Promises! Promises!

Promises! Promises! is a 1963, hour and a half-long low-budget sex comedy directed by King Donovan and produced by Tommy Noonan, who also stars in the movie along with Mamie Van Doren, Mickey Rooney, and Peter Marshall. The movie is widely known for being the first Hollywood motion picture release of the sound era to feature a major star—Mamie Van Doren—in the nude, though every scene featuring nudity was carefully handled to avoid explicitness and centered around comical scenarios. The film takes the simplicity of a farce to offer an audacious and daring visual feast for its time, thus evolving in the domain of adult-oriented comedies.

The plot unfolds on a yacht sailing on the high seas, isolated from the conventions of society. It revolves around a central duo, the characters of Sandy Brooks (Van Doren) and Jeff (Noonan). Sandy’s doting husband Jeff, who is the proud owner of a frozen-food company, lacks paternal instincts but agrees with his wife to expand their family after two years of marital bliss that has been child-free. The couple leaves on an ecstatic journey across seas, hoping the pristine and undisturbed environment will be conducive to conceiving. To oversee Sandy's pregnancies as well as weave in and out of the narrative's comic relief, there is a rather quirky doctor, hilariously played by Mickey Rooney.

The narrative takes an interesting and humorous twist with the arrival of Claire Banner, played by beautiful Marie McDonald. Claire joins the voyage with her husband, Ken, played by suave Peter Marshal, under the pretext of a vacation while her actual thought is to get pregnant, mimicking the central duo's intent of the cruise. However, her husband, who is more interested in drafting his novel, is unresponsive to her desires. Thus begins an amusing saga of misunderstandings, mixed-up identities and comical situations, turning dreams into a web of hilarious situations.

Mamie Van Doren showcases her singing capabilities in this film, with a blend of seductive jazz and lively pop. With her platinum blonde hair and impeccable style, Van Doren delivers a commendable performance as the assertive yet loving wife, adding layers to the character of Sandy. Tommy Noonan gives justice to the character of a clueless, witty, and ironic husband. Mickey Rooney's character becomes the star of the show, adding an uncanny charm to the madness.

Promises! Promises! is certainly a revolutionary film that shook the censorship norms of the Hollywood's classic era. Interestingly, it went through a number of production and release obstacles due to the controversy surrounding it. Still, it proved to be a commercial success in spite of its borderline risqué subject matter, thanks, probably, to its novelty and comical approach. Clearly, the movie does more than just showcasing a star's nude body—it equally centers on the awakening of several emotional aspects encompassing a sharp critique to the conservative models of sexuality and couple's dynamics.

Moreover, the film’s scoring includes catchy tunes that were quite popular during the release. Director King Donovan, in his only directorial venture, maneuvered the limitations of an indie production while giving a touch of a mainstream movie with the help of thoughtful one-liners, intriguing camera work, efficient lighting, and gripping twists.

All in all, Promises! Promises! is considered as a landmark film in the annals of Hollywood history, turning the tables of cinema's narrative structure and unashamedly addressing the hush-hushed notions of nudity, conception, and expectations idealizing it. The movie is an interesting pick for the fans of classic Hollywood, particularly those intrigued by the films of the early '60s that dared to challenge the then standards of decency. The film ideally encapsulates mischief, humor, catchy musical numbers, and some major Hollywood talents strictly in the context of its era.