JohnHowardReid Copyright 1956 by Loew's Inc. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture. New York opening at Loew's State: 3 April 1957. U.S. release: 29 March 1957. U.K. release: 13 May 1957. Australian release: 11 May 1957. Sydney opening at the St James. 10,269 feet. 114 minutes.SYNOPSIS: An American hotel magnate journeys to Rome to survey his new purchase.NOTES: Dean Martin's first film without his former partner, Jerry Lewis.COMMENT: A harmless, blandly innocuous little musical batted out by M-G-M's quickie director, Dick "Print It" Thorpe. The title may mean one thing to the innocent man-in-the-street. To the seasoned movie- goer, however, it signifies nothing more spicy than that Dean Martin owns a chain of luxury hotels. He's not a modern-day Casanova at all.Still, the film was lensed in Rome, and we do see all the sights in CinemaScope. Even a reprise of "Three Coins in the Fountain". For all that location filming, production values are very moderate. Lots of process screen work, for instance.Some of the songs are medium bright, but the staging is strictly minor. The best is Munshin's one number, "Money Is a Problem", which he shares with Dino virtually right at the end.Anna Maria looks absolutely smashing, but for all the efforts of the players, "Ten Thousand Bedrooms" tends to outstay its welcome. Trimming would definitely help. Lisa Gaye's songs — "We're Gonna Rock Around the Clock" by Max C. Freedman and Jimmy De Knight; and "No-One But You" by Jack Lawrence and Nicholas Brodszky — could go for a start. (And go they did. Reports suggest they're missing from the current TV print — not that anyone would be masochistic enough to watch this movie on TV — though they were definitely heard in the 117 first-release minutes). Martin and Alberghetti's "You I Love" and "Only Trust Your Heart" are strictly for rabid fans.I wasn't completely sold on Robert Bronner's lighting either. I thought it just a little too dark. Doubtless the lab has corrected present prints.Although it out-rated many far bigger theatrical hits when initially presented on American television — oddly it rated even more on its second network showing than on its first — "Ten Thousand Bedrooms" promises much but actually delivers precious little.

Bob-45 Poor Dino. First time out solo, he slipped a preposterous script, tuneless songs and a supporting cast with far more talent that notariety. Who's going to believe a worldly 30-something millionaire would fall for an immature little nobody their first night together? Had they mad Dean Martin the pilot and Dewey Martin the copilot, and made the story a case of mistaken identity (with a walk-on Cary Grant or Gregory Peck as the "real" Ray Hunter), the producers of "Ten Thousand Bedrooms" might have made something out of this bit of froth. Dino got the blame, but the real fault lies with the script, complete lack of fresh, memorable music (Dean sings the SAME love song to two different women) and listless direction from hack director Richard ("Closeup? What's a closeup?") Thorpe. Dean and Walter Slezak are really about the only entertaining elements of the movie, besides beautiful Italian scenery.I give "Ten Thousand Bedrooms" a "5".

willrams I had never seen Ten Thousand Bedrooms before. What a weird title? But still I enjoyed this one and what a cast! There were a few I couldn't name at first, but these names finally came to me; they were Jules Munshin who appeared in Kelly, Sinatra films namely On The Town; and Paul Henried, who played Anton the sculptor. The singing of four sisters including Anna Marie Albergetie and Dean Martin sing a couple of beautiful songs, and Dean and Jules sing a funny song about The Problem of Money. The actor who steals the show is indubitably Walter Slezak; a fine character actor. He is the confused father of four daughters who are asked to be married, but it takes a long time for the confusion to be resolved. It is not a very fast well paced movie but it is enjoyable. It was Dean Martin's first movie after his breakup with Jerry Lewis in 1957.

lzf0 This is Dean Martin's first film following his split with partner Jerry Lewis. MGM signed him for this romantic comedy. However, there is nothing funny here. Dean Martin was one of the funniest comedians of the 20th Century. His persona was that of a drunk, sex crazed ne'er-do-well who could not get through a song without either slipping up or telling a joke. Even when he was the low-keyed partner of manic Jerry Lewis, there was something silly about him. He can tell the oldest and cheapest jokes and charm the audience into laughing with him. None of this is seen in this film. This is just another example of how MGM had no idea what to do with comedians. Buster Keaton, the Marx Brothers, Red Skelton, Lucille Ball, Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, and Donald O'Connor were also poorly handled by MGM. Martin is in good company there! Dino plays the straight role of an airline pilot who romances Anna Maria Alberghetti and sings some very poor songs by Nicholas Brodzsky. If Dean's role would have been played by someone like Howard Keel or Vic Damone, maybe I would not be complaining so much about the lack of comedy. But even reliable character actors like Walter Slezak and Jules Munshin are wasted in this bore. Thank goodness Martin was given the chance to play a showy role in "The Young Lions". Another film like this and Dino's movie career would have been over.