Under the Yum Yum Tree is a 1963 sex comedy farce that stars Jack Lemmon in the leading role as a sex-crazed landlord. He is joined by Carol Lynley, Paul Lynde, Dean Jones and Edie Adams. This was one of the small comedy movies that Lemmon despised making (despite him gaining a Golden Globe nomination). It first ran on Broadway in 1960/1.
Plot
In this 1963 sex-farce comedy, Jack Lemmon stars as the playboy landlord Mr. Hogan, a swinging bachelor. Women are mere playthings to him, plus he's a master con man. His bachelor pad is a holy temple of seduction: blood-red walls, African sculptures, a well-stocked cocktail bar, and a switch-operated fireplace. He walks around wearing a scarlet blazer (with matching socks) and a devilish smirk. As the landlord of a Californian apartment block, he only rents rooms to gorgeous single women.
The film picks up as Irene (Edie Adams), a recently divorced tenant, has just concluded an affair with Hogan. She's moving out of her apartment, which is immediately snapped up by her näive niece, Robin (Carol Lynley). Hogan is thrilled at the prospect of yet another beautiful tenant to seduce, but is initially unaware that Robin's short-tempered, eternally frustrated boyfriend David (Dean Jones) will be moving in as well.
The temptation is naturally there, but Hogan does his best to prevent David and Robin from consummating their relationship. Irene, who has only lately come to realise the extent of Hogan's promiscuity, is determined to prevent him from getting his hands on her niece. Irene confronts him at his barber, and Hogan is self-defensive and self-deluded to comic effect.
Of note: The car used by Jack Lemmon in this movie is a 1962 Cougar I Concept, 406 cubic inch engine, etc. 406 Cubic Inch Engine: Breathing through a single Holley four-barrel, the 406 had 385 bhp (287 kW) at 5800 rpm and 440 ft·lbf (600 N·m) of torque at 3800. As the Super High-Performance Tri-Power, it put three Holley two-barrels under a lovely oval air cleaner and was rated at 405 bhp (302 kW).
Cast
Trivia
- Despite gaining a Golden Globe nomination, this film was one that leading star Jack Lemmon detested making. He didn't like the character and he didn't think much of the script. But in terms of contract agreements, the film had to be done.
- This film was adapted from a Broadway play by Lawrence Roman. Dean Jones (who appeared in this film version) was in the original Broadway cast, and Gig Young played Jack Lemmon's character Hogan. The stage production opened on November 16 1960 at Henry Miller's Theatre in New York and ran for 173 performances.
- Despite gaining a Golden Globe nomination, Jack Lemmon was very unhappy with this film and a lot of things about it. But once filming was over, Lemmon was adamant that his next picture (which earned him a BAFTA Award nomination) would be a family movie and that film was the 1964 comedy Good Neighbor Sam, which was directed by David Swift, who directed Under the Yum Yum Tree.
- In order to help his friend Edie Adams out financially, after the sudden death of her husband (Ernie Kovacs) left her debt-ridden, star/co-producer Jack Lemmon not only insisted upon hiring her for this film, but further insisted that her part be expanded considerably from the original stage play to give her more work.
Memorable quotes
Hogan: [to himself] You inventive little devil, you!
Hogan: It's not mister, just Hogan. I live across the hall.
Robin: I want you to tell the truth. You didn't do anything.
Hogan: I didn't do anything. Nothing at all whatsoever happened. I didn't?
Robin: Of course not!
Hogan: You ought to know but then again so should I. I may not know much but this is one thing I've never failed to recognise! Let's take it from the beginning.
Dave: Let's not take it from the beginning. I don't want to know.
Hogan: What about me? I want to know. I sure want to know what I did!
Soundtrack
External links
