Hollywood created some nice romantic dramas and comedies in the 1960s, and sometimes the movies were backed by beautiful Henry Mancini scores. There was the Apartment (1960), Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), Charade (1963), and Dear Heart (1964). Mancini had hits on the charts with the last three of these.
Dear Heart is a pleasant romantic comedy about two mature loners who meet and fall in love. Staying at the same hotel are Evie Jackson (Geradine Page) – in town from Ohio for a Postmasters Convention – and Harry Mork (Glenn Ford), greeting card salesman just recently promoted to marketing executive. Both are amiable and easygoing. Evie, who indeed does have a good heart, is a bit wacky on the outside and despondent inside. She is so lonely that she leaves messages for herself in hotels and train stations. Harry, from Pennsylvania, has had many relationships without meaning. Engaged to be married within the month, he is happy to be settling down finally – to the widowed and worldly Phyllis (Angela Lansbury), whose appearance is fairly late in the movie. Phyllis' zany son is Patrick (Michael Anderson Jr.), a bearded beatnik (who would be considered a hippie just a few years later). Anyway, Harry and Evie's relationship begins to take off when they share a luncheon table at the hotel's restaurant. They do not seem to have much in common, but then
there is no need to go into further detail. But one may have a complaint: why does Harry continue to insist that he is married when he is not? Is he afraid of ruining his relationship with Phyllis? His insistence even comes at the point when he must suspect that he and Evie are right for each other.
There is great supporting cast spearheaded by such endearing folks as Barbara Nichols and Richard Deacon. These characters – and the main ones – are well-developed. A special treat is the previously mentioned title song by Henry Mancini (also popularized by Andy Williams); Mancini would receive an Oscar nomination in 1965. In all, the film is pleasant and enjoyable.
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