ChicRawIdol
A brilliant film that helped define a genre
Robert Joyner
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Kaydan Christian
A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
HotToastyRag
Woohoo, it's 1965! Women can show their bellybuttons and say "sex" in movies! Okay, now you've just learned the gist of John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! The 1960s were a glorious time period for Hollywood; during no other time could movie stars be forced to take part in extremely silly movies, and then continue to have a long and glorious career despite them. Doris Day quit the business because she was only offered silly movies, but that was just the sign of the times. Everyone made silly movies! Shirley MacLaine's role could have been played by any number of silly actresses, and clearly, taking this part didn't ruin her career.Richard Crenna plays a government man notorious for getting lost during assignments. In fact, straight-laced "iceberg" journalist Shirley MacLaine has written several stories about him, dubbing him "Wrong Way Goldfarb". Terribly embarrassed, Crenna pretends he's disappeared in the Siberian Mountains, when he's actually taken a wrong turn and landed his plane in the Middle East. He's taken in by Peter Ustinov, a king with a never-ending sex drive, and told he can choose one woman of his very large harem. Little does he know that Shirley MacLaine has smuggled herself into the harem to write an undercover report on the king! That isn't exactly how the plot is unfolded in the movie; the exposition (and really the rest of the movie) is riddled with 1960s sex gags, portrayals of women as objects, stereotypes about the Middle East that would later be looked at as offensive, and bumbling government jokes. For example, at the start of the movie, the men in the office are talking about Shirley behind her back. "Oh, all she needs is a good roll in the—" one man says. The scene cuts to Shirley bent over a water cooler, and man slaps her bottom. "Hey!" she exclaims. Oo! Look what they were able to get away with in 1965! As silly and offensive as this movie is, it actually has some cute parts to it. Shirley doesn't want to have to sleep with the king, so she dons a disguise so hideous he literally jumps on his go-cart and speeds away from her. Offensive, but still pretty hilarious. Crenna helps Shirley out by selecting her from the harem so that she still won't have to sleep with the king, and randomly throughout the night, the king barges into their room (still on his go-cart) to see if Crenna is satisfied or if he's prepared to give her up. Offensive, but still a little funny.So, if you're not a modern day feminist and you won't get on your high horse about the Middle East stereotypes, and if you're in the mood for a silly 60s movie, get ready for a few laughs.
lakingsfan7
Saw this turkey on Fox Movie Channel on 6/7/09. Maltin would be correct if he hated this movie.The movie was trying to be a zany comedy. Unfortunately,it did not work.The plot was silly. there was no continuation. Ustinov's Arabian king with a mind of a six year old character was annoying and infantile. What was the point of having a U2 pilot as a character in the movie except to show that he went in the wrong direction( By the way, he is known as 'wrong way Golfarb') the only decent acting was from Shirley Maclaine playing an undercover reporter in the king's harem. Richard Crenna and Wilfrid Hyde-White(as the king's aide),must have regretted taking this role. They did try to do a good job with the material in hand. Harry Morgan was OK, as was Jim Bakus.The football game(on a grass field constructed in the desert), also got to be very annoying and tedious! If people are comparing this film favorably to "It's A Mad,Mad,Mad,Mad World", they would be wrong- The latter film is a piece of art compared to this bomb!
sparker-26
I have seen the movie, many years ago, and enjoyed it. Had a great cast, and it was a group of actors strong enough to overcome any serious script problems. My main interest is in the producer, Steve Parker. He and I share the same name.The first time I went to Japan was in 1979. When I would tell people my name, they would all react as if they'd seen a ghost. I wondered why, until one local finally told me, "Oh, Steve Parker very famous in Japan. He's married to Shirley MacLaine!".Little did I know that was perhaps the reason I was treated rather courteously and deferentially throughout my trip. However, having been to Japan more than 20 times now, either for the automobile business or for visiting the Buddhist shrine Taisekiji at the foot of Mt. Fuji, I find the Japanese people treat most visitors, especially those from western countries, very well.Also, the current generation of Japanese people in the age group of 20 -30 or so are not as familiar with "that" Steve Parker as their parents. So while I sometimes get a nod of recognition from some older Japanese now when I introduce myself, it is nowhere as serious or 'ceremonial' as it was 25 years ago! Read more about car movies, Japan and the worldwide auto industry at www.SteveParker.com (no news there about Shirley MacLaine!).And if anyone can tell me where to find more information about "that" Steve Parker, please email me at sparker@dc.rr.com. It would be greatly appreciated!
lafong-2
When "Wrong Way Goldfarb", former college football player noted for running a touchdown for the other team, becomes an American U2 pilot, he, naturally has problems with his plane during a top secret mission. When he eventually crashes, its not in the U.S.S.R. of course, but the Kingdom of Fawzia (rhymes with "Saudia"). Taken "prisoner" he soon meets Jenny Ericson, undercover Strife magazine newspaperwoman, posing undercover as a Harem-girl in the King's household, to get the "low down" on Harem life for American readers.The antics in the Fawzian household with the King (Ustinov), Goldfarb (Crenna) and Jenny (MacLaine) are a kick providing opportunities for many double entendres and sexual innuendo. Half of the movie, after all, does take place inside a harem! But, the real entertainment is watching the floundering US bureaucrats deal with this delicate situation. The bickering in the state department offices about how to resolve the mess of a U2 pilot crashing inside a foreign country (when the US insists it doesn't own such planes, and if it did, they wouldn't fly over foreign countries)is outrageously funny. At one point, a "pin" is added to the crisis map of the world as part of their tracking method for "hot spots" and... but, I don't want to spoil it for you! Viewed in 2006, the 60's humor is clever and jabs fun unmercifully at ethnicity, religion, looks, race, and patriotic fervor. This is not a movie for those who cannot laugh at themselves, or others. Goldfarb's Jewishness, Jenny's iceberg sexuality, the King's sexual proclivities and toys, Harem humor, national pride - its all there.Crenna mostly plays exasperated, but, delivers with effective physical humor. MacLaine is so energized she sometimes makes you tired to watch her move; but, delivers her lines so snappily you just go with the flow while you watch her. Ustinov is his usual droll self, but, it works. Henry Morgan and Jim Backus add the most depth to the movie with their earnest yearning to do the right thing, but saddled with idiots at home and in the field (Fred Clark and Jerome Cowan). And the Fawzians in spite of still having Harems, are NOT dopes - guards make extremely astute observations on the American ambassadors (lack of )knowledge about Fawzian culture that will crack you up.The script is what holds the movie together. Its clever. Its funny. Its not politically correct. Too bad its so hard to find.
