Gives students a basis for thinking clearly about real love and shows that mere conviction of love is not enough to insure lasting happiness. A drama.

Gives students a basis for thinking clearly about real love and shows that mere conviction of love is not enough to insure lasting happiness.



Ken Smith notes: Young "Nora" (star of Writing Better Social Letters and future star of How To Say No) thinks she's in love with equally young Jack. Mom gives Nora some general advice (borrowed almost word for word from Are You Ready For Marriage?), and Nora and Jack have dinner with Bob (Jack's older brother) and Jean (Jack's fiance). Nora spends her time thinking about her mother's advice and comparing her relationship to Jack and Jean's. Common sense triumphs, Nora realizes she isn't really in love, and everybody is happy in the end. One of the few Coronet productions to use background music (the "wistful" theme) within the film as a narrative bridge -- to good effect. This one grows on you.



LOVE ROMANCE DATES DATING TEENAGERS PARENTS FAMILY LIFE HOUSES HOMES ENGAGEMENT BEDROOMS DORMITORIES PENNANTS SCRAPBOOKS CHINESE RESTAURANTS CHINATOWNS ADOLESCENTS FOOD COURTSHIP INTERIORS

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Reviewer: JayKay49 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 10, 2014

Subject: This Is A Winner! Well Mom had an oblique way of informing Nora that Jack is most likely just interested in corralling one girl - doesn't matter who, hopefully one that can be easily talked out of her panties - all for the price of a burger and malt.



Mom oughta start giving Nora some lessons in the application of makeup sos she can start hiding that big fat honker of hers (Mom obviously is an expert in that - even with that beak of hers she still managed to get married).



And if Jack is so darn in love with Nora, then whose the chick with the long brown hair below her shoulders in that picture frame on his nightstand? Sure don't look like Nora.



Nice film, though. All characters were portrayed in such a way as to optimally drive home the difference between love and plain old horniness. - May 10, 2014This Is A Winner!

Reviewer: ERD. - favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 15, 2014

Subject: Charming but antiquated This 1950 film made for adolescents is at least 64 years old. Kids today are much more sophisticated with exposure to all the modern advanced forms of communications. Historically it's fun to watch, and charming to see a more innocent era. - January 15, 2014Charming but antiquated

Reviewer: doowopbob - favorite favorite - May 9, 2010

Subject: ....Well... ....If Carol Dines On The Tube Steak, Has Mayo Runnin' Down Her Thigh, She Thinks It's Love, Thats Fine... Meanwhile Cross Town That Night, Velma Was Waitin'.... - May 9, 2010....Well...

Reviewer: Eight Bit Bandit - favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 21, 2007

Subject: Dinner at the Chiam Nora sizes up her boyfriend while eating dinner at a restaurant that couldn't even decide what country it wanted to represent. Having been issued a crash course in love by her mother, Nora examines Jack, a well-meaning guy with the memory of a goldfish and the personality of a clam. They reach a happy conclusion, and both come out a little bit wiser.



This film is a rarity among cinematic ephemera: a film that still tells its message effectively after half a century. It's not a spectacularly profound piece of work, but I think its success lies in its simplicity. It's a neat little film that's too honest to dislike and too bland to mock. - November 21, 2007Dinner at the Chiam

Reviewer: Marysz - favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 17, 2004

Subject: Is Love on the Menu? Nora wonders if shes really in love with her new boyfriend Jack and has a heart to heart talk with her mom about mature love. Jack wonders the same thing about Nora and has a guy to guy talk with older brother Bob. There are no fathers in this film; girls talk to their mothers about relationships, but boys dont talk to their dads. Nora and Jack go out on a double date with Bob and his fiancée, Jean to a restaurant that features both Chinese and American food. Chinese food is treated like a novelty. Bob asks Nora, Have you heard the new recording of the Brahms violin concerto? Nora is startled by this intimidating question and answers, I guess I never learned to appreciate classical music. We can see her wondering if she and Bob have a chance after all. Then Bob, whos so open about listening to new classical records, shuts down and refuses to try the Chinese food. He orders the leg of lamb. Poor Nora is stuck sharing the Lobster Cantonese with the more adventurous Bob and Jeantheres no telling what well get! At the end of the evening, Nora decides that she just wants to be friends with Bob and doesnt kiss him goodnight. They agree to go out roller-skating (the towns in these films are always full of wholesome activities for teens). Noras no fool. She now knows what her future with Bob would be likelistening to classical music and eating boring food. - March 17, 2004Is Love on the Menu?