Love Is a Ball
Encyclopedia
Love Is a Ball is a 1963 romantic
comedy film
starring Glenn Ford
and Hope Lange
. It is based on the book The Grand Duke and Mr. Pimm by Lindsay Hardy.
) has an unusual way of making a living: he arranges for impoverished European aristocrats to marry unsuspecting rich women. He is then discreetly compensated for his efforts by the husbands. His latest target is Millicent "Milly" Mehaffey (Hope Lange), newly arrived on the Riviera
. Pimm and his assistant Janine (Ulla Jacobsson
) begin grooming the penniless Grand Duke
Gaspard Ducluzeau (Ricardo Montalban
) for Milly, hiring Julian Soames (John Wood
) to teach him manners and English. As their target fancies herself a race car driver (and intends to compete in the upcoming International Grand Prix), Pimm recruits John Lathrop Davis (Glenn Ford), a former Grand Prix champion, to teach Gaspard to drive.
Pimm "accidentally" meets Milly's uncle and guardian, Dr. Christian Gump (Telly Savalas
, cast against type as a cultured gourmet) and invites him to a dinner prepared by his personal, world-renowned chef, Maurice Zoltan (André Luguet
). Gump cannot resist. After dinner, he is introduced to the handsome young duke, well prepared after weeks of intensive training. As Pimm had hoped, Gump begs him to bring the duke to a party he has arranged for Milly, confiding that he hopes they fall in love and that his troublesome ward will settle down.
Meanwhile, Priory (Laurence Hardy), another of Pimm's minions, has gotten himself hired as the chauffeur, to spy on the family. When a polo ball hit by Gaspard breaks Priory's arm, a reluctant Davis is sent in his place. Davis is openly contemptuous of Milly's amateurish intention to compete in a professional race, causing clashes with his spoiled employer. As they spend more time together though, her initial dislike turns into love.
With the romance between Milly and Gaspard not proceeding very well, Pimm suggests to Milly that the young couple spend a romantic night together at his private villa. She takes him up on his offer, only with Davis, not Gaspard. The next morning, Milly learns the truth and is at first outraged, even though Pimm confesses that Davis was not the intended groom. For revenge, she decides to marry an oafish suitor named Freddie (Jean Parédès). However, on the wedding day, her wise grandmother (Ruth McDevitt
) convinces her to reconcile with Davis. This is just fine with Gaspard, as he has fallen for Janine.
Romance film
Romance films are love stories that focus on passion, emotion, and the affectionate involvement of the main characters and the journey that their love takes through courtship or marriage. Romance films make the love story or the search for love the main plot focus...
comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
starring Glenn Ford
Glenn Ford
Glenn Ford was a Canadian-born American actor from Hollywood's Golden Era with a career that spanned seven decades...
and Hope Lange
Hope Lange
Hope Elise Ross Lange was an American stage, film, and television actress.- Early life :Lange was born into a theatrical family in Redding, Connecticut...
. It is based on the book The Grand Duke and Mr. Pimm by Lindsay Hardy.
Plot
Etienne Pimm (Charles BoyerCharles Boyer
Charles Boyer was a French actor who appeared in more than 80 films between 1920 and 1976. After receiving an education in drama, Boyer started on the stage, but he found success in movies during the 1930s. His memorable performances were among the era's most highly praised romantic dramas,...
) has an unusual way of making a living: he arranges for impoverished European aristocrats to marry unsuspecting rich women. He is then discreetly compensated for his efforts by the husbands. His latest target is Millicent "Milly" Mehaffey (Hope Lange), newly arrived on the Riviera
French Riviera
The Côte d'Azur, pronounced , often known in English as the French Riviera , is the Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France, also including the sovereign state of Monaco...
. Pimm and his assistant Janine (Ulla Jacobsson
Ulla Jacobsson
Ulla Jacobsson was a Swedish actress who is perhaps best known for playing one of the very few female roles in the film Zulu....
) begin grooming the penniless Grand Duke
Grand Duke
The title grand duke is used in Western Europe and particularly in Germanic countries for provincial sovereigns. Grand duke is of a protocolary rank below a king but higher than a sovereign duke. Grand duke is also the usual and established translation of grand prince in languages which do not...
Gaspard Ducluzeau (Ricardo Montalban
Ricardo Montalbán
Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalbán y Merino, KSG was a Mexican radio, television, theatre and film actor. He had a career spanning six decades and many notable roles...
) for Milly, hiring Julian Soames (John Wood
John Wood (English actor)
John Wood, CBE was an English actor.-Biography:Wood was born in Derbyshire and studied law at Jesus College, Oxford where he was president of the Oxford University Dramatic Society. Changing to drama, Wood became known as a stage actor, appearing in numerous West End productions as well as on...
) to teach him manners and English. As their target fancies herself a race car driver (and intends to compete in the upcoming International Grand Prix), Pimm recruits John Lathrop Davis (Glenn Ford), a former Grand Prix champion, to teach Gaspard to drive.
Pimm "accidentally" meets Milly's uncle and guardian, Dr. Christian Gump (Telly Savalas
Telly Savalas
Aristotelis "Telly" Savalas was an American film and television actor and singer, whose career spanned four decades. Best known for playing the title role in the 1970s crime drama Kojak, Savalas was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Birdman of Alcatraz...
, cast against type as a cultured gourmet) and invites him to a dinner prepared by his personal, world-renowned chef, Maurice Zoltan (André Luguet
André Luguet
André Luguet was a French film actor. He appeared in over 120 films between 1910 and 1970.He was born in Fontenay-sous-Bois, France and died in Cannes, France.-Selected filmography:* The Mad Genius...
). Gump cannot resist. After dinner, he is introduced to the handsome young duke, well prepared after weeks of intensive training. As Pimm had hoped, Gump begs him to bring the duke to a party he has arranged for Milly, confiding that he hopes they fall in love and that his troublesome ward will settle down.
Meanwhile, Priory (Laurence Hardy), another of Pimm's minions, has gotten himself hired as the chauffeur, to spy on the family. When a polo ball hit by Gaspard breaks Priory's arm, a reluctant Davis is sent in his place. Davis is openly contemptuous of Milly's amateurish intention to compete in a professional race, causing clashes with his spoiled employer. As they spend more time together though, her initial dislike turns into love.
With the romance between Milly and Gaspard not proceeding very well, Pimm suggests to Milly that the young couple spend a romantic night together at his private villa. She takes him up on his offer, only with Davis, not Gaspard. The next morning, Milly learns the truth and is at first outraged, even though Pimm confesses that Davis was not the intended groom. For revenge, she decides to marry an oafish suitor named Freddie (Jean Parédès). However, on the wedding day, her wise grandmother (Ruth McDevitt
Ruth McDevitt
Ruth McDevitt was an American stage, film, radio and television actress.-Career:She was born Ruth Thane Shoecraft in Coldwater, Michigan. After attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she married Patrick McDevitt and decided to devote her time to her marriage. After her husband's death in...
) convinces her to reconcile with Davis. This is just fine with Gaspard, as he has fallen for Janine.
Cast
- Glenn FordGlenn FordGlenn Ford was a Canadian-born American actor from Hollywood's Golden Era with a career that spanned seven decades...
as John Lathrop Davis - Hope LangeHope LangeHope Elise Ross Lange was an American stage, film, and television actress.- Early life :Lange was born into a theatrical family in Redding, Connecticut...
as Millicent "Millie" Mehaffey - Charles BoyerCharles BoyerCharles Boyer was a French actor who appeared in more than 80 films between 1920 and 1976. After receiving an education in drama, Boyer started on the stage, but he found success in movies during the 1930s. His memorable performances were among the era's most highly praised romantic dramas,...
as Etienne Pimm - Ricardo MontalbanRicardo MontalbánRicardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalbán y Merino, KSG was a Mexican radio, television, theatre and film actor. He had a career spanning six decades and many notable roles...
as Duke Gaspard Ducluzeau - Telly SavalasTelly SavalasAristotelis "Telly" Savalas was an American film and television actor and singer, whose career spanned four decades. Best known for playing the title role in the 1970s crime drama Kojak, Savalas was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Birdman of Alcatraz...
as Dr. Christian Gump - Ruth McDevittRuth McDevittRuth McDevitt was an American stage, film, radio and television actress.-Career:She was born Ruth Thane Shoecraft in Coldwater, Michigan. After attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she married Patrick McDevitt and decided to devote her time to her marriage. After her husband's death in...
as Mathilda - Ulla JacobssonUlla JacobssonUlla Jacobsson was a Swedish actress who is perhaps best known for playing one of the very few female roles in the film Zulu....
as Janine - Georgette Anys as Mme. Gallou
- Robert Bettoni as Milkman
- Mony Dalmès as Mme. Fernier
- Laurence Hardy as Priory
- Jean Le Maitre as Carlo
- André LuguetAndré LuguetAndré Luguet was a French film actor. He appeared in over 120 films between 1910 and 1970.He was born in Fontenay-sous-Bois, France and died in Cannes, France.-Selected filmography:* The Mad Genius...
as Maurice Zoltan - Jean Parédès as Freddie
- Redmond PhillipsRedmond PhillipsRedmond Bernard Phillips was a New Zealand born actor and writer.Phillips was born in Reefton, New Zealand and began acting in the theatre while a student at Victoria University of Wellington...
as Starcy - Erika Soucy as Gretl
- Aram Stephan as Gallou
- Olga Valéry as Mme. Giardin
- John WoodJohn Wood (English actor)John Wood, CBE was an English actor.-Biography:Wood was born in Derbyshire and studied law at Jesus College, Oxford where he was president of the Oxford University Dramatic Society. Changing to drama, Wood became known as a stage actor, appearing in numerous West End productions as well as on...
as Julian Soames - Jean-Pierre Zola as Mueller