A Touch of Class (film)

A Touch of Class

Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	1973
Founder	Melvin Frank (producer and director)
Products	Romantic comedy film

A Touch of Class is a 1973 British romantic comedy film both produced and directed by Melvin Frank. It features performances by George Segal, Glenda Jackson, Hildegard Neil, Paul Sorvino, and K Callan. The narrative centers on an extramarital relationship between a couple (Segal and Jackson) who gradually develop genuine feelings for each other. The movie received five Academy Awards nominations, including one for Best Picture, with Jackson securing the Best Actress award.

The screenplay, written by Melvin Frank and Jack Rose, was adapted from Frank’s original story titled "She Loves Me, She Told Me So Last Night"—which is also the name of a song briefly performed by Segal and Jackson in the film. This production bears thematic resemblance to Frank’s 1960 movie, The Facts of Life, which similarly explores the complications of a romantic involvement between middle-aged individuals.

Originally, the role of Steve was offered to Cary Grant, with the intention of highlighting the age disparity between the characters; however, Grant declined to come out of retirement. Despite this, he maintained an association with the project through his board membership at Fabergé, the company behind Brut Productions that financed the film. Another candidate, Roger Moore, was considered but chose to star in Live and Let Die, marking his debut as James Bond. Moore nonetheless played a supportive role in the film’s production.

Melvin Frank approached Glenda Jackson following her 1971 appearance on the BBC’s The Morecambe & Wise Show. After winning an Oscar for her performance in this film, Eric Morecambe humorously sent her a telegram stating, "Stick with us and we will get you another one."

Plot

Vickie Allessio, a divorced British mother, encounters Steve Blackburn, a married American, in London. Steve initiates a pursuit, and Vickie consents to a casual affair set in a sunny destination. Steve organizes a trip to Málaga, Spain.

Complications arise when Steve’s wife, Gloria, unexpectedly arrives. To hide the affair, Steve claims Vickie is his mother and cancels his family’s reservations. At the airport, he meets his friend Walter Menkes, a film producer, and conceals Vickie from him during their flight.

Upon arrival in Málaga, Steve gives Walter the last decent rental car while he drives an uncomfortable Italian vehicle himself. Their initial evening together is strained due to disagreements over intimacy; Steve injures his back and must rest. The following day, Vickie refuses an invitation to dinner from an American woman named Patty. Later, after they finally become intimate, Steve feels frustrated by Vickie’s apparent lack of enthusiasm.

During a golf game, tensions escalate as Vickie criticizes Steve’s competitiveness. They decide on separate dinners—Vickie with Patty and Steve with Walter—only to discover that Patty is Walter’s wife, leading to an awkward encounter.

Following an argument, they attempt to return to London but find no available flights. Back at their hotel, playful teasing helps deepen their connection. Observing their growing relationship, Walter warns Steve that holiday romances seldom endure. Nevertheless, Steve and Vickie secretly rent an apartment in London to continue their liaison.

Their affair becomes increasingly strained as Vickie invests emotionally while Steve disappoints her—leaving abruptly after intimacy without acknowledging her efforts or providing explanations. Vickie’s attempts at seeking companionship elsewhere prove unsuccessful. Steve’s guilt prompts gestures such as bringing flowers but fails to foster meaningful dialogue.

Colleagues at work notice changes; Steve forgets appointments with Gloria while attempting to meet Vickie. When Gloria calls and Vickie sees them together at the theater, she feels betrayed and confronts Steve.

Steve sends a telegram ending their relationship but soon regrets it and rushes to Vickie’s apartment. She has already received the message and begins packing. At a bus stop, she ignores Steve’s attempts to reach her and departs in a taxi after confirming that the driver is married.

The film concludes with Vickie moving forward from the failed affair toward a fresh beginning in her life.

Release

The movie had its initial showing in London during May 1973, followed by its Los Angeles debut on June 27, 1973. It generated $4.1 million from North American rentals in 1973, with some sources reporting figures as high as $8.4 million.

Critical response

Roger Ebert awarded the film three stars out of four, describing it as "a sharp-edged, frequently very humorous exploration of a romantic relationship," although he remarked that the ending was somewhat unsatisfactory. Gene Siskel rated it two and a half stars, commending its comedic sequences reminiscent of classic cinematic duels but expressing that the serious finale felt out of sync with the overall tone. Vincent Canby characterized the film as "uneven," blending humor with occasional moments of foolishness. Variety praised George Segal's comedic performance alongside Glenda Jackson's acting abilities. Penelope Gilliatt from The New Yorker observed instances of "reckless humor" but found the combination of traditional and contemporary styles to be inconsistent. Sylvia Millar of The Monthly Film Bulletin regarded the film as a "squandered opportunity for two significant talents," criticizing the script for its reliance on coarse sexual themes.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an 86% approval rating based on 14 critiques, with an average score of 6.8 out of 10.

Awards and honours

Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result
Academy Awards (46th)	Best Picture	Melvin Frank	Nominated
	Best Actress	Glenda Jackson	Won
	Best Original Screenplay	Melvin Frank and Jack Rose	Nominated
	Best Original Dramatic Score	John Cameron	Nominated
	Best Original Song	"All That Love Went to Waste" Music by George Barrie; Lyrics by Sammy Cahn	Nominated
British Academy Film Awards (27th)	Best Actress in a Leading Role	Glenda Jackson	Nominated
	Best Screenplay	Melvin Frank and Jack Rose	Nominated
Evening Standard British Film Awards	Best Actress	Glenda Jackson	Won
Golden Globe Awards (31st)	Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy		Nominated
	Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy	George Segal	Won
	Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy	Glenda Jackson	Won
	Best Screenplay – Motion Picture	Melvin Frank and Jack Rose	Nominated
	Best Original Song – Motion Picture	"All That Love Went to Waste" Music by George Barrie; Lyrics by Sammy Cahn	Nominated
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards	Best Actor	George Segal	Won
New York Film Critics Circle Awards (1973)	Best Actress	Glenda Jackson	Runner-up
San Sebastián International Film Festival	Silver Seashell	Melvin Frank	Won
	Best Actress (Silver Shell)	Glenda Jackson	Won (tied with Françoise Fabian for La bonne année)

Home media

A Touch of Class became available on DVD in North America through Warner Bros. on February 2, 2002. Later, the Warner Archive Collection issued it on Blu-ray on September 10, 2019.

External links

• A Touch of Class at the British Film Institute