"Girls like me weren't built to be educated. We were made to have
children! That's my ambition! To be a walking, talking baby factory...."
The 1960 movie "Where the Boys Are" is like a catalog of outdated
social roles -- the 1950s, frozen and preserved. "Two years ago I showed
it in a college class to underscore how social rules have changed," one
teacher recently posted online at IMDB.com, adding that "it was all
before the Pill appeared."
But despite the movie's hopeful Connie Francis tune, it's surprisingly
serious.
Like the scene where Merritt, played by 22-year-old actress Dolores Hart,
confronts her
college's dowdy
sociology professor.
Merritt: "Dr. Kinsey says --"
Dowdy Teacher: "We are not discussing Dr. Kinsey. We are
discussing interpersonal
relationships!"
Merritt: "What could be more interpersonal than 'back seat bingo'?"
Dowdy Teacher: "Just what do you consider suitable subject matters
for
discussion in this course?"
Merritt: "We're supposed to be intelligent, so why don't we get
down to the giant
jackpot issue? Like should a girl or should she not under any
circumstances 'play house' before marriage?"
Dowdy Teacher: "I'd be afraid to ask your opinion on such a
subject."
Merritt: "Don't be afraid. My opinion is yes!"
Dowdy Teacher: "Miss Andrews? Report to the Dean....."
Ah, but Merritt Andrews is no push-over, as her Spring Break date finds
out!
She suddenly interrupts their making out to announce...
Merrit: "We're getting a little chummy aren't we? A cigarette
please."
George Hamilton: "I thought we were hitting it off pretty good."
Merrit: "Too good. That's why I'd like a cigarette...."
And the movie veers instantly into another sociological discussion.
George: "It's not hard to see you were a frosh queen."
Merrit: "Thank you. Is that a compliment?"
George: "Yes, it was meant that way. Why, are you insulted?"
Merrit: "A little, yes. No girl enjoys being considered
promiscuous, even those
who might be."
George: "Now that's a pretty old-fangled notion, Merritt. Sex is
no longer a
matter of morals. That idea went out with the racoon coat. Sex is part
of personal relations."
Merrit:"Oh, really....."
22-year-old actress Dolores Hart, who had already done two movies with
Elvis,
made just four more over the next three years. In 1963, "after
completing a promotional
tour for
Come Fly with Me...she had her limousine drop her off at The Abbey
of Regina Laudis."
And she became a nun.
40 years later reporter Mark Lembeck, who'd been trying to interview her
for 20
years to ask her why,
suddenly received a startling
answering machine
message.
"Hello, Mark Lambeck, this is Mother Dolores," began the hesitant,
slightly tremulous
message on my voice mail. "I'm so glad to be in touch with you again
after so many years."
My reaction was immediate: I burst out crying.
It's one of the movie industry's most surprising stories.
"Along with Hollywood she left
behind a broken engagement to Don Robinson, a Los Angeles businessman
who broke down and cried when she told him of her decision. Never
married, he has kept in touch with her to this day..."
As I turned off "Where the Boys Are," my TV reception returned me to 2004,
and
I heard Dr. Phil saying...
"You slept with this guy in a hotel room that your husband paid for?"
9:12 PM