Strange Bedfellows is a 1965 American romantic comedy film directed by Melvin Frank and starring Rock Hudson, Gina Lollobrigida, Gig Young, and Terry-Thomas. It was released by Universal Studios.
Plot
Carter, a wealthy American (Hudson) and Toni, a bohemian Italian woman (Lollobrigida) meet in London, and impulsively marry. Then finding they have virtually nothing in common, they separate. Seven years later, just days before they are to take steps to move forward on their divorce, they meet again and begin to rekindle the romance. More turmoil ensues as Carter tries to establish a 'respectable family life' in order to ensure a promotion, and Toni continues involving herself in public protests.
Cast
Rock Hudson as Carter Harrison
Gina Lollobrigida as Toni Vincente
Gig Young as Richard Bramwell
Edward Judd as Harry Jones
Terry-Thomas as Assistant Mortician
Arthur Haynes as Carter's Taxi Driver
Howard St. John as J. L. Stevens
Nancy Kulp as Aggressive Woman
David King as Toni's Taxi Driver
Peggy Rea as Mavis Masters
Joseph Sirola as Petracini
Lucy Landau as Jolly Woman
Bernard Fox as Policeman
James McCallion as Old Man
Edith Atwater as Mrs. Stevens
Hedley Mattingly as Bagshot
John Orchard as Radio Dispatcher
Henry Corden as Sheik's Interpreter (uncredited) Maurice Dallimore as Gentleman in Rain (uncredited) Noel Drayton as Cab Driver (uncredited) Jack Good as Binky Waring (uncredited) Simon Scott as Jim Slade, Divorce Lawyer (uncredited)
Release
The film earned rentals in North America of $2,750,000. Strange Bedfellows was available on DVD on July 1, 2003.
Novelization
Slightly in advance of the film's release, as was the custom of the era, a paperback novelization of the screenplay was published by Pyramid Books. The author was renowned crime and western novelist Marvin H. Albert, who also made something of a cottage industry out of movie tie-ins. He seems to have been the most prolific screenplay novelizer of the late '50s through mid '60s, and, during that time, the preeminent specialist at light comedy.