I watched a couple of Cary Grant movies from the late fifties and sixties this weekend. I’ve seen quite a few. They all have several things in common. There are little relationship lessons to be learned. Perhaps they worked then. Perhaps they work now. Don’t know. Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Men are always reluctant to marry, but the right girl will change their minds.
2. The girl is never really looking to get married to that guy, but to someone else who better meets her criteria.
3. Girl doesn’t think it would ever work with the guy and has a list of reasons why.
4. Girl will change her mind after extensive wooing by the man even when it makes no sense to her.
5. Friends connive to get the two together. The friends are always right and never get in trouble for meddling.
6. Little lies are okay when wooing or meddling. If the character’s lies get found out, it’s fine when the other realizes why.
7. There’s no sex. Hints of sex, but no activity that even leads to sex. Always suggested, never seen. You suspect the characters will get it on when the movie is over.
8. Married men and women never cheat or even fool around with others.
9. Marriage is the end all be all. It supplies the satisfying ending. The characters don’t just end up together. They have to get married.
10.  Everyone lives happily ever after.