How to Commit Marriage

How to Commit Marriage is a classic 1969 American comedy film that featured some of the biggest stars of its time, including Bob Hope, Jackie Gleason, and Jane Wyman. Directed by Norman Panama and penned by Michael Kanin and Ben Starr, the film spins a hilarious tale of love, divorce, and the search for happiness.

Bob Hope plays the role of Frank Benson, a veteran trombone player in a big band. Opposite him, Jane Wyman portrays his wife, Elaine Benson. After many long, bickering years of marriage, Frank and Elaine decide that they've had enough of one another and agree to get a divorce. Despite this mutual decision, their love story doesn't end there.

In parallel, the film also focuses on the lives of their daughter, Nancy Benson, and her boyfriend, David Poe. The young couple is in love and ready to get married. However, upon learning about their parents' decision to part ways, they become skeptical of the institution of marriage. Instead of walking down the traditional path, they decide to live together, single but committed, much to the chagrin of their rather conservative parents.

Jackie Gleason's character, Oliver Poe, David's father, forms the humorous third angle in this multi-dimensional comedy. He is a wealthy businessman with a peculiar combination of manipulative cunning and genuine love for his son. Trying to grapple with their children's unconventional beliefs in relationships and determined to see them married, Frank and Oliver join forces on a comically flawed mission.

The comedic plot thickens when both Frank and Elaine try to act their youthful best to win over their daughter and her boyfriend, to convince them about the 'virtues' of a married life. Meanwhile, they must navigate their separate lives and figure out how to live without one another.

Suddenly, in walks the charismatic and mesmerizing character played by internationally renowned music maestro, Leslie Nielsen, who assumes the role of a spiritual guru named Phil Fletcher, better known as "The Baba Ziba". Armed with his exotic charm, The Baba Ziba woos Elaine while the single and ready-to-mingle Frank is likewise taken in by a young, beautiful woman named Lois Grey, finely portrayed by Tina Louise.

The movie graciously mixes comedy and drama to comment on classic themes such as love, marriage, generational conflicts, and the pursuit of individual freedom. Moreover, it also humorously touches on the contrast between traditional values and the rapidly changing attitudes towards love and relationships in the late 1960s.

Hope and Gleason, as experienced comedians, carry the movie with their exceptional comic timing, delivering punchlines and humor that are sure to elicit hearty laughter. Their on-screen rivalry also forms one of the most comical aspects of the film. Jane Wyman, in her role as Elaine Benson, is brilliant to watch. She gracefully portrays the complex emotions of a woman caught between a new found freedom and a life-long commitment.

Additionally, the film has a robust supporting cast with talented actors such as Maureen Arthur and Leslie Nielsen, who add more layers to the humor and narrative depth of the film. The chemistry between all the actors is palpable, generating a delightful ambiance that keeps the audience engaged from the opening credits to the final scene.

This isn't just a film about disintegrating marriages and new beginnings, it's also about the humor that life often serves up in the most unexpected ways. The script is designed to make you laugh but, in its own unique way, How to Commit Marriage imparts profound messages about love, life, and relationships.

In a nutshell, How to Commit Marriage is a delightful comedy that taps into the lighthearted yet meaningful cinema of the late '60s. This film offers a nostalgic trip for those who remember the era and a wonderful opportunity for those who appreciate classic comedy. It effortlessly brings laughter while asking its audience to question the societal norms and traditional expectations of love and commitment. It is certainly a must-watch film for any fan of Bob Hope, Jackie Gleason, and Jane Wyman, or just anyone looking for good old-fashioned laughter.