''How to Commit Marriage'' is a 1969 American

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

directed by

Norman Panama Norman Kaye Panama (April 21, 1914 – January 13, 2003) was an American screenwriter, film producer and film director. He is known for his partnership with Melvin Frank and their work on films such as ''Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House' ...

, and starring

Bob Hope Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was an American comedian, actor, entertainer and producer with a career that spanned nearly 80 years and achievements in vaudeville, network radio, television, and USO Tours. He appeared ...

Jackie Gleason Herbert John Gleason (born Herbert Walton Gleason Jr.; February 26, 1916June 24, 1987), known as Jackie Gleason, was an American comedian, actor, writer, and composer also known as "The Great One". He developed a style and characters from growin ...

, Tina Louise, Irwin Corey,

Leslie Nielsen Leslie William Nielsen (February 11, 1926November 28, 2010) was a Canadian actor and comedian. With a career spanning 60 years, he appeared in more than 100 films and 150 television programs, portraying more than 220 characters. He made his a ...

Tim Matheson Tim Matheson (born Timothy Lewis Matthieson; December 31, 1947) is an American actor and director. Some of his best-known acting roles include the title character of the 1960s animated ''Jonny Quest (TV series), Jonny Quest'' TV series, Eric "O ...

and

Jane Wyman Jane Wyman ( ; born Sarah Jane Mayfield; January 5, 1917 – September 10, 2007). was an American actress. A star of both movies and television, she received an Academy Award for Best Actress, four Golden Globe Awards and nominations for two Pr ...

in her final film role. It was filmed in the current version of Cinerama. A rock band entitled The Comfortable Chair appears as a rock group, performing their song "A Child's Garden."

Plot

Music student Nancy, the 19-year-old daughter of real estate broker Frank Benson and his wife Elaine, wants to marry fellow music student David, the 20-year-old son of Oliver Poe, a record producer. What the bride doesn't know is that her parents are getting a divorce. Oliver Poe is opposed to marriage and forbids the children from planning their marriage. He discovers and exposes the Bensons' secret. Nancy and David decline this unnecessary marriage. They will live together instead, traveling around the country with a rock band and heeding the advice and wisdom of a Persian mystic called the Baba Zeba. Frank and Elaine see other people. He is involved with a divorcée, Lois Grey, while she is developing an interest in Phil Fletcher, who is recently divorced. Poe meets LaVerne Baker, who becomes his live-in girlfriend. One day, Nancy finds out she is pregnant. The Baba Zeba, paid off by Oliver, persuades Nancy to put up the baby for adoption. Frank and Elaine conspire behind their daughter's back to adopt their own grandchild. Complications arise, resulting in Frank trying to bribe the Baba Zeba and disguising himself as one of the guru's followers. The Bensons are reunited, David and Nancy have a baby, and Poe and LaVerne are married.

Cast

as Frank Benson *

as Oliver Poe *

as Elaine Benson *

as Phil Fletcher * Maureen Arthur as Lois Grey * Tina Louise as LaVerne Baker *

as David Poe * Paul Stewart as Willoughby * Irwin Corey as the Baba Zeba * Joanna Cameron as Nancy Benson

Release

The film premiered on May 28, 1969 in

Miami Beach, Florida Miami Beach is a coastal resort city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Miami metropolitan area of South Florida. The municipality is located on natural and human-made barrier islands between the Atlantic Ocean ...

. In the week ended June 18, 1969 it had expanded to 8 cities and grossed $145,350.

References

External links

* * 1969 films 1960s English-language films 1960s pregnancy films American independent films Hippie films Films directed by Norman Panama 1969 romantic comedy films American romantic comedy films Cinerama Releasing Corporation films 1969 independent films 1960s American films English-language romantic comedy films Films scored by Joseph J. Lilley English-language independent films {{romantic-comedy-film-stub

Plot

Cast

Release

See also

References

External links