Customer Reviews

Facts of Life [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
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I've seen many many movies with Lucy in them and I have to say this is my alltime favorite! Maybe because Bob Hope is in it too.... This movie is about two married couples, the two girls are friends and the two guys are friends. They spend all their vacations together. But the married guy Bob Hope and the married girl Lucy can't stand each other. But then when they are about to go on vacation both Lucy's husband and Bob's wife cant go so they have to go alone. Thats how it all begins with them falling in love. It's a hilarious and romantic movie. A must see for all Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, or just old time movie fans.

Anyone coming to a viewing of "The Facts of Life", thinking that they will see a zany Lucy and a fast quipping Bob Hope are liable to come away a bit let down here as these two comedy legends take on relatively "straight" characters in a most interesting social comedy/drama about the pitfalls of infidelity and marital commitments. Seen through the thoughts of Lucille Ball's character of "happily married" Kitty Weaver, "The Facts of Life", marks a most pleasing change of pace for the two leads who handle the very "adult" subject matter (at least for 1960!), with great expertise. Lucille Ball in particular in a performance far removed from lovable Lucy Ricardo is superb and her strong dramatic moments here really illustrate a part of her acting expertise seldom seen before.

"The Facts of Life", focuses on life in a tightly knit upper middle class suburban community, and as Lucy's character of Kitty informs us everyone knows each other, socialises with each others and knows what is in store for them probably for the rest of their lives. Kitty is married to Jack Weaver (Don DeFore),a workaholic who really hasn't been spending the proper amount of time with his wife and children. Larry Gilbert (Bob Hope) is another "branch", of the extended social network in the community who is married to "perfect" wife Mary (Ruth Hussey). Even though the families socialise together and even vacation together every year Kitty always views Larry as a pain in the neck who delivers unfunny comedy sketches at the local club and really isn't someone she wants around alot of the time despite the families being friends. When the groups annual vacation time comes up they all plan to travel to Acapulco however through a series of circumstances Kitty and Larry find themselves not only "spouseless", on the holiday but thrown together as company for the entire vacation. Both circle each other carefully for the first few days trying not to be in each others way however on a planned fishing boat trip the two suddenly begin to realise the other is not the horror they had thought. A rapport begins in particular after they realise they went to the same school and know some of the same past students. Common ground develops into some genuine laughs between the two and then a true love blossoms between them. The time comes however for the two to face reality and return to the United States and their normal lives. Back at home the two try to avoid each other but both find the going tough as the find their marriages empty and the need for each other still strong. The two have an aborted attempt to stay in a motel over night together and then a diseasterous attempt at a weekend away which concludes in a equally horrendous air flight home,sours their thoughts of a life together. The two realise that their families do need them and that the "facts of life", for each are that what they had in Acapulco is something that isn't possible at the stage they are at in their lives. The conclusion sees the couple back with their respective spouses returning to the "normal", existence they had before they "discovered", each other.

Considered "racy", stuff for 1960's audiences "The Facts of Life", handles the issues of adultery and temptation in a surprisingly tasteful manner. The characters of Kitty and Larry never come across as unlikeable characters and it's a real credit to the playing of Lucille Ball and Bob Hope that this quite delicate subject matter is handled so well. Lucille Ball I feel really came of age as an actress here and her Kitty is a wonderful combination of someone wanting to be a free spirit but who is still troubled with a sound conscience about the reprecussions of what she feels tempted to do with Larry. Of course there are a number of very amusing scenes for Lucy to shine in, namely the hilarious drive in scene and the action on board the ship where she fights a giant marlin for hours which are sure to have you laughing at Lucy's supreme comedy talent. Being slightly older of course than when she had her golden comedy time as Lucy Ricardo also helps and she definately displays a new maturity with a serious character to work with. Lucille Ball and Bob Hope always combined well on screen and the pair did a number of highly successful comedy films together. However in alot of ways "The Facts of Life", is one of the more interesting as both are forced by the screenplay (written by writer/director Melvin Frank and Norman Panama) to actually stretch themselves as actors with real characters to work with that aren't all laughs and comedy high jinks.

One doesn't normally associate Lucy or Bob Hope with warm romantic stories with characters in a moral dilemma however this is what makes "The Facts of Life", recommended viewing and despite many saying Bob Hope in particular was miscast I personally feel it reveals much pleasing work by the comedian who has as always a magical chemistry with his leading lady. For more bittersweet moments than huge belly laughs try and view "The Facts of Life", soon it shows a pleasingly different Bob Hope and Lucille Ball that I believe you will find most appealing.

This movie is VERY good. I didn't want it to end! Lucy was AWESOME in this movie. She handles the material very well considering just before this movie was filmed she went through a divorce (because of Desi's affairs). The ending is a little twisted. But this movie is WORTH EVERY PENNY!

This is a wonderful Ball-Hope movie that takes a serious, yet often humerous, look at relationships. The characters of Ball and Hope are married--but not to each other--and fall in love when unexpected events find them alone together on a vaction. They spend much of the film trying to forget what has happened, but find it increasingly difficult. A bitter-sweet ending makes this movie a classic, both for movie fans, and espcially the fans of these comedic giants.

A hilarious movie about a husband and a wife who fall in love. Only they are not married to each other.

Lucy made this movie right after her divorce from Desi was final. It is a different Lucy than the Mrs Ricardo we all fell in love with during the 1950's. This movie was made and released in 1960 and it is a sophisticated comedy. The humor is adult and subtle. Lucy is wonderful in it as is Bob Hope. This movie was also nominated for 5 Academy awards. The plot goes like this: Lucy and Bob are married to different people and they merely tolerate each other. They, along with their spouses and 2 other couples, are to vacation in Mexico. What ends up happening is only Lucy and Bob end up going and they find out they have more in common than they previously thought or knew. They fall in love. What happens next? You will need to watch the movie to find out. Ruth Hussey, Louis Nye also appear as well as Phil Ober who, by the way, is Vivian Vances ex husband.

There is something splendid about this little comedy starring two of the most hilariously on-point comedic minds of all time; Bob Hope and Lucille Ball. Yes, even though some of the gags don't quite work, Ball and Hope are never short of amazing and they help to elevate the `at times' ridiculousness of the script. I say `at times' and I mean it, because for the most part this movie delivers quite strongly. It is only in parts where things don't quite add up.

Ball and Hope play Kitty and Larry respectively. Neither can stand one another yet both are married to the others best friend. Kitty is married to Jack, a nice and responsible man, and Larry is married to Mary, a charming bride; but both Mary and Jack are at times too preoccupied with their own lives that Kitty and Larry wind up feeling neglected. When a routine vacation goes awry, and Larry and Kitty find themselves in paradise; alone, the unthinkable happens; they fall in love.

They try and force their feelings for one another onto the backburner, but everyday life continues to throw them into each other company, and those feelings begin to fester and grow.

`The Facts of Life' may be dated, but it never feels that way. It was made in the 60's yet the issue of adultery is still very much a taboo subject and is still very prevalent. The idea of sneaking around and repressing feelings is not an uncommon practice and so `The Facts of Life' has not lost points due to the change in times. In fact, this movie could really, frame for frame, have come out last year for all we know; it feels that `modern'. The performances are also wonderful. Bob Hope and Lucille Ball were true stars, and it shows on every frame. Ball in my opinion truly steals the show here though and she manages to make herself even more lovely and sympathetic than on her hit television show.

The script is, for the most part, quite solid. Like I mentioned, there are a few areas where some tweaking could have been done, but it's never a hindrance. I for one found the `drive in movie' scene to be a tad unnecessary, yet I found the `convertible top fiasco' scene to be a riot.

That said; the film truly deserves to be seen and adored.

It's a rarity these days to find a film that tackles this very subject with objectivity and just the right amount of humor. We all know that what these two people are doing is wrong, and they know it too; but unlike so many movies today, we are able to ride the balanced line of understanding and disapproval. In films today the adulterers are either made to be extremely unsympathetic or they are overly sympathetic. We are either rooting for them are firmly against them. Thankfully `The Facts of Life' paints a picture of two average individuals we can understand and appreciate for their good, and their bad traits.

*** This review contains spoilers ***


This movie surprised me. I really enjoyed it. Lucy is stunning as a glamor star. She gets the soft focus and lighting, the glamor hair and makeup, but the showstopper is the glamor wardrobe. I've never seen her look more beautiful.

I did not know that Lucy had made it so far in her movie career as to be able to star as a glamor girl, opposite Bob Hope yet. Another notch on the resume of this fascinating woman.

My wife and I had just been discussing Lucy's talents as a straight actress and by coincidence this movie came on the next day. I had the opinion that Lucy was best in comedy and was not quite right in a straight role. This movie proved me wrong on that! She is convincing and when she kissed Bob I really believed it.

Bob is also great. His comedy style here is more subtle than usual, playing funny bits off in a straight style without the usual hamming. The bit with the hankie made me belly laugh.

The subject matter of this movie is similar to other movies of the early 60s as the sexual revolution was just starting...all clean and above board on the surface, yet doing their best to titillate us with sexual situations and innuendo. As I said in my review of Bob's "I'll Take Sweden," I find this juvenile and boring. There's no shock value left by now, so it falls flat. However, this movie tackles more serious subjects than simply titillating sex, namely the subjects of infidelity, marriage, and marital boredom. That is more interesting and even in 2005 I found the subject matter moving and thought-provoking.

The script is tight and witty, with good dialog. The plot is also more or less water tight with plausible motivations.

Good stuff....worth watching.

I love Lucy, but this movie was not one of her best. Too bad they filmed it in black and white too.

Through the years, screen legends Lucille Ball (1916-1989) and Bob Hope (1903-2003) collaborated in films four times. The Facts of Life (1960) is their third film together, and ranks with Fancy Pants (1950) as one of their better efforts. Although many today may have become familiar with the "Queen of Comedy " through her various TV sitcoms, Lucille Ball was a very talented actress, who also had a significant movie career. Her performance here is a fine example of her dramatic acting skills. Mr. Hope is also very good, just slightly toning down his trademark one-liners and quips, in this sensitive drama that recounts the development of a love affair among a group of close friends.

Every year, three couples, the Gilberts, the Weavers, and the Masons, residents of Pasadena, customarily take a vacation together, and this time their destination is Acapulco. Ad man Larry Gilbert (Hope) and Kitty Weaver (Ball) don't particularly like each other, but circumstances bring them together as reluctant companions, when each of their spouses has to stay back for a few days. After the Masons' come down with some kind of bug, Larry and Kitty discover that they have things in common while they are deep sea fishing. Love begins to bloom, as the couple spends the rest of their time together, leaving things a bit unsettled when the vacationers all return to their "normal" lives.

Neither Ruth's husband Jack (Don DeFore), nor Larry's wife Ruth (Mary Gilbert), seems very interested in what happened in Acapulco. Constantly running into each other at various events, and with some feelings of guilt, Kitty and Larry eventually attempt to pursue their relationship. Even though standards may have relaxed today, fidelity is still important, and the film still has an impact. The couple somewhat naively attempt to conduct an illicit affair, and are nearly recognized while at a drive-in theater. Always the smooth talker, Gilbert attempts to lie his way out of a number of tight spots, but when checking into a motel with Kitty, a frazzled Gilbert signs the register as "Mr. and Mrs. G. Washington".

In a winning performance, Lucille Ball nicely captures the feeling of being in love, mixed with guilt, remorse, and trepidation. Written and directed by Melvin Frank there isn't a hint of anything cheap or sleazy in the film, that ends up in a rather conventional fashion. With quality dialog, strong acting performances, and sophisticated humor, this fine film was recognized by being nominated for five Academy Awards.

The DVD is a dual sided disc with the full screen version on one side, and widescreen on the other. Image quality of the black and white print is very good. As yet, this film has not been released separately on DVD, but was included in the Bob Hope MGM Legends box set. So at this writing, the Facts of Life is mostly available on the secondary market.