The Pleasure Seekers (1964 film)

The Pleasure Seekers
The Pleasure Seekers
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Jean Negulesco
Screenplay by	Edith Sommer
Based on	Coins in the Fountain; by John H. Secondari
Produced by	David Weisbart
Starring	Ann-Margret; Tony Franciosa; Carol Lynley; Gardner McKay; Pamela Tiffin;
Cinematography	Daniel L. Fapp
Edited by	Louis R. Loeffler
Music by	Lionel Newman
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release date	December 25, 1964;
Running time	107 minutes
Country	United States
Languages	English; Spanish;
Budget	$2.1 million
Box office	$2 million

The Pleasure Seekers is a 1964 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Jean Negulesco from a screenplay by Edith Sommer, based on the 1952 novel Coins in the Fountain by John H. Secondari. The film stars Ann-Margret, Tony Franciosa, Carol Lynley, Gardner McKay, and Pamela Tiffin, with Gene Tierney (in her final film) and Brian Keith. Ann-Margret sings four songs composed by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen.

The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Scoring of Music – Adaptation or Treatment for Lionel Newman and Alexander Courage.

Plot

Susie Higgins arrives in Madrid and moves in with her friend Maggie Williams and Maggie's roommate Fran Hobson. Still a virgin, Susie is surprised to find both of the other girls have active dating lives. Secretary Maggie has recently ended an affair and is now seeing her married boss Paul Barton, much to the dismay of Paul's jealous wife Jane. At the same time, Maggie's co-worker Pete McCoy is in love with Maggie, who barely notices him. Fran, an aspiring actress, flamenco dancer and singer, eagerly pursues Spanish doctor Andres Brioñes. While at the Museo del Prado, Susie catches the eye of wealthy playboy Emilio Lacayo, who adds her to his already large group of girlfriends.

The three girls spend the summer attending various parties while pursuing and being pursued by the men in their lives. In the end, Maggie chooses McCoy over Barton, Dr. Brioñes settles down with Fran, and Lacayo with Susie. All of them decide to stay in Madrid.

Cast

Ann-Margret as Fran Hobson
Carol Lynley as Maggie Williams
Pamela Tiffin as Susie Higgins
Tony Franciosa as Emilio Lacayo
Gardner McKay as Pete McCoy
André Lawrence as Dr. Andres Briones
Brian Keith as Paul Barton
Gene Tierney as Jane Barton
Vito Scotti as neighbor man
Isobel Elsom as Dona Teresa Lacayo
Maurice Marsac as Jose
Shelby Grant as Marian
Raoul De Leon as Martinez
Antonio Gades as Flamenco dancer
Emilio Diego as guitarist

Production

The film was announced in February 1964. The original stars to be in it were Ann-Margret, Carol Lynley, James Darren and George Chakiris.^[3] By April, Darren and Chakiris had dropped out, replaced by Gardner MacKay, with Pamela Tiffin as the third girl. Negulsesco said the film would be different from the earlier one. "Instead of Rome, this picture is set in Madrid. Instead of three girls and three men, I'm using four. Naturally, the problems of American girls living in Madrid are similar to those in Three Coins, but this is 1964, so we'll have more difficulties."^[4]

Ann-Margret was paid $2,000 a week over ten weeks. This was less than she received for other studios, but she had an old commitment to Fox.^[5]

Filming started in May which stage Brian Keith had joined the cast.^[6] Several scenes were shot in the Prado Museum in Madrid.^[7]

Reception

According to Fox records, the film needed to earn $3,900,000 in film rentals to break even and made $3,205,000 by December 11, 1970 (equivalent to $19.4 million in 2023)^[8], meaning it lost money.^[9]

Filmink argued, "The film is fun but hampered by the fact Ann-Margret’s the only lead actor who can sing and dance, and it’s, well, a musical."^[10]

References

^ Aubrey Solomon, Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History, Scarecrow Press, 1989 p254
^ Anticipated rentals accruing distributors in North America. See "Top Grossers of 1965", Variety, 5 January 1966 p 36
^ Stars Celebrate Benny's Birthday: 90 Notables Attend Party; Loren, Peppard a New Team Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times 19 Feb 1964: D10.
^ Looking at Hollywood: MacArthur Story to Be Made Into Movie Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Tribune. 11 Apr 1964: 16.
^ Meet Ann-Margret: Hard Work, Ambition Propel a Young Actress To the Top in Hollywood By DAVID H. KELSEY Wall Street Journal 7 Apr 1964: 1.
^ Looking at Hollywood: Brigitte Wanted for Jimmy Stewart Film Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Tribune 7 May 1964: e6.
^ Art Treasures Used in Picture Shot in Spain Los Angeles Times 18 Jan 1965: C15.
^ Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved November 30, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
^ Silverman, Stephen M (1988). "Appendix I". The Fox that got away: the last days of the Zanuck dynasty at Twentieth Century-Fox. Secaucus, New Jersey, United States: Lyle Stuart. p. 324. ISBN 9780818404856.
^ Vagg, Stephen (September 6, 2021). "Surviving Cold Streaks: Ann-Margret". Filmink. Retrieved March 9, 2023.