Love Is a Ball (1963)

People are voting emotionally.

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

The real reason to see this movie is the CARS. Shot in the early 60's, I actually remember seeing a promo on the Carson show. It takes place during the Grand Prix, but in addition to the race cars, you can see what are now classics, 3500 GT Spyder Maserati, 300SL cabriolet, Rolls Royce cabriolet, 50's Corvette, Mercedes gullwing, the list just goes on. For any REAL car nut, this movie is a gem!

Tremendously entertaining and fun romantic comedy, set on the Riviera, filmed in warm sunshine with a top cast of real professionals. Saw it at the Royal in San Francisco, 3-31-63; co-feature was the Stewart Granger swashbuckler SWORDSMAN OF SIENA. Walked to the theatre from my apartment on a pleasant evening, for a comfortable evening at the movies, in a well appointed neighborhood house, for which I had a Pass. In the old days, one could expect a good time at the movies most times out, and always get value for money. In my case, it was a cinch

Having never seen LOVE IS A BALL (really insipid title), but reading IMDB reader's glowing comments of the film, I watched it in letterbox on TCM. The first thing that struck me was, why was a movie that had so many MGM contract players released by United Artists. The movie certainly immediately displayed handsome production values (though, a lousy score). Also, David Swift (POLLYANNA, THE PARENT TRAP, GOOD NEIGHBOR SAM) has always been a favorite. After a few minutes watching, I understand if MGM really did pass on this one. I'm willing to cut a comedy (particularly a funny one) a GREAT deal of slack. HOWEVER, the idea of an eccentric millionaire running a clandestine matchmaking service to get together "poor" nobility and "rich" commoners is a bit munch. How long could such an operation stay secret, the first successful match or (more likely) the first disasterous failure. Rich people STAY rich by carefully checking out ANYONE whom approaches them. Couple that with the idea that a champion race car driver (Glenn Ford) would go along with this nonsense rather than going back into racing to get his boat out of hock. And that the "madcap" heiress (a surprisingly charmless Hope Lange), herself a racing car enthusiast, would not recognize either Ford's face or his name. Is one really expected to believe titled nobility (Ricardo Montleban, very good) would have to be taught virtually ALL the social graces? Or that Lange,rebelling against the setup, would offer to marry the repellent count?Even with its problems, the movie improves a great deal in the second half. Hope Lange gets better as her wardrobe improves (its goshawful in the first half). By films end, she does generate chemistry with Ford. However, this is WAY too late to save the movie.Perhaps the best reason to see this movie is to see Telly Savalas when he still had a little hair.Love IS a Ball; Too bad this movie isn't...

It's a number of things... We have a really fine cast; Glenn Ford in top form, very good supporting co-stars, an exotic setting (for most of us!), and a romantic plot.I think this is a movie that will make you feel good, and it's without any violence or malice at all.My only "problem" with this film is that it's a number of years since I last saw it...If ***YOU*** know how to get hold of a copy, please let me know!P.S. Have you seen "The Sheepman" (also a Glenn Ford unforgettable).