A suburban architect loves his wife but is bored with his marriage and with his work, so he takes up with the neglected, married beauty who lives down the street.
Acting
Novak's wounded restraint vs. Douglas's volcanic desperation.
Cinematography
Those sleek midcentury houses shot like characters.
Writing
Matthau's sleazy novelist steals every scene.
Director
Richard Quine
Kirk Douglas
Larry Coe
Kim Novak
Margaret 'Maggie' Gault
Barbara Rush
Eve Coe
Ernie Kovacs
Roger Altar
Walter Matthau
Felix Anders
Virginia Bruce
Mrs. Wagner
John Bryant
Ken Gault
Kent Smith
Stanley Baxter
Helen Gallagher
Betty Anders
Roberta Shore
Lindy, the Babysitter
Nancy Kovack
Marcia
Sue Ane Langdon
Daphne
Paul Picerni
Arthur Gerandi
Sheryl Deauville
Hat Check Girl
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ernie Kovacs was primarily a TV comedian; this was a rare dramatic role he fought for. He died in a car crash two years later.
The film was controversial for its frank treatment of adultery—so much that some markets censored the ending. Novak's character was considered shockingly 'modern' for refusing to apologize for her desires.
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