"Once You Kiss a Stranger" (1969) - Old Wine, New Bottle
“Once You Kiss a Stranger” (1969) – Old Wine, New Bottle. Sometimes you sit down to watch a movie without any expectations. And within moments you find yourself appreciating it despite realizing it’s not in the league of movies you would ordinarily watch if given the choice. I guess the phrase here would be “guilty pleasure.” But somehow this movie is likeable despite being as such.
Thapson
Publicity Poster / IMDB.com
Once You Kiss a Stranger (1969)
There are many reasons why I liked this movie. And if you’re like me, I’m sure you’ll like this too. And those, in no particular order, are:
- Hitchcock movies
- Strangers on A Train* (SOAT)
- Carol Lynley
- Old movies from the 60s with cool cars that don’t feel too aged and provide an interesting insight into the prevalent culture and technology from that period
I liked “Once You Kiss a Stranger*” because it has all these. Since Hitchcock’s thrilling “Strangers on a Train” in 1951, there have been at least two remakes. One was “Throw Momma from the Train” and other “Once You Kiss a Stranger”. I was completely unaware of this movie, made in 1969, and watched it on a whim when it was aired on TV a while back.
“The late 60s feel is very apparent in the culture, fashions, background score, cars, and technology in use.”
Curtis Hayden / YouTube.com
It’s all Carol Lynley
Within minutes into the movie, I realized how it relates to SOAT*. Just like in that movie, we have a disturbed individual who plans a tit for tat murder. The big difference in this movie is that this person is a woman. This is where it got really fun for me. This psychotic person, Diana, is played by Carol Lynley who does a stellar job and is fun to watch every time she makes an appearance. In fact, it’s her performance that makes this whole movie worth watching. Everyone else merely comes off as extras to the story. This despite the fact that they’re big names in their own right. While SOAT too was dominated by Robert Walker’s oddities, this one’s with Carol Lynley’s. The major difference being she’s easier on the eyes. Despite her negative character, one can’t help liking her. It’s only when she demonstrates her darker side as the movie progresses does one reluctantly dislike her.
Synopsis – without giving anything away
Instead of tennis, here we have golfers and there’s an element of a sexual encounter involved. Then there’s the murder. I am not going to divulge the details for those who haven’t seen SOAT. And for those who have seen SOAT, you’ll appreciate this anyway because you’ll catch on to the plot soon enough. While not on the same level of classic as the Hitchcock movie, this one’s enjoyable enough to appreciate one of the best performances Carol Lynley may have done. Although I admit I’ve not seen many of her movies.
Period-Piece Culture and Technology
Other aspects which make this movie worth watching are the period piece trivia for classic movie buffs. The late 60s feel is very apparent in the culture, fashions, background score, cars, and technology in use. The cars, apparently furnished by Ford and Mercury, are a delight in some scenes. There is the use of a Polaroid Instant camera. A video tape recorder, which was a surprise, is central to the plot. Although, the way it’s used is less than convincing – that being one of the important drawbacks of the movie for me. The supposedly night scene on the golf course is also too bright to convince me.
Major Cast
Images: IMDB.com
If you can tolerate some of these goofs, then the movie is for you to enjoy my friends. For those familiar with the plot, the movie takes the near predictable turns, but enjoyable to follow all the same. Carol’s acting, and some other scenes, despite their seriousness, brought out some chuckles from me. Other interesting takes in the movie are Philip Carey as a golf champ. I was a fan from when he played the Captain on “Laredo” (TV show). Then there is George Fenneman who’s been an announcer in real life in his career. He comes off so realistic, you forget you’re watching a movie and not a golf tournament.
My Take
In any case, if you are a serious movie watcher who prefers one that checks off all the intellectual boxes, this one may not be for you. But if you want to enjoy a light remake with good outdoor photography, period-piece culture, and tolerate some faults, you will definitely like it. Like I said, I have likely seen Carol Lynley in other movies, but this one definitely made me a fan of hers on some level. I guarantee if you’re like me, you will too.
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