The Tender Trap

by Max Shulman and Robert Paul Smith, Robert Paul Smith, Max Shulman

Has to do with Charlie Reader, a young bachelor in New York who's living the ideal life. Or so it seems to Joe McCall, an old friend of his from Indianapolis. Charlie has an elegant apartment, a good job, and millions of girls all eager to bring him food, tidy up his apartment and fall in with his every wish. The girls are all good-looking, all ladies, and all slightly on the mature side. Joe, who's come to New York because he thinks he's discovered a cure for the common cold, is very much taken with Charlie's set-up and more than somewhat envious. He finds himself becoming interested in Sylvia Crewes, the nicest of Charlie's girls, while Charlie, in the meantime, finds himself getting more and more involved with Julie Gillis, a luscious young morsel just out of college. Julie is in love with Charlie, but she's determined he's going to do things the way she wants them done, which Charlie isn't too enthusiastic about. Charlie juggles his girls till one frantic evening he finds himself engaged to both Julie and Sylvia, and one amusing scene after another results until he finally manages to get rid of the wrong young lady and marry the right one.

Genres: Fiction

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

Reviews

[Tom M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had heard of Max Shulman in the biography of Woody Allen as one of Woody's influences. This was the only book my library system had available so I took a chance on it.

Knowing nothing of the book beforehand, the basic plot revolves around Charlie, a bachelor in New York City with a rotating stream of women in hopes of marriage who shower him with gifts and affection. Eventually we find that all of these women then find out about each other and 'the jig was up', as they'd say in 1955. During the story, a subplot occurs, with his friend Joe arriving out of nowhere saying he'd left his job. Joe, and later, Earl Lindquist attempt to create a new pharmaceutical aid to fight colds.

The story is a more of a light drama with some great comedic dialog at times, but overall I didn't find the story particularly interesting. However, because the book is only 177 pages and in stage play/dialogue form, it makes for a fast read (I read it in 80 minutes). As I read more reviews on this work, apparently it's not one of Shulman's better works, though I hope to read something funnier in the future.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently watched the film adaptation of this 1950s play, and it was interesting to see the differences between the two (and not entirely because of the Hayes Code). The story has some funny moments and lines, but overall, this tale of a dedicated bachelor and a marriage-obsessed young woman is dated. It has some wonderfully satirical moments, but overall the story doesn’t wear its age well.
I did enjoy comparing the film and the play because of their differences, especially because both had stronger areas in comparison to the other. Recommended.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The film adaptation is creepy. Take an older, man-about-town and a naïve little girl, bring them together, and well, big boys need to play with big girls. I thought this is a cringe-worthy story.

Good rhythm, catchy melody, so-so lyrics.

🎵 Pas pour moi!

[Ashley Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

My spring play, senior year of high school. I remember the guy was always drinking and kissed everyone in the cast. Also, I hate wall-to-wall carpeting.