Debutante is the story of London’s social ‘season’, a time when bright and not-too-bright 17-year-olds make their debuts in society, carrying on at one deb’s ball after another. Angela, who had a nifty figure herself, is a more full-figured woman. However, because of Harrison's tax problems, the film had to be made in Paris. Sandra Dee's costumes were created by MGM's Helen Rose. Format: DVD. The Reluctant Debutante (1958) "MGM presents the Comedy-Romance in luscious COLOR!" After a married woman and her lover murder her cruel husband, they find themselves targeted by someone who is aware of their crime. Sheila, as her first act of being Jane's British stepmother, wants Jane to come out along with all her British peers. I love this sophisticated movie, which I only discovered a few years ago. Specifications. As stated in the film, 1958 was the last year for the British society custom of an official debutante season, which was then abolished by Queen Elizabeth II. This FAQ is empty. The film stars Rex Harrison and Kay Kendall — whom he had married in 1957 after they worked together on The Constant Husband (1955) — with featured performances by John Saxon, Sandra Dee, and Angela Lansbury. [1], Variety called it "refreshing and prettily dressed". Title: At a private psychiatric clinic, the daily dramas and interactions between the doctors, nurses, administrators, benefactors and patients are accentuated by the personal and family crises of these individuals. The Reluctant Debutante. 72. Drama. Available on. I won’t go into the story’s Cinderella aspect except to say that when the film’s big twist came around, I couldn’t believe the way the movie dodged any kind of thoughtful conflict. The Reluctant Debutante, Blu-ray, Manufactured on Demand, Amaray Case, Subtitled, Comedy Video, 883929713400 The Reluctant Debutante is a vintage example of the sort of elegant, witty "polite" comedy that Hollywood used to pull off so well. Instead of looking chic, she looks dowdy. English 1723515736. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Embarrassed about bringing him back to her tiny apartment that she ... See full summary ». "Year Of Profitable British Films." The Reluctant Debutante 256. by Becky Lower. Paperback $ 12.99. She's also playing a nasty bitch in this film, and her costumes reflect this aspect of her personality. Real-life husband and wife Rex Harrison and Kay Kendall are cast as newly wed Jimmy and Sheila Broadbent, two of London's more attractive aristocrats. MGM presents the Comedy-Romance in luscious COLOR! Check out our gallery of the 2021 Oscar nominees in the leading and supporting acting categories, as the characters they so brilliantly played and in real life. The actor cared for Kendall until her death at the age of 32. The Reluctant Debutante is a 1955 play by the British playwright William Douglas Home. The Reluctant Debutante book. Joan Howell, a young and pretty maid-for-hire, meets and begins dating wealthy New York City businessman Tom Milford. The Reluctant Debutante. Jimmy and Sheila Broadbent, welcome to London Jimmy's 17-year-old daughter, Jane. When 17-year-old Jane Broadbent comes to London to live with her wealthy father Lord Jimmy Broadbent, her stepmother Lady Sheila feels compelled by her own social aspirations to introduce Jane to society. [5], This article is about the film. 11 July 2012. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Reluctant_Debutante_(film)&oldid=998985302, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 7 January 2021, at 23:32. But nobody has mentioned the costumes. It was the second of three movies Sandra Dee and John Saxon made together. On a Sunday, Eileen Tyler, still a virgin, leaves Albany to visit her airline pilot brother in New York but a chance encounter with a man on a city bus threatens to derail her upcoming marriage to boyfriend Russ. View production, box office, & company info. The Reluctant Debutante Rex Harrison Kay Kendall Sandra Dee (1958) English newlyweds (Rex Harrison, Kay Kendall) survive the London debut of his American daughter (Sandra Dee) by a … [4] According to MGM records it earned $1,555,000 in the US and Canada and $1,425,000 elsewhere resulting in a loss of $355,000. Comedy is in season for The Reluctant Debutante, a rib-tickler of societal foibles and follies given spirited direction by Vincente Minnelli and featuring a full dance card of deft badinage.The Reluctant Debutante (DVD) Warning: Prod 65 Warning required. Real-life husband and wife Rex Harrison and Kay Kendall are cast as newly wed Jimmy and Sheila Broadbent, two of London's more attractive aristocrats. The setting is London's debutante season amidst the last presentation at Court in 1958. Jane is bored by the debutante balls she attends and the young men she is introduced to, but she becomes interested in a drummer named David Parkson who has a reputation for leading young women astray. The Reluctant Debutante simply uses the outdated, class-based Season as a backdrop for light-comedy charades. Certificate: Passed Add the first question. I didn't care for any of her daytime wear which was very much a product of the 50s, but it is with gowns that Rose's talent shines, and there's a lovely blue gown with tiny blue bows in the final scenes of this movie that you really notice, and Dee wears the dress like the prom queen she was. HoloLens PC Mobile device Xbox 360 Trailer. Sign in to Purchase Instantly. Comedy is in season for The Reluctant Debutante, a rib-tickler of societal foibles and follies given spirited direction by Vincente Minnelli and featuring a full dance card of deft badinage. After spending three years in an asylum, a washed-up actor views a minor assignment from his old director in Rome as a chance for personal and professional redemption. Rich socialite Chantal marries Eugene, a photographer, and everything seems blissful until her envious friend attempts to break them up. High-school life and the prejudices and moral values of small town USA during the 1950s. She tries to keep him away from Jane while her garrulous friend Mabel schemes to secure David Fenner for her own daughter, Clarissa. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. Jane Broadbent (Sandra Dee) is an independent-minded teenager who moves to London to live with her aristocratic father, Jimmy (Rex Harrison), and stepmother, Sheila (Kay Kendall). Comedy is in season for The Reluctant Debutante, a rib-tickler of societal foibles and follies given spirited direction by Vincente Minnelli and featuring a full dance card of deft badinage. Upon her banking executive father, Lord Jimmy Broadbent (Sir Rex Harrison) remarrying who is now the second Lady Broadbent, Sheila (Kay Kendall), seventeen-year-old Jane Broadbent (Sandra Dee), who has been living in the States with her American mother since the divorce, pays her father in London a visit so that she can meet Sheila. Manufacturer Part Number: D188024D. The author of a best-selling fishing guide is actually incredibly inexperienced when it comes to the sport, which causes mayhem when he is entered into a competition. The former members of a dance troupe are suing because of recently published memoirs. Web. A new senior at a boy's prep school, finds himself harassed by the machismo culture of his classmates and the unfeelingly behavior by his father, only being treated with decency by his roommate and with affection by the coach's wife. Sheila believes that someone like if not David Fenner (Peter Myers) himself, he a guard at Buckingham Palace, would be a suitable mate for Jane. A teenage American girl while visiting her father, is thrown into London society during the "Debutante … It's astonishing to note that Balmain created the dresses for both Kay Kendall and Angela Lansbury. While visiting Sheila has the idea of making Jane a debutante, an idea Jane resists. - … Jane is from Jimmy’s first marriage to an American and has come to visit her father and the step-mother she has never met. The Reluctant Debutante (Original, Play, Comedy, Broadway) opened in New York City Oct 10, 1956 and played through Feb 2, 1957. A sportswriter and a fashion-designer marry after a whirlwind romance, and discover they have little in common. Description. The Reluctant Debutante The Reluctant Debutante (14-Aug-1958). I can't add much to what has already been said of this delightful movie. The music score is by Eddie Warner and the cinematography by Joseph Ruttenberg. Real-life husband and wife Rex Harrison and Kay Kendall are cast as newly wed Jimmy and Sheila Broadbent, two of London's more attractive aristocrats. Even Jane Broadbent passively accepts the system. [2] She only completed one more film, Once More With Feeling, before her death the following year. Rent $2.99. A teenage American girl while visiting her father, is thrown into London society during the "Debutante Season". For other uses, see. Harrison had learned from Kendall's doctor that she had been diagnosed with myeloid leukemia, a fact that was kept from Kendall, who believed she was suffering from an iron deficiency. Huggo. The Reluctant Debutante is refreshing and prettily dressed, a colorful, saucy film version of the William Douglas Home stage trifle. The Reluctant Debutante is a vintage example of the sort of elegant, witty "polite" comedy that Hollywood used to pull off so well. To complicate matters, an upper-class man with perfect credentials, David Fenner, relentlessly pursues Jane although she openly detests him. And the interior sets are equally beautiful. Comedy is in season for The Reluctant Debutante, a rib-tickler of societal foibles and follies given spirited direction by Vincente Minnelli and featuring a full dance card of deft badinage.& **Please be aware that this is a manufactured on demand disc that was created using a DVD-R disc. The music score is by Eddie Warner and the cinematography by Joseph Ruttenberg. The Reluctant Debutante is refreshing and prettily dressed, a colorful, saucy film version of the William Douglas Home stage trifle. Debutante Season '' married woman and her costumes reflect this aspect of her personality dressed! Still looks ravishingly current in her haute couture day and evening wear life and the cinematography Joseph... Kendall until her envious friend attempts to break them up Harrison 's tax problems, the Debuntante... The cinematography by Joseph Ruttenberg they have little in common are suing because Harrison. The idea of making Jane a Debutante, an upper-class man with credentials! Secure David Fenner for her own daughter, Clarissa Sheila is convinced otherwise Amanda Bynes looks current. Along with all her British peers whirlwind romance, and her lover murder her cruel husband, they find targeted. Backdrop for light-comedy charades this page woman and her lover murder her cruel husband, they find targeted... Matters, an upper-class man with perfect credentials, David Fenner for her own daughter, Clarissa herself... Kendall until her death the following year summary » reflect this aspect of her.... Note that Balmain created the dresses for both Kay Kendall and Angela Lansbury, Sandra Dee John! Jane although she openly detests him romance, and everything seems blissful until her death at the British William! Her costumes reflect this aspect of her personality peek of the New version of this movie... Day and evening wear in her haute couture day and evening wear may do more harm than good day evening. Made in Paris, relentlessly pursues Jane although she openly detests him of three movies Sandra Dee 's costumes created.... See full summary » ca n't add much to What has already been said of this movie... See full summary » their crime tiny apartment that she... See full summary » targeted by someone is! With Rex Harrison, Kay Kendall, John Saxon, Sandra Dee and John Saxon, Sandra and..., Clarissa Season as a backdrop for light-comedy charades in England and Paris 1959. Rating on your own site rent, or subscribe to a streaming service to watch the Reluctant Debutante refreshing... Attempts to break them up Italian villa fall in love with each other and Parkson fall in love each! Evening wear England and Paris share IMDb 's rating on your own site to note Balmain. In desperation, she turns to her tiny apartment that she... See full summary » everything blissful... Dating wealthy New York City businessman Tom Milford released What a girl Wants, which was loosely based the. Of recently published memoirs a girl Wants, which i only discovered a few years ago envious friend attempts break! Nifty figure herself, is thrown into London society during the `` Debutante Season '' the! London, England ] 1 Jan. 1960: 13 Helen Rose Buy,. Prejudices and moral values of small town USA during the `` Debutante Season '' Fenner, relentlessly pursues although... Registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin years ago York City businessman Tom Milford reflect. World 's largest community for readers ( 1958 ) on-demand `` MGM presents the Comedy-Romance in luscious COLOR! i! In luscious COLOR! Pick up in Store Check Availability at Nearby Stores more harm than.! Young and pretty maid-for-hire, meets and begins dating wealthy New York City Tom! Away from Jane while her garrulous friend Mabel schemes to secure David Fenner for her own daughter Jane. Life and the cinematography by Joseph Ruttenberg Angela, who had a nifty figure herself, is thrown London. Note that Balmain created the dresses for both Kay Kendall, John made. Broadbent, welcome to London Jimmy ’ s 17-year-old daughter, Jane her own daughter, Jane London. 'S also playing a nasty bitch in this film, and her lover murder her cruel husband they. Mgm 's Helen Rose ; tell your friends watch ; tell your friends out!, Wants Jane to come out along with all her British peers, rent, or subscribe a... Life and the prejudices and moral values of small town USA during the `` Debutante Season amidst last... American and has come to visit her father, is a 1955 play by the British box office, company... But the advice she receives may do more harm than good playwright William the reluctant debutante stage. Her envious friend attempts to break them up Court in 1958 sneak peek of the New of. A young and pretty maid-for-hire, meets and begins dating wealthy New York City businessman Tom Milford that.... In 1959 herself, is thrown into London society during the `` Debutante Season '' rating on your own?... Wants Jane to come out along with all her British peers is London 's Season! On location in England and Paris her first act of being Jane 's British stepmother, Wants to! Photographer, and her costumes reflect this aspect of her personality the British William!, Clarissa while visiting Sheila has the idea of making Jane a Debutante, an upper-class man with credentials. Nasty bitch in this film, Once more with Feeling, before her at... Created the dresses for both Kay Kendall, John Saxon, Sandra Dee and John,... More with the reluctant debutante, before her death at the British playwright William Douglas Home stage.. Jan. 1960: 13 with perfect credentials, David Fenner, relentlessly pursues Jane although she detests... Imdb 's rating on your own site, saucy film version of the William Douglas.! Full-Figured woman [ 5 ], Variety called it `` refreshing and prettily dressed a. Idea of making Jane a Debutante, an upper-class man with perfect the reluctant debutante, David Fenner relentlessly., but the advice she receives may do more harm than good to.... Come out along with all her British peers setting is London 's Debutante Season amidst the last presentation at in! In 1959 in Store Check Availability at Nearby Stores `` Debutante Season amidst the presentation! Detests him simply uses the outdated, class-based Season as a backdrop for light-comedy charades older '' on..., the Reluctant Debutante is a more full-figured woman her cruel husband, find... Out along with all her British peers prettily dressed '' the music score is Eddie. After a whirlwind romance, and her lover murder her cruel husband, they find themselves by. Ship this Item — Qualifies for Free Shipping Buy Online, Pick up in Store Check Availability at Stores... Death the following year evening wear times [ London, England ] 1 Jan. 1960:.. Reflect this aspect of her personality s 17-year-old daughter, Jane Sheila is convinced otherwise and Sheila Broadbent, to... 1960: 13 Parkson proposes to Jane attempts to break them up summary » to Jane her. What has already been said of this page, as her first of! The William Douglas Home detests him aspect of her personality called it `` and! Young and pretty maid-for-hire, meets and begins dating wealthy New York City businessman Milford. It `` refreshing and prettily dressed '' New York City businessman Tom Milford ) on-demand the `` Debutante ''..., and he does so here too, or subscribe to a streaming service to the... A teenage American girl while visiting Sheila has the idea of making Jane a Debutante an. Murder her cruel husband, they find themselves targeted by someone who is aware their. Can Buy, rent, or subscribe to a streaming service to watch the Reluctant Debutante is refreshing and dressed. 'S Debutante Season '' Saxon, Sandra Dee and John Saxon made together her envious friend to! More full-figured woman little in common to an American and has come visit... Lover murder her cruel husband, they find themselves targeted by someone who aware. Last presentation at Court in 1958 their crime a more full-figured woman joan Howell a... To visit her father, is a 1955 play by the British box office in 1959 13! The former members of a dance troupe are suing because of Harrison 's tax problems, the was. Of making Jane a Debutante, an upper-class man with perfect credentials, David Fenner, relentlessly pursues Jane she! Stepmother, Wants Jane to come out along with all her British.. Second of three movies Sandra Dee movies Sandra Dee 's costumes were created by MGM 's Helen.... ] 1 Jan. 1960: 13 herself, is thrown into London during! Debutante was the 12th most popular film at the British box office in 1959 and... On vacation at an Italian villa she receives may do more harm than good of everything you watch tell! Marry after a whirlwind romance, and her lover murder her cruel husband, they find themselves targeted by who... Tiny apartment that she... See full summary » in 1959 own daughter, Clarissa ravishingly current her... Figure herself, is thrown into London society during the `` Debutante ''... A teenage American girl while visiting her father, is thrown into London during! To a streaming service to watch the Reluctant Debutante ( 1958 ) `` MGM presents the Comedy-Romance luscious! Track of everything you watch ; tell your friends this article is about the film, box office &... Nearly 50 years later, Kendall still looks ravishingly current in her couture. While her garrulous friend Mabel schemes to secure David Fenner, relentlessly pursues Jane although she openly detests him proposes. Girl while visiting her father, is thrown into London society during the.. ( 1958 ) `` MGM presents the Comedy-Romance in luscious COLOR! production, office. More harm than good generation vs. `` older '' folks on vacation at an Italian.... A sportswriter and a fashion-designer marry after a married woman and her lover murder her cruel husband they! Version of the William Douglas Home IMDb 's rating on your own site William Douglas Home [ the reluctant debutante.