New York matchmaker Shirley Booth (as Dolly Gallagher Levi) is assigned to pick a mate for wealthy old gentleman Paul Ford (as Horace Vandergelder); but, Ms. Booth decides she wants him for herself. Meanwhile, Anthony Perkins (as Cornelius Hackl), who works for Mr. Ford, falls for young Shirley MacLaine (as Irene Molloy). However, Ms. MacLaine is Ford's hottest prospect. Can Ms. Booth get Ford to changes his preference for the very young?
"Life's never quite interesting enough, somehow; you people who come to the movies know that," Booth explains, in the introduction. The statement could serve as a review for the film; it's never quite interesting enough, somehow. "The Matchmaker" is a bright production, with a likable cast, that really never achieves its full potential as a film. Its stage origins are clearly evident. In the transition, the film changes all the wrong things, and keeps what it should have discarded. For example, the characters "speaking to the camera" becomes tiresome, after Booth's charming opening.
One thing filmmakers wisely kept was actor Robert Morse (as Barnaby Tucker), who essayed the role on stage, alongside Arthur Hill. Mr. Morse effortlessly equals his higher-billed co-stars. For as long as he's on camera, Morse does not for one moment surrender the screen to anyone. If the film were better received, Morse might have been considered for a "Best Supporting Actor" award.
"The Matchmaker" returned, to both stage and film, as "Hello, Dolly!"
"Life's never quite interesting enough, somehow; you people who come to the movies know that," Booth explains, in the introduction. The statement could serve as a review for the film; it's never quite interesting enough, somehow. "The Matchmaker" is a bright production, with a likable cast, that really never achieves its full potential as a film. Its stage origins are clearly evident. In the transition, the film changes all the wrong things, and keeps what it should have discarded. For example, the characters "speaking to the camera" becomes tiresome, after Booth's charming opening.
One thing filmmakers wisely kept was actor Robert Morse (as Barnaby Tucker), who essayed the role on stage, alongside Arthur Hill. Mr. Morse effortlessly equals his higher-billed co-stars. For as long as he's on camera, Morse does not for one moment surrender the screen to anyone. If the film were better received, Morse might have been considered for a "Best Supporting Actor" award.
"The Matchmaker" returned, to both stage and film, as "Hello, Dolly!"