Robert Mulligan - Director, Aaron Stell - Editor, Elmer Bernstein - Composer (Music Score), Wally Westmore - Makeup, Ed Butterworth - Makeup, Roland Anderson - Production Designer, Grace Gregory - Production Designer, Hal Pereira - Production Designer, Milton Krasner - Cinematographer, Alan J. Pakula - Producer, Sam Comer - Set Designer, Grace Gregory - Set Designer, Arnold Schulman - Screenwriter
The film tells the story of Angie Rossini (Natalie Wood), a salesgirl at Macy's department store who finds herself pregnant after a brief affair with musician Rocky Papasano (Steve McQueen). When she tracks him down he doesn't remember her. She does not expect him to marry her; all she wants is enough money to pay for an abortion. Meanwhile, Angie is being pressured by her older brothers, played by Herschel Bernardi and Harvey Lembeck, to marry the unappealing cook Anthony (Tom Bosley).
Rocky scrapes up money for the crude backroom abortion. But when he and Angie meet the abortionist, it turns out the abortionist is not a doctor. Rocky refuses to let her go through with the dangerous procedure. The maturity he shows by doing this brings them closer. After meeting her brothers, Rocky proposes he "take his medicine" by marrying her. Angie is insulted and refuses. Angie wants a love relationship, with "bells and banjos."
As an act of independence Angie moves out of the family home. She begins dating Anthony, who offers to marry her. By acting aloof she attracts Rocky, whom she invites to dinner. At dinner he makes advances on her and is rejected. Angie says she doesn't want to make the last mistake. They quarrel and she throws him out. The next day, Rocky waits for her outside Macy's, ringing bells and playing a banjo, and wins her over.
