I can't decide which is more noteworthy about this film – how incredibly sexist it is, how incredibly provincial it is or how its two stars are so clearly inferior versions of other performers.If A Man Answers is a romantic comedy about Chantal Stacy (Sandra Dee), the young daughter of a French mother and Boston father, and her eventual marriage to Eugene Wright (Bobby Darin), a New York City photographer who gives up his bachelor ways for his cute and spunky bride. Chantal starts out as the sort of hot-and-cold girl who dates lots of guys but never lets any of them get past first base. Her parents move to New York City, and even though she's theoretically a grown woman, Chantal tags along. In the city, she meets Eugene and latches onto him as "The One" for her. They're married in short order and the rest of the story focuses on Chantal's efforts to make Eugene into a better husband. First, she follows her mother's advice and literally tries to train Eugene like puppy. Then, following more of her mother's advice, she invents a lover to try and make Eugene jealous. But the comments of her passive-aggressive girlfriend Tina (Stephanie Powers) and the imaginary lover showing up in the flesh at her door send Chantal's plans quite awry.Even for its era, this is a remarkably sexist movie. Not in a "women are stupid and can't do anything themselves" way, but in a "women's entire existence revolves around their men" way. The story proposes that there are only two phases to a woman's life… 1. Land a husband.2. Make him happy.The idea the husband has anything of value to contribute to the marriage or has to take any responsibility for it is never even suggested. Eugene, frankly, acts like a complete ass at times, yet his bad behavior is accepted as perfectly normal for a married man. If you ever want to see what pre-feminist concepts of female empowerment were like, watch If A Man Answers. Both Chantal and her mother are portrayed as the ones who are really in charge of their families, but all their actions are subservient to the needs of their husbands. In a certain sense, they're more like social secretaries than wives. This film is also relentless in promoting marriage as the only appropriate and fulfilling destiny for a woman. The possibility a woman could find anything of value is a life without marriage is not just ignored, it's deliberately undermined.This movie also reminds us how much bigger the world used to be. Chantal having a French mother is treated like the most amazing thing in the world, as though someone from a foreign country marrying an American is something that only happened once a century or so. And Chantal's mother Germaine (Micheline Presle) is portrayed as this wise guru on all things romantic. You know the old movie clichés about all American Indians being more in touch with the land or all Asians being good at karate? That's how this movie treats Germaine, like she's an alien from a more advanced culture who fell in love with one of the Earth natives and uses her sophisticated insight to bring joy and love to her family. She's like a cross between Cupid and Kaine from the TV show Kung Fu.Finally, you can't watch If A Man Answers without noticing that its two lead performers are really knock offs of much bigger movie stars. Sandra Dee is obviously a copy of Doris Day. She's not a cheap copy, but she's definitely bargain priced. Bobby Darin, however, is what you would get if you took Dean Martin, sucked out most of his charm, talent and attractiveness and then shrunk him by about a foot. In fact, when Cesar Romero shows up in the story, he's not only more charming in every way but you can't help but observe that he could pick up Bobby Darin and use him as a toothpick. Darin may have been a very good singer and showman, but he's got no business starring in a motion picture. And while Dee is nice and all that in her own right, if you've ever seen a Doris Day movie you can't help but notice that Dee is a measurably less wonderful imitation.If you can get past its, at times, jaw-dropping sexism and the fact that Bobby Darin is no good at all, If A Man Answers is a fairly pleasant relic from a bygone age. If you liked Doris Day's films, you'll enjoy this as the sincerest form of flattery.

Saw it on DVD. Not very high quality picture and sound, but OK for an early 1960s movie.Having seen "Beyond the Sea" last week, Kevin Spacey's tribute to Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee, watching this original with them in it was great fun.They had only been married a short time in real life, and here Sandra Dee is still only 19 during filming, but seems so much more mature. If one sees Dee in a good cross-section of her roles, you find out that she was a much more accomplished actress than many credit her for.This movie is very stereotyped. Dee's mother, originally from Paris, coaches her daughter on how to find and keep a husband. Even dad says "When are you going to get married?" A job change has them moving from Boston to Manhattan, and there she meets photographer Darin.Mom's secret is to treat the husband as if he were a pet dog, and use the same training techniques. Old friend played by a very young Stephanie Powers creates some tension, but the movie is all comedy, nothing to be taken seriously, and very un-sexy even though there is a running romantic theme. I enjoyed it, for what it is, a 1960s comedy with two young talents.

I am so fortunate that this delightful, romantic, funny romp is now available on DVD (as are "Come September" and "That Funny Feeling"), so people can indulge in this fun fest and the chemistry between Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin (then married in real life).The plot concerns a wealthy young socialite, Chantal Stacy (the lovely and priceless Dee) who as trouble finding Mr. Right, until she meets photographer Eugene Wright (the cute and hilarious Darin). After she marries him, she tries to use her mother's advice by treating him like a pet, thinking that will make him a more affectionate and attentive husband. It works for a while, until Chantal spills her "secret" to her school friend (a young Stefanie Powers), who, just slightly tipsy, lets Eugene in on it, and leaving Chantal to find a different way to get his attention. Again, she turns to her mother for advice for some jealousy tactics. Micheline Presle is a gem as Chantal's mother, while John Lund is perfect as Chantal's protective father. And Cesar Romero is impeccable as Eugene's "dirty old man" artist father taking part in one of the schemes. And the cute dogs and the new little "addition" to the family . . . . .Dee and Darin were an adorable couple, and this movie confirms it. Don't listen to the critics' opinions about this blast from the past - it's a jewel. It's great that so many of these older movies are being released on DVD, as they so justly deserve to be. Now a whole new generation can enjoy them!

Some people seem to have to trash any movie as if that's being a critic. This is a very fun movie to watch. Chantal's (Sandra Dee) marriage has become ho hum and her husband seems to be more interested in work, with models no less, then his new wife so Chantal sets out to renew the spark their relationship once had but she finds no success. Then her mother suggests a book on training a dog to her. At first Chantal is repulsed but having no success any other way why not give it a try. The result is a madcap, whirlwind comedy from the good old days with the tables being turned on Chantal and her mother. This movie isn't on video but if it ever airs on TV again don't miss it! You'll enjoy being entertained and won't even miss the shock content directors add these days. The movie is a film of the play by the same name. Don't miss it and don't let jaded psuedo-critics dissuade you from watching this fun movie with more then one insightful point to ponder.