Otto Preminger directed The Moon is Blue (1953). Based upon a 1951 play of the same name it is a comedy of manners. This genre gently satirizes social conventions, romantic expectations, and the unspoken rules governing polite society.
This film broke some censorship barriers in Hollywood for its casual use of words like "virgin", "mistress", and "seduction" in discourse. It's relatively tame in comparison to today's movie making standards, but in the 1950's it challenged the boundaries and limits of acceptable film content.
Maggie McNamara plays the role of Patty O'Neill an ingenue...caught between the interest of two aging playboys portrayed by William Holden and David Niven. What's a girl to do? (I'd have a hard time deciding between the two.) Each offers a different appeal leaving Patty (and the audience) wondering what choice she'll make.
Going into watching is film, I was aware that it was controversial, but I found it well written, sharp, and witty. The dialogue is the film's greatest strength. It's quick, playful, full of subtle humor that keeps the viewer engaged and wishing they could have some of the same clever comebacks.
If you enjoy films from Hollywood's Golden Age, I urge you to check this one out.
Fun Film Trivia:
The Moon is Blue (1953) is Maggie McNamara's film debut. She previously played the role of Patty O'Neill on stage in Chicago.
Australian American director Otto Preminger also directed a German version of this film called The Girl on the Roof (1953). The young couple that speaks to Holden and McNamara on the observation deck of The Empire State building also make cameo appearances in the German version.
