“Where the Boys Are 1960” is a classic coming-of-age film about four girls on a wild spring break adventure in Fort Lauderdale.
The movie follows their escapades as they soak up the sun, hit the bars, and fall in love.
But with love comes heartbreak, and the girls quickly realize that paradise isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
Ultimately, they learn valuable lessons about life, love, and friendship while growing into strong, independent women.
CLICK HERE⇣⇣⇣🎦_Watch Where the Boys Are 1960 English Subtitles_
Review
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” This famous opening line from Jane Austen’s novel “Pride and Prejudice” has resonated with readers for over two centuries. However, what happens when the roles are reversed? What if it is the women who are in want of a husband? The 1960 film “Where the Boys Are” explores this very question.
Based on the novel by Glendon Swarthout, “Where the Boys Are” tells the story of four college girls who spend their Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Merritt Andrews (Dolores Hart) is the sensible one, who doesn’t believe in love and marriage. Tuggle Carpenter (Paula Prentiss) is the independent one, who wants to experience everything life has to offer. Melanie Tolman (Yvette Mimieux) is the innocent one, who dreams of finding her prince charming. Finally, Angie (Connie Francis) is the hopeless romantic one, who falls for every guy she meets.
Upon their arrival in Fort Lauderdale, the girls immediately start looking for boys. They go to parties, they go to bars and they even participate in a beauty contest. However, finding Mr. Right proves to be more difficult than they thought. Merritt meets Ryder Smith (George Hamilton), a wealthy playboy who seems interested in her at first but then reveals his true intentions. Tuggle hooks up with TV Thompson (Jim Hutton), a goofy guy who tries too hard to impress her. Melanie falls for Franklin Fane (John Brennan), an intelligent guy but also socially awkward. Finally, Angie falls for Basil (Frank Gorshin), an aspiring musician who has commitment issues.
As the girls go through their romantic adventures, they realize that finding love isn’t easy and that it requires both luck and patience. They also discover that there are different types of love and that each person has his or her own definition of it. Merritt learns that love isn’t about material possessions but about mutual respect and trust. Tuggle learns that love isn’t about thrill-seeking but about emotional connection. Melanie learns that love isn’t about physical attraction but about intellectual stimulation. Finally, Angie learns that love isn’t about fantasies but about reality.
The film also addresses some serious issues such as premarital sex, unwanted pregnancy and abortion. While these topics were taboo at the time, the film handles them with sensitivity and realism. The characters make mistakes, suffer consequences and learn from their experiences. The film doesn’t judge them or preach to them but rather lets them make their own choices.
“Where the Boys Are” was a groundbreaking film in its time, as it portrayed women as sexual beings who had desires and agency. It also showcased Fort Lauderdale as a prime destination for college students during Spring Break, which led to an increase in tourism in the area. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $4 million in the United States alone.
The cast of “Where the Boys Are” was stellar, with Dolores Hart giving a standout performance as Merritt Andrews. Her portrayal of a conflicted young woman torn between her principles and her emotions was nuanced and empathetic. Paula Prentiss was equally impressive as Tuggle Carpenter, bringing humor and vulnerability to her role. Yvette Mimieux was charming as Melanie Tolman, capturing both her innocence and her curiosity. Finally, Connie Francis was delightful as Angie, bringing energy and charm to her role.
The film’s score was also memorable, with the title song “Where the Boys Are” becoming a hit single for Connie Francis. Other songs featured in the film included “Turn On The Sunshine” by Teddy Randazzo and “Frankie And Johnny” by Elvis Presley. The music added to the film’s atmosphere and was an important part of its appeal.
The filming of “Where the Boys Are” took place on location in Fort Lauderdale, which gave the film a realistic and vibrant look. The scenes on the beach, in the hotels and in the streets captured the essence of Spring Break and made viewers feel like they were there. The cinematography by Robert Bronner was impressive, using color to highlight the characters’ emotions and surroundings.
In terms of awards, “Where the Boys Are” earned Connie Francis a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture Actress – Musical/Comedy. The film also inspired a 1984 sequel called “Where The Boys Are ‘84” and a 2012 remake called “Sorority Row”. Both films failed to capture the spirit and charm of the original.
In conclusion, “Where the Boys Are” is a classic film that still resonates with audiences today. It explores themes such as love, friendship, independence and identity with intelligence and humor. It features a talented cast, memorable music and beautiful locations. It is a must-see for anyone who loves romantic comedies or coming-of-age films. As Merritt Andrews would say: “Spring Break only comes once a year, so you have to make it count.”
Technical Data
- Runtime : 99
- Release : 1960-12-28
- Genre : Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Cast : Dolores Hart as Merritt Andrews, George Hamilton as Ryder Smith, Yvette Mimieux as Melanie Tolman, Jim Hutton as TV Thompson, Barbara Nichols as Lola Fandango
- Crew : Lee LeBlanc as Special Effects, Henry Grace as Set Decoration, Fredric Steinkamp as Editor, Hugh Hunt as Set Decoration, George W. Davis as Art Direction
- Popularity 4.939
- Budget : $2,000,000
- Revenue : $3,500,000
- Company : Euterpe Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Summary : Good girls Merritt, Melanie, Tuggle and Angie – all students at mid-western Penmore University – are planning on going to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for spring break to get away from the mid-western snow despite not having much money to spend once there. On the drive down, they admit their real purpose is to go where the boys are.
- Tagline : The hilarious inside story of those rip-roaring spring vacations!
