40 Carats (film)

40 Carats is a 1973 American romantic comedy film directed by Milton Katselas. It is based on the 1968 play of the same name by Jay Presson Allen. The screenplay was written by Leonard Gershe (who significantly changed the ending).

The film stars Liv Ullmann, Edward Albert, Gene Kelly, Binnie Barnes (in her final film role), Deborah Raffin, Nancy Walker, and Natalie Schafer. Ullman was nominated for a Golden Globe as Best Motion Picture Actress, Musical or Comedy, and the Writers Guild of America nominated Gershe's screenplay for Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium.

Plot
On vacation in Greece, Ann Stanley is stranded on the coast when her rented car breaks down. A handsome young man on a motorbike, Peter Latham, offers Ann a ride, which she refuses, reluctant to get on a bike at 36 or accept a ride from a stranger. Peter points out that she is overly cautious, lacking spontaneity or a sense of adventure. Fifty miles from Argos, she may have a long wait. He points out the beauty of the spot, near ancient Greek ruins. Peter proceeds to go down to sea level to swim, pitching a tent within sight of Ann waiting. Eventually Ann joins him in the surf, introducing herself as “Penelope Potter.” They swim, fish, discuss life (Peter is 22), drink ouzo, become increasingly attracted, and ultimately have sex. Peter presents her with a ring he found in the sea. Ann accepts the ring as a token of a serendipitous encounter. The next morning, she flags down a ride on a boat with fishermen, and leaves Peter, still asleep, with a farewell kiss.

In New York, Ann, a realtor, is showing expensive apartments to a client, JD Rogers. A big commission is at stake, so she accepts his invitation to dinner. As Ann is dressing for her date, her 17-year-old daughter, Trina, is awaiting a ride to a party. Trina is being picked up by her date’s friend—Peter Latham. Trina’s pushy grandmother is thrilled that Peter is a member of an ultrarich socialite family. At 22, Peter works as director of labor relations, while his father remains aloof from the company business. When Ann appears, she is shocked to see Peter, who is delighted to encounter “Penelope Potter” again. He compliments the ring she is wearing, without revealing its origins. JD arrives to pick Ann up for dinner. At the party, Peter pumps Trina for information on Ann. Mistaking his interest in her family, Tina informs him that she prefers older men. Peter learns that Ann remains on friendly terms with Trina’s father, Billy Boylan, who she divorced because of his irresponsibility, and who frequently relies on his ex-wife for loans.

To insinuate himself with Ann, Peter goes to her business to find an apartment. JD appears and takes Ann, Trina, Peter, and Billy to dinner; all enjoy a cordial evening. Over the next few weeks, Peter refuses to take no for an answer, convincing Ann to date to determine their compatibility. While the age difference embarrasses Ann, Peter is confident they are a good match. Ann’s revelation that she is 40, not 36, does not faze him. Meanwhile, JD, who is 43, confesses to Ann that he has been dating Trina and wishes to marry her. Because of the age difference, Ann hesitates to give approval. By contrast, Ann begins to see that Peter, at 22, is more mature than either JD or Billy in their forties.

Peter asks Ann to marry him, but she vacillates. Ann’s associates are less accepting of her and Peter than of Trina’s and JD’s relationship. Peter persists, and eventually Ann agrees to leave the next evening to be married in Greece. Before flying off, Peter arranges to have her meet his parents. Peter’s father calls to ask Ann for drinks before their dinner date. Ann assumes Peter will be there. Undermining Ann’s confidence—against his wife’s wishes--Mr. Latham suggests that Peter eventually will tire of an older wife and seek women his own age. When Peter arrives at the originally appointed time, his father’s deception becomes clear when Ann expresses doubts about their hasty marriage plans. Peter admonishes his father for his own rocky marriage. Peter tells Ann that she must commit to their union without allowing herself to be influenced by others. With or without her, he will be on the flight to Greece that evening. Ann goes home to think things over.

Ironically, Ann’s ex-husband convinces her that she is happier with Peter than she has been in a long time. Ann takes the next flight to Greece. In Greece, Ann meets Peter at the site where they first met. She hops on the back of his motorcycle, and they ride off together to be married.

Cast

 * Liv Ullmann as Ann Stanley
 * Edward Albert as Peter Latham
 * Gene Kelly as Billy Boylan
 * Binnie Barnes as Maud Ericson
 * Deborah Raffin as Trina Stanley
 * Billy Green Bush as J.D. Rogers
 * Nancy Walker as Mrs. Margolin
 * Don Porter as Mr. Latham
 * Rosemary Murphy as Mrs. Latham
 * Natalie Schafer as Mrs. Adams
 * Claudia Jennings as Gabriella
 * Sam Chew Jr. as Arthur Forbes

Production
Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Joanne Woodward, Doris Day, Glenda Jackson, Shirley MacLaine, and Sophia Loren were all considered for the role of Ann Stanley before the original director (William Wyler) bowed out of the production.

On the Broadway stage in 1968, the role was originated by Julie Harris, who won a Tony Award for her performance. Actresses June Allyson, Joan Fontaine, and Zsa Zsa Gabor succeeded her on Broadway in the play, which ran for 780 performances.