Come Blow Your Horn (1963)

Review by All Movie Guide
Although Come Blow Your Horn could never have been a great movie -- the Neil Simon play that serves as its basis is simply too lightweight for that -- but it could have at least been a snappier, peppier one. Not that it's not mildly enjoyable; it has a number of solid one-liners in the traditional Simon mode, there's some swinging Nelson Riddle arrangements and some delightful oh-so-period bachelor-pad touches, and Frank Sinatra's around for the star part of a swinging bachelor who really needs to stop swinging. But the film lacks sparkle; worse, it adds a touch of smarminess to the proceedings. That smarminess is there in the original material, but it's kept underneath the surface. Screenwriter Norman Lear and director Bud Yorkin let it peep out too often. Sinatra is also a problem -- his performance is appropriately effortless, but a tad lifeless. And the role doesn't really call for a star; having one in the part throws things off balance. Still, Come Blow Your Horn is funny enough, and it does boast an excellent scene-stealing performance from Lee J. Cobb, delightful support from Molly Picon and Jill St. John, and an appealing (if a little too lightweight) contribution from Tony Bill. It all adds up to a minor but decently enjoyable comedy. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide