Happy Valentine’s Day where many give flowers and chocolates to their loved ones since they ignored them for the rest of the year:). Since this is the actual day for romance, it just seems the right thing to discuss romantic comedies. It will be interesting to see which way some of the film nuts go so head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves to find out. This is a huge theme but I went with a theme within a theme so here are my 3.
PILLOW TALK-1959
That's right, I went Doris, “I knew her before she was a virgin”, Day and Rock, “Mr. Secret", Hudson who made 3 films together and were life-long friends. She stood by him when the shit hit the fan regarding his private life, when he was dying from AIDS. Now, let’s forget about reality and travel back to their fun comedies which included the wonderful Tony Randall who usually played his friend. Pillow Talk is all about telephone lines specifically party lines. Anyone remember this? Does anyone even recall using a rotary phone? Doris is a successful interior designer who is fed up with the man who shares her telephone line. Every time she wants to call out, he is on the phone with some new gal. She is incensed and he decides she needs to be another notch on his bedpost. I love the hilarity of Tony Randall as Hudson’s friend and a big client of Doris's and the great Thelma Ritter as Day’s housekeeper. The film was a big hit and so was the song!
2. LOVER COME BACK-1961
Hudson and Day are at it again as 2 Ad execs on opposite sides of the business street who are in major competition. I don’t think this film would even be made today because it involves her getting drunk from some candy that he gives her and they wake up married! Yeah...this would never be made today and the plot is quite scary since he would now be considered a sexual predator but let’s get back to non reality and have some fun. Remember, this is the day and age when women are supposed to be happy at home making bread in a dress, pearls and high heels. Doris played a woman in a field usually dominated by men and she always seems the stronger person. Again, Tony Randall plays his friend/Boss who befuddled by the whole mess.
3. SEND ME NO FLOWERS-1964
This is a film where the 2 stars are actually married. He plays a hypochondriac who, in a series of misadventures and misunderstandings, has his marriage in deep do-do. Tony Randall is here again giving his best in a film that is actually quite funny but not as well known as the other 2.
Now let’s have a listen to Doris...
What romantic comedies would you pick or who is your go to gal or guy for these types of movies?
Oh, I loved those movies. Rock was my favorite actor.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought for a romantic comedy was 'When Harry Met Sally'.
Agree with Denise! When Harry Met Sally is classic.
ReplyDeleteOf your choices, I have seen the first one.
Hi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteYessum, I am old enough to remember Doris Day before she was a virgin, to remember Rock Hudson when he was a woman chasing bachelor, and when people secretly listened to their neighbors' conversations on party lines. I love these romantic comedy films from the Mad Men era. I have seen all three many times and never grow tired of them. After reviewing the trailers and scenes, I must exclaim that Doris Day was so brilliant, so radiant, a gigantic talent as a singer and, as proven in these films, as a comedic actress. Her timing was impeccable, her subtle moans and breath sounds spoke volumes, and she and Rock made a great team in these comedy classics. It would be very difficult for me to pick a favorite. Comedic character actors Tony Randall and Thelma Ritter were the ideal seasoning for films like these. I love the scenes in which Randall is drunk.
Thank you for posting about these three superb Doris Day - Rock Hudson films, dear friend BB!
I haven't seen any of these but I like your theme within a theme!
ReplyDeleteA happy Valentine’s Day Birgit....we are just back from a lovely sunny walk to see the snowdrops.....
ReplyDeleteGreat film choices ...love Doris Day,my Sunday treat to watch her on the sofa with my dad...ahhh the memories xxxx
Romantic comedies aren't my favorite, but how can you say "no" to Doris Day and Rock Hudson?! Great retro fun. My favorite rom-coms are Benny and Joon, Gregory's Girl, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Green Card, While You Were Sleeping... Hmmm, maybe I like romantic comedies more than I'd realized lol
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw Pillow Talk, I knew the theme, but I expected you to do all three with Day and Hudson. I have seen all three of the ones you chose.
ReplyDeleteMy three? Oh wow. I'd have to think about that.
I just loved watching that Pillow Talk trailer. Doris Day had such a gorgeous voice as well as being a brilliant comedy actress. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved Rock Hudson and Doris Day movies.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day, Birgit.
Perfection!! And they made just the right number to fit!
ReplyDeleteAll are fun films but I love Pillow Talk and Send Me No Flowers about evenly while there is something about Lover Come Back that thrills me a little less. Still I'll stop and watch it if I come across it and I own all three. Doris and Rock have the kind of chemistry you just can't manufacture.
I also did a theme within the theme using a giant of the genre Cary Grant for my trio.
The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (1947)-Playboy artist Richard Nugent (Cary Grant) appears before Judge Margaret Turner (Myrna Loy) for fighting at a nightclub, after a stern warning she dismisses the charge. That same day, Nugent happens to lecture at a high school, where Margaret's teenage sister, Susan (Shirley Temple), falls head-over-heels for him. Things get complicated when Susan sneaks into and is found in his apartment. Back before Judge Turner she orders him to date Susan as a way of easing her attraction. It only gets crazier from there as Richard (now Dickie) embraces his rediscovered teenhood while finding himself attracted to Margaret and vice versa. Breezy comedy (which won a Best Original Screenplay Oscar) is Shirley’s best adult film with all three stars working at top speed.
Indiscreet (1958)-Theatre star Anna Kalman (Ingrid Bergman) meets banker and diplomat Philip Adams (Cary Grant) when she’s visiting her sister and brother-in-law (Phyllis Calvert & Cecil Parker who steal every scene they’re in) in London. After a brief flirtation they fall in love but Philip is married and things seem hopeless until Anna discovers something that puts everything in a new light. Lush, charming comedy with Cary & Ingrid perfectly matched.
Houseboat (1958)-Tom Winston (Cary Grant) is struggling to raise his three children on his own after his wife's death. He meets the charming and beautiful Cinzia Zaccardi (Sophia Loren) at a concert and hires her as a live-in nanny. Unbeknownst to Tom, Cinzia is actually a European socialite on the run from her domineering father (Harry Guardino) and has absolutely no experience with cooking, cleaning or raising children. The fiery Cinzia and staid Tom butt heads until they discover a shared attraction. Cary & Sophia were seriously involved (and almost married) during filming.
Tony Randall might have been the best thing about those Doris Day-Rock Hudson RomComs. He's hilarious.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of these but I like your theme!
ReplyDeleteI used to go see a lot of those Doris Day movies in my early teen years. They are still fun and rather quaint by today's standards. There are so many great romantic comedies that I've seen but they aren't coming to mind at the moment. It's not my go-to genre, but it's one that I enjoy watching if that's what's on the screen.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I really enjoyed Lover Come Back, which I've seen more than once. Lots of racy implications in that one.
ReplyDeleteI've seen the third a while back, a good one indeed, from what I can recall. You've got mail is a top one for me.
ReplyDeleteThere is a film, I wish I could remember the title, which was a homage to the Doris/Rock movies and even had Tony Randall in it, in case you didn’t pick that up.
ReplyDeleteI remember them all, fondly! ☺ It was quite a surprise when Rock Hudson revealed his true orientation, rumours about marriage to Jim Nabors notwithstanding. Two of my favourite romantic comedies are "That Old Feeling", starring Bette Midler and Dennis Farina and "It's Complicated, starring Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin. A great classic film is "His Girl Friday" starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, or, how about those Katharine Hepburn/Spencer Tracy movies? And, "The Philadelphia Story", or, the Grace Kelly remake, "High Society"? SO many films to choose from! ☺
ReplyDeleteI will admit I just love those Doris Day movies. They are just plain fun. Nice choices this week for Valentine's Day. I would never have thought of them and would have picked When Harry Met Sally and Young Victoria. Hope it was a good one. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI love your theme within the theme! I don't think I know any of your picks but really enjoy films like that for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
ReplyDeleteBIRGIT ~
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised y'all hadn't done 'Romantic Comedies' already, because that's such a common and popular category.
There are plenty that I like.
At the top of my list would probably be 'A LITTLE ROMANCE'. I dunno - maybe some folks wouldn't consider that one much of a comedy, but I find myself laughing all throughout it.
'BORN YESTERDAY', of course. (And the original, NOT the remake, of course!)
'DEFENDING YOUR LIFE',
'WHEN HARRY MET SALLY',
'BETTER OFF DEAD',
'THE DEVIL AND MISS JONES',
'LADY AND THE TRAMP'...
Gee, I could go on and on. There are just so many good ones.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
'I knew her before she was a virgin.' Heh.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your long weekend:)
Birgit,
ReplyDeleteThere are a good number of romantic comedies. I have to admit the first one that came to mind is "The Proposal" with Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock but I always liked Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks together in films like "You've Got Mail" and "Sleepless in Seattle". I also like "Kate & Leapold" again Meg Ryan but Hugh Jackman starring opposite. Your features are all new-to-me, so I'm game for watching any or all of them. Thanks for the introduction! ;) I hope your V-Day was a sweet one.
You got me. Haven't seen any of these.
ReplyDeleteWasn't Tony Randall a hoot in Pillow Talk?
ReplyDeleteHave a pleasant, productive, pain-free day.
Yes to party lines. Yes to rotary phones. And, yes, to Doris Day! My all-time favorite love story with her is Calamity Jane. Yi-haw!
ReplyDeleteI used to love Meg Ryan in romantic comedies. Or Julia Roberts, but her picks were more hit-or-miss.
ReplyDeleteThis category is quite a bit easier for me. I love "It's Complicated" with Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin, especially since the actors who play Streep's kids are so brilliant and lovable.
Another Nancy Meyers movie, Something's Gotta Give, is a favorite. Even though I think Diane Keaton's character is crazy to make the decision she does, I can watch this one over and over again.
My third choice is Notting Hill, with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. Though the "comedy" of the piggish roommate gets old with multiple screenings, the chemistry and storyline between Grant and Roberts is wonderful. Great supporting cast too.
And a bonus choice of Pretty Woman. My first Roberts film, and one that will always be a sentimental favorite. She was so enchanting in that movie.