Review of The Notorious Landlady (1962) by Allan C — 04 Oct 2013

Kim Novak is a pretty versatile actress, but it's these types of romantic comedy roles like this and "Bell Book and Candle," both of which were directed by Richard Quine. The story involves an American junior diplomat, Jack Lemmon, in London renting a house from, and falling in love with, the landlady, Novak, who is suspected of murdering her husband.

Blake Edwards co-wrote the charming screenplay with future MASH TV creator Larry Gelbart, but this film really belongs to Novak, who is gorgeous and absolutely enchaining. Watching this film has reignited by crush on Novak.

And although I I couldn't take my eyes off Novak, that's not to take away from how good Lemmon is in these C.C. Baxter types of roles. To make this movie even better, you've even got Fred Astaire as Lemmon's embassy boss.

There's also a nice score by George Duning, who also scored "Bell Book and Candle.".