The Matchmaker

Trailer—The Matchmaker

The Matchmaker

Just saw this film for the first time recently, and became absorbed with the comparison to "Hello Dolly." Now I see that not only is "Dolly" a great film, but one of the few examples of a very successful remake. This is especially rare when a film is adapted to a musical format. "Dolly" seemed to follow the script of "Matchmaker" very closely, but did a much better job of putting it across. It added umph where it belonged, really bringing out the many choice morsels of the story. "Matchmaker" seems stagy by comparison and actually a rather mechanical run-through. I know its actors are veterans and some in the same vehicle, but they lack the edge in this presentation of the fresher and sharper "Dolly" cast. The material begged for the snap that "Dolly" gave it. "Matchmaker" is a good enough movie, but "Dolly" really sings (even when there's no music).

I have always loved the "straight play" version of the Dolly story. Actually Thornton Wilder's play had a previous incarnation set in Austria, in the German language. He had written it for Broadway in the fifties, it was filmed in 58 in this version, and Jerry Herman must have seen it and fallen in love with it for the musical "Hello, Dolly!". Parts of this are superior to the original stage version of the musical. The film version of the musical is dreadfully over danced and Streisand was way too young for the lead role. Shirley Booth, here in this "Matchmaker", is much closer, in a way to Channing's Dolly of Broadway. I have often wished that SOMEONE would re-do the musical for either video or film. I saw the 1964 Channing production and it was magical. Hollywood so often trashes these brilliant stage works. Anyway, rent this film when you can and compare it to the Streisand "Dolly".

Hitchcock's "Psycho" marked a turning point in the career of Anthony Perkins. He stabbed his way into the consciousness of the American moviegoing public so forcefully and proved he was so effective at portraying a disturbed and disturbing personality that he never again played anything else. Even in "The Trial," where he is the hero and an uncomprehending victim, he plays the role in an odd way that doesn't evoke much sympathy from the viewer. Come and see what he was like before "Psycho!" He is boyish, cute, rather happy-go-lucky, and absolutely endearing. If for nothing else, "The Matchmaker" is worth watching just to actually like and feel warmly towards the actor who makes our hackles rise upon sight. A unique experience. The rest of the cast is good, too. The story is engaging, wittily written, and never mawkish or sappy. Head and shoulders above "Hello, Dolly."

This movie is a truly funny comedy. I'm not sure why it isn't more well-known. The entire cast is great, particularly Shirley Booth and Anthony Perkins. The dialogue is hilarious, and it's interesting how the major players "break the fourth wall" throughout the film. The basic premise: Shirley Booth is a professional matchmaker who decides she wants to marry her latest client (Paul Ford) herself. Meanwhile, Anthony Perkins is interested in Shirley MacLaine, who is simply interested in getting married. The result is a lot of deception, but the characters are all so nice and likeable that you can't help but root for them all. The next time you're in the mood for a classic comedy, try this one.

I enjoyed this much more than it;s musical counterpart 'Hello Dolly'. The cast is so much more likable. They have high energy but are not phony. Shirley Booth is like the lovable grandmother and not the diva like Barbra Streisand was. She kind of reminds me of Aunt Clara from 'Bewitched' she is not dopey but she is just so sweet lovable and gentle. While Streusand just kind of had this thing as if to hey look at me!!!!'Anthony Perkins is cute, and likable not dopey like Micheal Crawford. and Paul Ford, is a much more convincing portrayal of Horace Vandergelder then Walter Mathau. 'Hello Dolly' was too stagy and phony while this is just cute and upbeat. I would chose this over 'Hello Dolly' any day.

Some of Thornton Wilder's ironies about love and money get mangled in the dumbing-down of his stage material, and the theatrical conceits (characters constantly breaking down the fourth wall) probably worked better in the legit theater. And then there's that damned toy train, too cutesy by half. Nevertheless, this is a handsome and diverting little comedy with a great cast. Shirley Booth conveys some of the magnetism that made her a stage favorite; it's not necessarily great acting, but a warm and whimsical performance. Anthony Perkins and Shirley MacLaine are young love personified; I'm not sure either of them was ever this appealing again. Compliments, too, to Adolph Deutsch, who wrapped the whole thing up in a terrifically evocative waltz theme. It's a trifle, but a tasteful and well-paced trifle. I notice that whenever AMC shows it, I watch it, so that says something.

This is the film that "Hello Dolly" strives to be but can't. Everything about this film is so sweet and Shirley Booth gives a performance that is just hilarious. I also like the way the actors talk to the audience every now and then. At least Miss Booth is more convincing as a middle-aged widow than Miss Streisand was. I wonder what "Hello Dolly" would have been like if they gave the part to Shirley Booth?

Do you like situation comedy? How about clever dialogue? Do the elements of classic farce make you laugh? Many a film has sustained itself on one of the foregoing. In "The Matchmaker," you get all three. The picture is perfectly cast, with the peerless (though by now, nearly forgotten) Shirley Booth as a sly but gentle, voracious but sweet, determined yet vulnerable Dolly. Paul Ford huffs and puffs in his characteristic manner, without overplaying. Anthony Perkins reminds us of his versatility with this twinkle-in-the-eye triumph in romantic comedy. A young Shirley MacLaine is simply adorable. Too bad the talented Robert Morse has so little to do, but with such a strong cast in more prominent roles, he had to save his elfin hijinks for another day.