Get the MovieNight app
Add it to your home screen — faster & full screen
Get the MovieNight app
Add it to your home screen — faster & full screen
Columbia Pictures
Not part of a collection.
"I LOVE YOU BABY, BUT MY WIFE JUST REFUSES TO UNDERSTAND!"
A suburban architect loves his wife but is bored with his marriage and with his work, so he takes up with the neglected, married beauty who lives down the street.
CinemaSerf
Jun 2, 2023 · via TMDB
When successful architect "Larry" (Kirk Douglas) meets bored "Maggie" (Kim Novak) at the school bus stop after dropping off their respective children, you can just tell that things are going to start smouldering! He's married to "Eve" (Barbara Rush) and she to prominent writer "Roger" (Ernie Kovacks) and it's the latter man who has employed the former to design and build a new hilltop home for his family. So far, it's all just a routine family melodrama that, for my money anyway, Douglas brings very little to. Luckily for us, though, we also have the presence of the rather odious neighbour "Felix" (Walter Matthau) who says very little but sees everything. Of course, the grass is always greener and the cheating couple gradually realise that though there is certainly gratification to be had, happiness is a completely different thing. Their secret, shallow, lives have brought them a sort of love, but it's hollow and unsustainable and the innocent amongst them start to pay the price for their infidelities. There is a degree of chemistry between Douglas and Novak, Ernie Novaks is also quite effective but it's really down to Matthau who features sparingly, but very potently, with even an hint of menace towards the end. It ends with more of a whimper than a bang, which I felt was a bit underwhelming after two hours of a rather stringy score and lots of coastal cinematography. I might have enjoyed this more had Douglas been replaced by a stronger, more characterful actor- but as it is, it's still quite an interesting take on the ramifications of the so called "easy win".
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
Amazon Video
Rakuten Viki
Amazon Video
Kirk Douglas
Larry Coe
Kim Novak
Margaret 'Maggie' Gault
Barbara Rush
Eve Coe
Ernie Kovacs
Roger Altar
Walter Matthau
Felix Anders
Virginia Bruce
Mrs. Wagner
John Bryant
Ken Gault
Kent Smith
Stanley Baxter
Helen Gallagher
Betty Anders
Roberta Shore
Lindy, the Babysitter
Nancy Kovack
Marcia
Sue Ane Langdon
Daphne
Paul Picerni
Arthur Gerandi
Sheryl Deauville
Hat Check Girl
Judy Lang
—
Bart Patton
Hank (uncredited)
Charles Lang
Director of Photography
Jean Louis
Costume Design
Richard Quine
Director
Kirk Douglas
Executive Producer
Richard Quine
Producer
George Duning
Original Music Composer
Evan Hunter
Novel
Evan Hunter
Screenplay
Tokyo Story
The Only Woman
Prologue
This Is Your Song
Three Colors: Red
Freaks
To Be or Not to Be
The Celebration
Brief Encounter
Jules and Jim
Walk the Line
Marty
Match Point
The Long Goodbye
Hobson's Choice
The Marriage of Maria Braun
Like Water for Chocolate
Greed
The Painted Veil
Funny Girl
A History of Violence
Out of Africa
Notes on a Scandal
Bed and Board
The Daughter Pays
Away from Her
The War of the Roses
Colette
Pardon Mon Affaire
Cat People
May Fools
Closer
Dream Lover
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Bride Flight
Clash by Night
Unfaithful
Marie Antoinette
Belle Époque
Mississippi Mermaid
Ahlan Singapore
Reflections in a Golden Eye
Auto Focus
The 24th Day
To Paint or Make Love
Undercurrent
Maybe... Maybe Not
The Square
American Gigolo
Rita, Sue and Bob Too
Terribly Happy
Pennies from Heaven
Crime of Passion
Loverboy
The Door in the Floor
What Doesn't Kill You
The Other Side of the Bed
Pavoncello
Heartburn
Romance & Cigarettes
Prague
The Legend of Paul and Paula
Their Eyes Were Watching God
We Don't Live Here Anymore
Kafir: The Spirit Gate
About Adam
The Women
The Exes
Body of Evidence
Pride and Prejudice
3 Playboy Galau
My Sister is a Tomboy
The Room
North Beach
Betrayed Women
Loop Count
Starling
Wet Things
The Seasons
Trio
Fidelity
Couscous
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
All My Life
Lucky Star
The Age of Adaline
The Magnificent Ambersons
The Secret: Dare to Dream
The Magic of Ordinary Days
Persuasion
An Autumn Romance
The Postman Always Rings Twice
Far from Heaven
Autumn Leaves
Possessed
Peter Ibbetson
Flamingo Road
The Fugitive Kind
The Lost Husband
In from the Side
Lovely, Still
Dangerous
Blood and Sand
Reflections in a Golden Eye
Holiday Date
Departure
The Locket
Tim
The Delinquent Season
Last Night
The Face of Love
The Wedding March
The Golden Bowl
To the Wonder
Jun 29, 1960
© 2025-2026 MovieNight. All rights reserved.
Versus
Sign in to play →
Pizza Friday
Carícia Fatal
2007
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
What movie experience do you prefer?
What is your favorite movie genre?
Versus
Sign in to play →
Pizza Friday
Carícia Fatal
2007
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
What movie experience do you prefer?
What is your favorite movie genre?
We use essential cookies to run MovieNight, plus analytics (Google Analytics) and advertising (Google AdSense) cookies. By continuing to browse, you agree to this — or click No and we won't. See our Terms & Privacy Policy to learn more.