More like a `how not to' than a `how to'...
While `A Guide for the Married Man' is on almost all accounts morally reprehensible, it is presented in such a witty and appealing manner that one ultimately forgets just how `wrong' this movie really is.

The film follows Paul Manning, a happily married man who can't help but notice his beautiful surroundings; and by surroundings I mean busts and panty lines. He traps these urges inward and shoves them aside, but then his best friend Edward opens a new line of perspective for him. Edward is a notorious adulterer, constantly having affairs behind his wife's back, and he justifies this by proposing that a man who doesn't entertain these desires (discreetly, mind you) is doing his wife a disservice, for he will eventually snap and ruin his marriage outright. He proceeds, through a series of `true life stories' to explain to Paul just how you can cheat and get away with it.

The script is very clever indeed, and it has its moments of pure hilarity.

My main issue with this film is the acting on the part of the two main characters, Paul and Edward. They just don't seem capable of what they are proposing. Sure, to keep with the idea that these are average men they should have that debonair suaveness about themselves as some of today's more charismatic stars possess (or even the films director Gene Kelly), but Edward is rather obnoxious and Paul is rather bland, so in my opinion the lack of any real charm makes their position even more unbelievable.

Thankfully the film is littered with these `stories' that star some big names and some better performances (Lucille Ball, Joey Bishop, Phil Silvers and Carl Reiner to name a few). Inger Stevens and Jackie Russell do fine jobs as the wives of these two philanderers and Sue Ane Langdon is fetching as Paul's neighbor, and object of affection.

Morally the film is rather corrupt, and there are moments when I found myself baffled at the line of reasoning used by Edward, who is a truly disturbing person (to believe that he is being `considerate' of his wife's feelings by covering his tracks to the tee so that she will never find out about his affairs is rather dense) but the film is meant to be taken as a mocking look into the minds of men. I'm sure every one of us hot-blooded males would love to be able to justify Edward's reasoning, but hopefully we are too mature to ever do so.

Not top drawer - but close.
This movie lacks only one thing - believeability. The acting, especially by Mattheu, is tremendous but the storyline leaves one shaking one's head. I am aware that fantasy and 'stretching the point' is acceptable in films, but somehow, one hopes for better when Mattheu is involved.

It is good enough entertainment, but I feel unable to grant the movie any more than four stars - it would have been three stars, except for Mattheu's performance.

A Guide for the Married Man in the 1960's
Although I found Walter Matthau at his "as always" best in the Guide for the Married Man, the role doesn't do him justice. I gave it five stars as a "period piece" of how we lived in the 1960's, or more specifically, how the sexes were perceived during that time period. Fortunately I think our society has moved onward and upward from the the depiction of both sexes in this film.

To view Walter Matthau at his best, go with the DVD Charley Varrick or Taking of Pelham One Two Three for starters. For a better example of his depth as a comedy actor the The Odd Couple or any film where he co-starred with Jack Lemon would be a wise choice and all of them are available on Amazon.

I purchased this DVD with the biography of Inger Stevens The Farmer's Daughter Remembered: The Biography of Actress Inger Stevens by William T. Patterson. I was disappointed in Ms. Stevens as her role was nothing more or less than a mindless "dumb unsuspecting housewife" with a lot of "T and A" shots thrown in whenever possible. I think Inger Stevens could have brought so much more to her role.

As an item of interest, this film was apparently the last time that Jane Mansfield worked before the cameras before her untimely death in an auto accident in Louisiana.

Begs for a Remake
This is classic comedy. With all the snippits of stories this movie begs for a modern remake. If only the egos of hollywood could get it together and do it. Not a serious tale but a nice poke at the middle age male and the great lust of forbidden fruit! Dated a little...but still...great actors giving a very enjoyable experience.

Stupendous
Excellent transfer from film to DVD.

This is great like I remember it being and shows what riskee was during a more innocent time and as with the TV show "Love American Style" it seems tame by todays standards.

Great acting and an all star cast. Cool but period music score.

I enjoyed the driving scenes due to the now vintage auto's shown.

There is nothing negative that I can say about this movie and it even has, a rare gift for the audience these days, a good moral at the end.

I'm very glad to have this in my collection and advise everyone to purchase it.