Bachelor Flat (1962)

Terry-Thomas - Babe Magnet, 9 May 2009

There's something about the innocence of these early-to-mid 60s comedies that I find enjoyable. These movies aren't as jaded as today's so called comedies, relying on comedy, writing, and the talent of the actors. I'm sure that there are situations in Bachelor Flat that someone in 1962 might have found scandalous, but today I can't imagine anyone batting an eye at the film. Maybe I'm getting old, but in a way I really miss these movies.

The plot of Bachelor Flat finds the very British Terry-Thomas playing an anthropologist named Professor Patterson at a California university. For whatever reason, the women in his life are drawn to him like flies to sugar. He's a babe magnet! This set-up creates quit a few comedic moments as young and old women alike throw themselves at the good professor. Things really get complicated when the 17 year-old daughter of his fiancé (of whom he's unaware – the daughter, not the fiancé) suddenly shows up at the doorstep of the house he rents from his bride to be.

At its worst, Bachelor Flat is a harmless enough diversion. It might not be the best or funniest movie I've ever seen, but I was entertained throughout most of the 91 minute runtime. At its best, watching the stiff, very British Terry-Thomas deal with the multitude of women he finds mysteriously attracted to him is often quite funny. But this is also the film's biggest weakness. Terry-Thomas is best at playing the scheming, conniving villainous role. Being the object of desire to a string of attractive women just doesn't seem right. He's okay in the role, just not a very good casting decision in my opinion. Then again, maybe that's what the people behind Bachelor Flat were going for – playing Terry-Thomas against stereotype. If that's the case, they succeeded beyond their wildest dreams.

6/10