The Tender Trap

1955

The Tender Trap

Critics Consensus

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67%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 6

56%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 497

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Movie Info

Max Shulman and Robert Paul Smith's Broadway hit The Tender Trap is transformed into a beguiling Frank Sinatra film vehicle. Sinatra plays a Manhattan showbiz agent, Charlie Y. Reader, who enjoys the attentions of several willing young ladies. At an audition, Charlie meets aspiring actress Julie Gillis (Debbie Reynolds), who is so determined to land a husband that she's already set the date. She goes out with Charlie for a short while, then announces that she won't marry him until he gives up all his other girls. Charlie, who hasn't said word one about marriage and who'd been preparing to give Julie the brush-off, is startled by her ultimatum -- so much so that he genuinely falls in love with her, which (we can safely assume) was her intention all along. A complication involving Charlie's former amour Sylvia Crewes (Celeste Holm) and his best friend Joe McCall (David Wayne) paves the way for the film's slightly offbeat denouement. In addition to scoring at the box office, The Tender Trap yielded a hit song (written by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen), which would remain a part of Frank Sinatra's repertoire for the rest of his life. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Cast

Debbie Reynolds
as Julie Gillis
Frank Sinatra
as Charlie Y. Reader
David Wayne
as Joe McCall
Celeste Holm
as Sylvia Crewes
Jarma Lewis
as Jessica Collins
Lola Albright
as Poppy Matson
Carolyn Jones
as Helen
Howard St. John
as Sam Sayers
Joey Faye
as Sol Z. Steiner
Tom Helmore
as Mr. Loughran
Willard Sage
as Director
Marc Wilder
as Ballet Actor
Jack Boyle
as Audition Dancer
James Drury
as Eddie
Benny Rubin
as Mr. Wilson
Reginald Simpson
as Stage Manager
Gil Harman
as TV Announcer
Madge Blake
as Society Reporter
Wilson Wood
as Elevator Boy
Frank Sully
as Doorman
Gordon Richards
as Doorman
Lennie Bremen
as Cab Driver
Dave White
as Cab Driver
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Critic Reviews for The Tender Trap

All Critics (6)

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Audience Reviews for The Tender Trap

  • May 24, 2015
    So incredibly terrible, and Debbie Reynolds knew it. Julie, her naïve husband-chaser of a character, was and perhaps is a reality and a trope, but does she have to be so devoid of personality otherwise? What is love, and why does Charlie even fall in love with her? There's no charm to their dated courtship at all, and it's a waste of Debbie's singing and dancing talents. The bouquet passing bit at the end is cute, and the movie makes interesting enough insights into Martian and Venusian conflicts with Charlie's reforming rover, Joe's disillusioned family man, and Sylvia's career dame with a ticking marriage clock (played by the serene Celeste Holm), but the injection of a petty, needy, indecisive stereotype just sets gender politics back fifty years...not to mention screenwriting.
    Alice S Super Reviewer
  • Sep 18, 2008
    Pleasant but unspectacular comedy, Celeste Holm and David Wayne are wonderful and Sinatra is fine but Debbie's character is annoying and someone who anyone with any sense would run away from quickly.
    jay n Super Reviewer
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