wes-connors After an impressive opening credit sequence, irresponsible Chicago businessman Dean Martin (as Julian Berniers) returns to his devalued New Orleans home with pretty young bride Yvette Mimieux (as Lily Prine). With funds acquired from a dubious land deal, Mr. Martin showers his two spinster sisters with gifts. Apparently, Martin's ship has come in, financially. The elder ladies are happy, but you should be suspicious. Hidden passions surface and a dark family secret is exposed... Walter Mirisch's lackluster film production of Lillian Hellman's steamy southern play suffers through a miscast leading man and decidedly un-southern pace. With possible good intentions, Ms. Mimieux wanders around vacuously. In a small, but showcased role, motherly Gene Tierney (as Albertine Prine) seems startled by Martin. However, it is good to watch scheming Geraldine Page (as Carrie) and subdued Wendy Hiller (as Anna) milk their roles so skillfully, and the setting is alluring.***** Toys in the Attic (1963-07-31) George Roy Hill ~ Dean Martin, Geraldine Page, Wendy Hiller, Yvette Mimieux

MartinHafer Lillian Hellman wrote some amazingly raw films about screwed up Southern families. She was, in many ways, like a female version of Tennessee Williams--with stories having many of the same themes and even some of the stories set in the same locales--such as Louisiana. Several of her plays went on to become movie classics--the most famous of which was Bette Davis' splendid "Little Foxes". Others, such as "Toys in the Attic" didn't exactly become classics--but they are worth seeing. My advice with this movie, however, is that you force yourself to keep watching. The first portion isn't particularly distinguished and the craziness all begins later in the movie.The story begins with Julian (Dean Martin) working on some business deal. When he and his wife, Lily (Yvette Mimieux) arrive back to see their families in Louisiana, things sound great. Julian has announced that one of his deals went through and he is now rich. He lavishes gifts on his two spinster sisters (Geraldine Page and Wendy Hiller). During this phase of the film, Page's character is REALLY, REALLY annoying. She talks non-stop and the tone of her voice could incite murder!! My advice is to grit your teeth and stick with it--all sorts of nasty craziness is to follow! What? Well, see the film for yourself.The film is NOT perfect--and it's obvious when you see an Italian-American (Martin) playing the brother. The casting just didn't make much sense, though his acting was just fine in the film. As I mentioned above, Page's acting also seemed to be a bit too much at times. But, the story is golden if you keep watching. Don't believe me--see it for yourself! It gets pretty icky!

bkoganbing As is pointed out in the acclaimed biography of Dean Martin by Nick Tosches, Toys In The Attic was the last serious role that Dino attempted on the big screen. His less than stellar reviews in comparison to Jason Robards, Jr. who did it on the stage probably convinced Martin to stick with what he knew best.I don't think Dean was all that bad in the part, the problem was he did not have that much to work with. When you think about it the roles he played in Some Came Running and Ada could have been dress rehearsals for Julian Berniers in Toys In The Attic. I just don't think the play itself is up to the standards Lillian Hellman set for herself in The Little Foxes.In fact the subject matter seems to be more Tennessee Williams than Lillian Hellman. Martin is the younger ne'er do well brother of spinsters Geraldine Page and Wendy Hiller. Page is kind of Blanche Dubois flighty type on the surface, but she really rules the Berniers roost. And she's got a nice incestuous thing for her brother.Who is now married to Yvette Mimieux, a young, but even mentally younger child like bride. Dino's got a deal cooking with the wife of a big tycoon played by Larry Gates. Years ago he had a fling with his wife Nan Martin, but now they're just seeking to take the big guy for a big score.On stage the Gates and Martin parts are not played, but talked about. When Lillian Hellman's play was on stage the sisters were played by Maureen Stapleton and Anne Revere. Revere in the part Hiller does won a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress. The play ran 463 performances in the 1960-1961 season.I think if the part Dino had was played by Paul Newman or Montgomery Clift, the film might have been marginally better. But even more so Lillian Hellman was poaching on Tennessee Williams subject matter and she should have kept off the grass.

David (Handlinghandel) When Lillian Hellman wrote this play, I doubt she had Dean Martin in mind for the male lead when it hit the screen. In truth, he isn't bad. He may have been cast to provide some box office. If he did, that's good. He contributes nothing else, however.Similarly, the beautiful Yvette Mimieux is wildly miscast as his insecure wife.Thankfully, much of the other actors are at home in this film and this sort of film. They give good performances.Geraldine Page is in fine form as one of Martin's two spinster sisters. It isn't a subtle performance but it works very well. Wendy Hiller, as the other sister, does give a subtle performance. She is not authentically Southern; but for a good actor that makes no difference. (Think, for starters, Vivian Leigh in "GWTW.") Gene Tierney is also on-hand. Though she'd had a troubled life, she'd matured well. She was never a great actress but she had screen presence and she is right for her part here.I was familiar with the play and wondered if the movie would include its most controversial aspect. (Can't give it away.) To my surprise, it does; and it's very effective.Please note: I have nothing against Dean Martin. He is fun in "Kiss Me Stupid." But he was essentially a singer and comic performer. This movie contains no songs and is anything but comic. Had his and Mimieux's parts been cast more according to the script, the movie could indeed have been extremely, rather than occasionally, powerful.