Three in the Attic: A Look at Campus Life and Relationship Conflicts

Three in the Attic: When Campus Swinging Hits a Brick Wall

Have you heard the phrase "what's good for the goose is good for the gander?" In the 1968 movie, "Three in the Attic," it takes a comical twist. Imagine Christopher Jones, a campus Lothario with three girlfriends. Sounds smooth, right? It’s not. This is no rom-com. Karma arrives with three scorned women.

Let’s explore the plot. Our main character, played by Christopher Jones, believes he is living the dream. He dates three different women, each unaware of the others. His routine is set. He has the sweet talk down. However, as they say, best-laid plans often go awry. In this case, it goes awry in stilettos, bringing thirst for revenge.

The jig is up when Yvette Mimieux, Judy Pace, and Maggie Thrett discover they share him. Most films would lead to catfights or tearful confrontations. "Three in the Attic" chooses a unique path. Instead of dumping our Casanova, they flip the script. Their revenge focuses on exhaustion, physically and mentally.

The plan involves kidnapping Romeo and locking him in an attic. Yes, an attic. Not a dungeon or deserted island, just an attic. The aim? Keep him there, depriving him of sleep and normalcy, until he is utterly worn out. Think of it as relationship rehab in an attic. The film synopsis states: "they catch on and try to exhaust him." They do exhaust him through comical and psychologically taxing situations.

Beyond quirky plot elements, the setting of "Three in the Attic" matters. The movie was filmed at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Anyone familiar with the campus will recognize the locations immediately.

The film features Polk Place, the bustling heart of the university. Scenes take place around Kenan Dorm and the South Building housing administration. These places ground the film in reality. Filming on an actual campus adds audacity to the movie about campus antics.

Choosing UNC Chapel Hill isn't just for looks. It enhances the film's late-60s college vibe. Campuses then were centers of social change and romance. The architecture and atmosphere enhance the movie's feel, making the campus a character itself.

So, "Three in the Attic" is more than a film about one man with too many girlfriends. It captures late-1960s campus life against a real university backdrop. It’s a quirky and absurd look at relationships and revenge in campus swinging. For UNC Chapel Hill alumni, it’s a fun game of spot-the-landmark, adding enjoyment to this unique experience.

Though not a critical darling, the film offers a distinctive take on romantic or anti-romantic comedies. It reminds us that the most creative revenge may not be grand but rather exhausting. All of it unfolds among the brick walkways of a classic American university. After seeing "Three in the Attic," you might hesitate before playing the field, especially near Chapel Hill.