Who Was That Lady? (1960)

A chemistry professor (Tony Curtis) is caught by his wife (Janet Leigh) kissing a student (Barbara Hines). When she makes plans to fly to Reno for a divorce, his best friend (Dean Martin) comes up with a wacky plan to save the marriage. Namely, pretend he is an undercover FBI agent and the student is a suspected spy. The wife swallows this but that little lie grows into a big lie until both the FBI and CIA get involved. Based on the Broadway play by Norman Krasna (who also wrote the screenplay) and directed by George Sidney (BYE BYE BIRDIE). For the most part, this is rather tedious and formulaic sitcom material. Fortunately, Curtis and Martin are adept at handling comedy but poor Janet Leigh is saddled with playing a ninny and try as she might, she can't save herself. The film does have one genuinely funny scene set in a Chinese restaurant where Curtis and Martin take two "dumb" sisters (Barbara Nichols, Joi Lansing) that coughs up a few laughs. If only the rest of the picture were on that level, it might have stood a chance. Andre Previn did the overly bubbly underscore. With Jack Benny, James Whitmore, John McIntire, Simon Oakland, Larry Storch and Larry Keating.