Where the Boys Are (1960)

This is certainly no ordinary college spring break film. Yes, the kids are having a good time singing, dancing, drinking and frolicking in the pool in beautifully warm Florida during their annual break, but there is a rape scene here and it is well acted by a troubled Yvette Mimieux who turns in a genuinely fine performance as one of the girls out for a good time, but certainly gets more than she has expected.Dolores Hart, or should I call her by her current name, Sister Dolores Hart, is really amazing as the girl in trouble with her studies and that family living professor, who goes to Florida to unwind but instead finds true bliss with the wealthy playboy, played by the always debonair George Hamilton.In her first film, Connie Francis plays the spunky Angie along for the ride. Frank Gorshin, with those goggle glasses, adds to the mix, but in comparison to what he could be like, is comparatively subdued here, even with the funny scene in the tank. Barbara Nichols, with that high strung voice, adds to the comic relief.

I kind of put this film in the middle of old age. The cast is priceless now as I fell in love with Paula Prentiss long ago even though in this film she is presented in her comedienne persona. I think she could have been better utilized but Hollywood was uncomfortable with tall actress's when this one was made. The late Jim Hutton plays the same person he always plays in films. Like seeing excellent character actors like Chill Wills in any film. Connie Francis sold most of her records based on her fame in this film.Actually by 1960, the sexual values represented in this film were 1950's values. In fact, what this film was trying to do was take an attractive cast to try & keep women in their traditional role here of looking for a man as the only way to be happy. Considering that divorce rates were already climbing by 1960 creating many single parent house holds, it was going to take Hollywood several more years before they would even get to this stark reality.There is some priceless comedy in this film as Frank Gorshin who is a stand up comedian & then the Riddler on Batman, is at his rubber faced best here. People now forget Gorshin was a top impressionist during this era. Some of his talent shows here. This Technicolor film is fine for the scenery & cast but put your brain away as the plot is very light weight.

Attractive locales and performers can't compensate for flimsy, uncharismatic story of college girls vacationing in Ft. Lauderdale in search of potential mates; all the gals are chaste except for Yvette Mimieux, whose flirtations are a signal to us that she's in for trouble! Comedy begins OK, but quickly degenerates as the kids start matching up (of all the couples, Connie Francis and Frank Gorshin, playing a nearly-blind jazz musician, are certainly the oddest). The slapstick finale is just stupid, and the cast (including Dolores Hart and Paula Prentiss) strain for laughs. Francis, singing-star making her movie debut, also croons the title tune--the only truly memorable thing in the picture. Remade as a cheesy T&A flick in 1984. *1/2 from ****

A bunch of college girls (Delores Hart, Yvette Mimieux, Paula Prentiss, Connie Francis) spend Easter vacation in Ft. Lauderdale. There they meet some handsome young men (among them are George Hamilton, Jim Hutton and Frank Gorshin) and love, sex and drama occur.For its time this was pretty shocking. There is talk about having sex (called "playing house") and how some girls think it's OK. And Mimieux is raped--not shown but made clear. But by today's standards this is VERY tame...and kind of silly.I saw this a few years ago at the Provincetown Film Festival. Connie Francis was on hand to introduce the film. She HATED it! She said it's a stupid film, doesn't belong in any film festival and she hated the way she looked and acted. In fact she said she only did the film because her father didn't want her to! To be truthful she isn't good. Her character is secondary and the one song she sings on screen (not the title song) is pretty bad. Still it's isn't THAT bad.It's pretty light and flimsy (the rape aside) and the dialogue is on the level of a good sitcom. And all the girls and guys are SO nice and friendly and everything looks perfect. Also the title song (sung during the opening credits) IS a great song. It's pleasant, non taxing viewing and kind of fun to see what was considered racy way back then. This is the perfect movie to watch on a lazy, warm summer afternoon. Also look for the scene (which brought howls from my audience) of a doctor coming out of an operating room...and immediately lighting a cigarette! Pleasant, light entertainment. Recommended...if that's what you're looking for.