The Tender Trap (1955)

Frank Sinatra plays himself in this romantic farce made two years after his career bounced back with his Oscar winning performance in From Here to Eternity.  He's a real ladies man who is living a bachelor's heaven, with women throwing themselves at him, willing to walk his dog or even clean his apartment.  His married friend, David Wayne, visits him, needing to get away from his wife and live a little.  Then Frank, a talent agent, meets his next client Julie Gills and he starts to consider marriage.   This isn't really that great of a film and the stagy flatness of the film gets really old fast.   This is understandable since it's based on a play, but its not a good excuse.  Another romantic comedy based on a play was made that same year (The Seven Year Itch) and its director found ways of getting out of that mold.   I can't help but wonder if a director like Billy Wilder got his talented hands on this film.   Maybe it would have worked.  The other reason this film doesn't hold up anymore is the dated idea of marriage in the first place.   In a moment of brashness the film almost dares the audience to re-consider marriage as a healthy institution only to swing back the idea that Marriage is the only way.  Not a complete waste of time, it's mildly entertainment at best.   Grade: B-