My Six Loves

Plot

This was the first film directed by dancer and choreographer Gower Champion, already experienced at directing television and theatrical productions by the early '60s. The routine romantic comedy, somewhat bogged down by the children it features, is centered on overwrought actress Janice Courtney (Debbie Reynolds). She has had it with paparazzi and publicity campaigns and escapes to the Connecticut countryside for a little R & R. At that point, a half-dozen youngsters intrude into her life after they are abandoned by their ne'er-do-well guardians, and though she is anything but enthusiastic, Janice takes them under her frayed wings. The local pastor, Rev. Jim Larkin (Cliff Robertson) has something to do with that, and ultimately, more than a little something to do with Janice's personal life. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Review

A thoroughly dated comedy from the early 1960s, My Six Loves still has some entertainment value, thanks largely to its cast. Of course, those with a predilection for darling children will fall victim quite easily to Loves' charms, while those who find children a bit too sticky-cute for their tastes will probably not stay with the film for very long. Loves definitely has a case of the cutes; while the children definitely have appeal, director Gower Champion doesn't just let that appeal shine through but chooses instead to milk it at every chance, which is pretty par for the course for this kind of film. Fortunately, there's also some slightly acidic comedy from the likes of Eileen Heckart to cut through a bit of the stickiness, and some trashy turns from Mary McCarty and Max Showalter, as well as dependable comic bits from Alice Ghostley and Jim Backus, that also add to the fun. And in the lead role, Debbie Reynolds does everything she can to keep the film squarely on an even keel. Cliff Robertson is fairly dull in what is a fairly dull part, but David Janssen scores a few points as Reynolds' agent. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

Cast

• Debbie Reynolds - Janice Courtney
• Cliff Robertson - Rev. Jim Larkin
• Eileen Heckart - Ethel Swenson
• David Janssen - Martin Bliss
• Hans Conried - Kingsley Cross

Jim Backus - The Sheriff; Mary McCarty - Doreen Smith; John McGiver - Judge Harris; Max Showalter - B.J. Smith; Alice Ghostley - Selina; Alice Pearce - Bus Driver; Pippa Scott - Diane Soper; Darlene Tompkins - Ava; Leon Belasco - Mario; Billy Hughes - Leo; Victor Buono - Fat Man; Robert Cole; Mimi Dillard - Receptionist; Ted Eccles - Sonny; Tommy Farrell - Studio Representative; Sterling Holloway - Oliver Dodds; William Hudson; Maurice Kelly - Man with Mike; Barry Livingston - Sherman; Yvonne Peattie - Lady Columnist; Sally Smith - Brenda; Claude Stroud - Dr. Miller; Leon Tyler - Columnist; Pat Moran - Studio Executive; William Wood - Judge's Clerk; Mollie Dodd - Woman; Debbie Price - Dulcie

Credit

Roland Anderson - Art Director, Hal Pereira - Art Director, Jack Regas - Choreography, Edith Head - Costume Designer, Gower Champion - Director, John M. Woodcock - Editor, Walter Scharf - Composer (Music Score), Wally Westmore - Makeup, Arthur E. Arling - Cinematographer, Sam Comer - Set Designer, Grace Gregory - Set Designer, John P. Fulton - Special Effects, Peter Funk - Screen Story, John Fante - Screenwriter, Joseph Calvelli - Screenwriter, William Wood - Screenwriter

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