Air Force sergeant Joe Fitzpatrick (Glenn Ford) meets and marries wacky knockout model Maggie Putnam (Debbie Reynolds) on the eve of getting shipped out to Spain, so when she cables him that she is coming with a surprise, he assumes she’s pregnant.
Instead, she arrives with a one-of-a-kind car he’s won in a raffle (a 1955 Lincoln Futura Concept car) and now it’s bringing him unwanted attention from the Air Force, who see it as a vulgar display of American wealth.
It is also putting him in the 90% tax bracket and he now faces a tax bill of over $17,000 – not ideal when your wife is the kind of person who spends over $1,000 on one shopping trip.
Meanwhile, smitten toreador Antonio Soriano (Gustavo Rojo) throws his hat into the ring – showing interest in both the car and Maggie – adding to the confusion.
Buoyed by a strong supporting cast while treading the line between frisky and risqué, this mostly innocent pre-sex comedy shows off the film’s Spanish locations and superb production design to fine effect.
And if the car looks familiar, it should – it was later used as the basis for the Batmobile!
Sgt. Joe Fitzpatrick
Glenn Ford Maggie Putnam
Debbie Reynolds Marquesa Marion de la Rey
Eva Gabor Antonio Soriano
Gustavo Rojo Maj. Gen. Tim O’Connell
Fred Clark Congressman Richard Tappe
Edgar Buchanan Charles Meriden
Harry Morgan Congressman Muir
Robert Warwick Mrs Tappe
Frances Bavier Mrs Muir
Netta Packer The Major
Robert Cunningham Sally Meriden
Alice Backes Belvah
Carmen Phillips
Instead, she arrives with a one-of-a-kind car he’s won in a raffle (a 1955 Lincoln Futura Concept car) and now it’s bringing him unwanted attention from the Air Force, who see it as a vulgar display of American wealth.
Sgt. Joe Fitzpatrick
