A changed man (Magnificent Obsession)

Douglas Sirk's romantic feature, Magnificent Obsession, is a poignant take on love and redemption. Unconventionally handled, this 1954 might not appear to have a deep-seated effect on you at first. But it grows on you with every watch. When at first glance you might feel that a man of Bob Merick's stature can get away with the haughtiness he carries, his drastic change of personality is definitely credible towards the end. A life-changing incident later, here is this rich man who learns the real meaning of love and forgiveness, of giving and sharing and of ultimate duty towards humanity. Yes, Magnificent Obsession is a delicate treatise on human relationships and how the good can triumph over evil.

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Sealing the deal (Lover Come Back)

The world of advertising can be a fiercely competitive one. It was so fifty years ago, and it continues to be even that today. And like always, and in every field, there are those who pocket the pie honestly, through hard work and diligence. But most often than not, as Delbert Mann shows in Lover Come Back, the 'drones' win them all through manipulation, back-scratching and underhand means. Sometimes their ways and antics ensure they come up trumps and land up with all the accounts, thus leaving the 'workers' gasp and mull over what went wrong with their straight strategy. Well, if you are competing against the veteran Jerry Webster, you might as well twiddle your thumb and keep mulling over. This ad executive is too fast for anybody. Lies, depravity or deceit, this man knows how to pacify clients like it's nobody's business. And Carol Templeton will soon realise that she is indeed dealing with a tough, albeit contorted, nut.

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The tree is toppled (Pillow Talk)

There is something incredibly charming about a playboy being cornered. I adore the process of his falling head over heels in love with the woman who obviously sets him straight and mends his gallivanting ways. But when you have the enterprising and glamorous Doris Day carry the baton of straightening the marvellous looking Rock Hudson, you know you are in for a gargantuan treat. This is sheer battle of the sexes, where the man temporarily triumphs in getting into the good books of the woman. But ultimately, the woman wins the power game when the man realises that all this skirt-chasing needs to be put to an end because this is the woman for him. Witty combats and funny interludes culminate in a happy and fulfilling end. That's the beauty of Pillow Talk, Michael Gordon's 1959 romantic comedy maximizing on the onscreen chemistry between Day and Hudson.

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Rock solid entertainment (Come September)

Liza Fellini says, "They are four boys and six girls. Together they add up to ten. And, there's safety in numbers." Perturbed beyond words, Robert Talbot retorts, "There is much to it than mathematics. Those boys are very capable of dividing and multiplying!" And, the fun starts...
Robert Mulligan's romantic comedy, Come September, pits Rock Hudson against Bobby Darin (the singer makes his debut here). And, we have an uproarious battle of wits and fun schemes.

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