The Reluctant Debutante

1958
Approved
1h 34m

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

1.9K

YOUR RATING

A teenage American girl while visiting her father, is thrown into London society during the "Debutante Season".

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Comedy Romance

While visiting her father, an American teenage girl is thrown into London society during its "Debutante Season."While visiting her father, an American teenage girl is thrown into London society during its "Debutante Season."While visiting her father, an American teenage girl is thrown into London society during its "Debutante Season."

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

1.9K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 nominations

Dancer
(uncredited)

Roger LaVern

Soldier on Guard
(uncredited)

Ambrosine Phillpotts

Miss Grey
(uncredited)

Sheila Raynor

Broadbents' Maid
(uncredited)

Michel Thomas

Quaglino Diner
(uncredited)

Pierre Vaudier

Quaglino Diner
(uncredited)

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
For years, John Saxon said he had been bothered by something about Sandra Dee during filming that he just couldn't put his finger on. Decades later, he figured out what it was: Dee's mother had lied about her age to get her more adult roles. She was only 16 years old at the time of filming.

Goofs
The date for Jane's ball is shown onscreen as being scheduled for a Monday. However in a scene set on a day that is stated to be the day before Jane's ball, Jimmy gets dressed to go to work. Jimmy is a banker. The day before the ball would have been a Sunday, when his bank would have been closed. Another clue that the filmmaker forgot which day the ball was on is that Jimmy complains he hasn't slept since Sunday.

Quotes
Sheila Broadbent: No, darling, it's Jane. She's no good with men. She doesn't know any, and she doesn't want to know any.
Jimmy Broadbent: Well, she's a wise girl.
Sheila Broadbent: Oh, darling, it isn't funny. Now, you've got to talk to her.
Jimmy Broadbent: Talk to her? Why should I?
Sheila Broadbent: Well, because you're a man, and you can tell her what the young men want.
Jimmy Broadbent: [leering undertone] My dear!
Sheila Broadbent: Oh, don't be silly, darling, of course you can. I'm sure they don't change that much.
Jimmy Broadbent: No, you bet they don't.

Connections
Referenced in Madame's Place: Naked All-Star Bowling Competition (1982)

Soundtracks
Main Title
(uncredited)
from Designing Woman (1957)
Music by André Previn

User reviews37

Review

Featured review

8/10

A thoroughly delightful romp which will keep you coming back for more

I love this film... So does my wife, we love it together. love love love. Rex Harison is very dry, with always brilliant delivery a little Henry Higgins'esquire on occasion but funnier in my opinion this time round. Kay Kendall's Sheila is astonishing and full of wonder for her snobbery, competitive instincts and neurosis. She makes me hoot.

The foolish David Fenner is infuriatingly silly yet gold to watch.

The music captures the feel of the 50's beautifully, with an almost Cliff Richard like quality... Actually my wife is disputing that comment, it's much more American than Cliff in her opinion. It's jazzy. jazz jazz jazz. Big band. It makes me want to dance every time I see it. One of my favourite quotes from Sheila whilst dancing... "mmmmm, this song drives me out of my mind"

You can watch this film over and over, we have been for the last 15 years and it doesn't get old at all. Watch it with different friends and they will love you for it. That's what we do. love love love.