The Mating Game (1959)

Instigated by a mean spirited neighbor (Philip Ober) with ulterior motives, the Internal Revenue Services sends down an agent (Tony Randall) to investigate a farmer's (Paul Douglas) failure to have never filed a tax return. The unconventional, almost Bohemian, lifestyle of the family causes Randall some frustration which is increased when he finds himself attracted to their eldest daughter (Debbie Reynolds). This folksy comedy is very loosely based on the British novel THE DARLING BUDS OF MAY by H.E. Bates which was done more faithfully in the early 90s for British TV and launched the career of Catherine Zeta Jones in Reynolds role. Directed by George Marshall, it has that forced, wholesome sheen so prevalent in the 1950s. It's calculated innocence aside, it's moderately enjoyable if you're in the right mood. Reynolds' performance is a little bit Tammy, a little bit Molly Brown but Randall is questionable as a romantic leading man. He's a wonderful character actor and third wheel but isn't charismatic enough to leading man status. It's the kind of part that someone like Tom Hanks can sleepwalk through yet Randall stumbles. With Una Merkel, Fred Clark and Charles Lane.