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Doris Day, the perky, chaste adult star of an odd collection of winking 1960s sex comedies, takes the Irene Dunne role in this remake of the comedy classic My Favorite Wife. As the survivor of a five-year ordeal on a desert island, she returns home the very day her husband has remarried. James Garner, trading his Maverick impish humor and con man cool for a mugging performance of double takes and pratfalls, is her overjoyed husband who is too cowardly to tell his neurotic bride (Polly Bergen). All of this, naturally, leads to a ridiculously complicated plot that combines door-slamming sex farce with mistaken identities (Day poses as a Swedish masseuse) and a goofy sped-up car chase. Chuck Connors, who costars as Day's hunky, he-man island mate "Adam," leads a topnotch supporting cast that includes sassy Thelma Ritter as Garner's no-nonsense mother, Don Knotts as a nervous shoe salesman enlisted by Day to impersonate Adam, Fred Clark at his indignant best, and John Astin and Pat Harrington in early roles. Edgar Buchanan practically steals the film as a gruff, irascible judge who growls through the legal circus that forms the film's chaotic climax. The cast for the most part rises above the tepid script and bland direction and Day sings two songs. Interestingly, this remake was originally developed for Marilyn Monroe and Dean Martin as the never completed Something's Got to Give. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Move Over Darling--the
Classic Doris Day comedy with a supporting cast of the best character actors in the business in the 1960'. These include Thelma Ritter, Edgar Buchanan, John Astin, and Don Knotts. Minor stars Chuck Connors and Polly Bergin also put in great performances as a himbo and and bimbo who have attached themselves to Doris Day and James Garner, respectively. The original movie, Something's Got to Give, was supposed to star Dean Martin and Marilyn Monroe, also with a great supporting cast which included Wally Cox in the Don Knotts role. Fox has restored most of the remaining footage of the original film and this can be seen on Fox's DVD about the last days of Marilyn Monroe, available in a multidisc Marilyn Monroe set. It is very interesting to compare these two films, expecially the different styles of playing the female lead between Doris and Marilyn. Marilyn was clearly not doing well at the time of the filming, but Doris is in top form as she portrays Ellen Wagstaff Arden, the wife and mother who is presumed drown at sea but returns to discover her husband has just remarried and she turns everyone's life upside down.

This Gem Needs a Widescreen DVD Release!
Move Over Darling starring Doris Day and James Garner is a very good movie, it is a remake of the classic 1940's comedy My Favorite wife, starring Cary Grant and Irene Dunne and though I slightly prefer the original I still think Move Over Darling is a very good movie that definitely should get a widescreen DVD release. Doris Day plays Ellen Wagstaff Arden a woman presumed drowned at sea in an accident, her husband Nicholas Arden played by James Garner has her declared legally dead after seven years and gets married to this woman named Bianca on the same day he has Ellen declared dead and it becomes very clear that Bianca is a spoiled, high-strung, neurotic woman prone to temper tantrums if she doesn't get her way and boy is she in for a shock! Ellen it turns out isn't really dead but has been living on an island with a a man who also surrived the accident and they have been rescued from the island and on the same day she is declared legally dead and Nick marries Bianca, Ellen arrives at the house where she lived with Nick, sees their children who were very young when she disappeared so they don't know who she is, and she sees Nick's mother, who after recovering from the shock of seeing her tells her Nick has just remarried and you can tell she isn't too fond of her son's new wife, but since Ellen isn't really dead and she is sure Nick has never gotten over Ellen they come up with a plan for Ellen to reunite with Nick. This movie is hilarious, the combination of romantic-comedy and slapstick is perfect! Doris Day and James Garner are both wonderful as Ellen and Nick and Thelma Ritter is wonderful as Nick's mother Grace, and Polly Bergen who plays tempermental Bianca is also wonderful. I highly recommend this movie and I hope it gets on DVD and I also hope My Favorite Wife gets released on DVD!

Doris Day in former Marilyn Monroe part.
In 1962, Dean Martin, Cyd Charisse and Marilyn Monroe were filming "Something's Got To Give". It was going to be a comedy hit. The most memorable scenes were of Marilyn Monroe swimming completly naked. All were happy and swell on the set. Then all of a sudden, Marilyn became ill and either showed up late on the set or called in sick too often. This cost the production to much expense. Ultimatly, Marilyn Monroe was fired and production of the film was shut down. They were going to hire Lee Remick. In a surprise turn of events, the frustrated Dean Martin had a change of heart and said that he would finish the film and then agreed he would do it only if Marilyn returned. All agreed to return to the project. But as bad fate would have it, Marilyn Monroe passed away from an accidental overdose. Only 37 minutes of footage was useful. The project was over.
However, in 2001, American Movie Classics cable network aired a documentary, "Marilyn Monore: The Final Days" for the first time ever. The 37 minutes of footage was professionally put together to make a mini-movie. It was broadcast for the first time on American Movie Classics and it included the nude swimming scenes so beautifully and tastfully done.
Now this "Something's Got To Give" film was brought back together again, but with a new cast and a new title, Move Over, Darling (1963). Some of the original sets were used.
The cast chosen: Doris Day, James Garner, Polly Bergen, Thelma Ritter, Fred Clark, Don Knotts with John Astin, Pat Harington Jr and Chuck Connors. Doris Day plays the former marilyn Monroe part.
James must go to court to declare his wife legally dead. it has been five years since she has been missing. They assumed she drowned in the ocean. Granted so, Jamesalso gets married the same day to Polly bergen. But on this day, the military brings in a woman. It is Doris day his first wife and she is very much alive. With the help of Thelma Ritter, she surprises her husband at his new honeymoon.

Great Movie
I have always loved this movie and was so happy when it was released for the first time 3 years ago on Video.

Ellen Wagstaff Arden (Doris Day) has been trapped on an Island for years with Chuck Connors. She is rescued and brought home to her home in sunny California! When she gets to her home she finds out that her Nick (James Garner) Has gotten married again from her sweet mother in law Eve Ardern (Thelma Ritter) she also finds out that he took his new wife to their hotel that they went to when they were married! Well she gets mad about this and tells him to get rid of his new wife or else she goes but no matter hard he tries he can't tell his new wife this! So they go on with a charade! To go back home Nick fakes breaking his back and when they go back to his home Ellen is faking to be a Sweedish Masseur and she tries to strangle his new wife! Well this movie ends well as do all of Miss Day's Movie! All and all a great movie for the whole family!

I Want This on DVD!!!!
I just voted for this movie to be released out to DVD. I hope the studio will put it on DVD.

Doris Day is at her best and James Garner is good too.

Highly recommended but please vote for this movie to get on DVD! ... Read more

Reviews (72)

Doris and Rock's best movie
Without a doubt, this film is the apex of the Rock and Doris screen collaboration. It's an absolute delight from the opening scenes until the credits roll. It's also a wonderful time machine of the 1950's, and even though I was born after this film was made, it always make me feel as if I experienced this decade first-hand. Doris Day had a charisma on screen that is indescribable and it's never been put to better use than here. You just want to hug her to bits, she's simply adorable and her character makes the film. Rock gives one of his best peformances and he was always better when Doris was around. They screen chemistry is fabulous, exceeded only by Tracy and Hepburn. It's obvious these were two people who liked each other and felt comfortable in each other's company. Thelma Ritter and Tony Randall give superb supporting performances.

Another wonderful thing about Pillow Talk is that it's still extremely funny. There are many scenes where you will laugh out loud. The entire interplay between Doris and Rock (when he's Rex Stetson) is hilarious and holds up beautifully. Another favorite scene is when Rock is confronted with his re-designed apartment, all at the hands of the scheming Doris.

They don't make 'em like this anymore. People of all ages should love this film. I watch it every few years and always find something new to admire or laugh about. A highly recommended and enjoyable movie. One word about the DVD version: I was disappointed in the quality, it's a little grainy. There are also not many extras, excepting the theatrical trailer.

A Comic Inspiration...To Me!
Of all the classic comedies that starred Doris Day and Rock Hudson, or the two stars with other co-stars, this remains my favorite.The legendary late Rock Hudson was at his peak in this romantic comedy, and who better to showcase his charms against, than quintessential girl-next-door, Doris Day. Hudson thrives on his ability to charm indeed, as a songwriter named Brad Allen. Brad is a love-em and leave-em kind of guy, who entertains a seemingly endless array of lovesick females at his well equipped bachelor pad. He also sings to them over the phone for hours on end, tying up the telephone party-line he shares with Jan Morrow, interior designer, enter a perturbed Doris Day. Every time Jan picks up the phone, she hears Brad sing "You're My Inspiration...", and always with a new girls' name attached to the end. Flabbergasted at his womanizing, she sends a phone company rep to have a word with Mr. Allen, only to find that she TOO has fallen for the tall dark and handsome playboy. .............. Jan tells her boyfriend of sorts played by the wonderful veteran comedy legend Tony Randall, about her dialing dilemma. Randall, as always, plays himself. He's neat, dapper and proper, as not only Jan's boyfriend, but Brad Allen's friend and boss as well. After extoling the virtues of Jan to Brad, and mentioning that she shares a party-line with "some nut", describing the singing phone routine, Brad is too curious to find out what Randall is so wild about. After Brad Allen finally glimpses Jan Morrow dancing at a club, and sees the other end of his party line is not the shrew he expected, he sets out for his sweetest conquest of all................ "Pillow Talk" is a timeless gem of classic comedy. Amazingly, it was considered quite risque in it's time. This only goes to show just how jaded the world and cinema has become since 1959. Rock Hudson was actually embarrassed, and nearly declined the role. We can speculate in retrospect why he felt that way, but no one could've been a better cad than Rock as Brad! The one and only Doris Day is sweet as sunshine, until the duped decorator delighfully disarms Mr. Allen's charms, leaving him, for the first time, really in love with someone other than himself. Thelma Ritter is amusing as Jan's perpetually hung-over housekeeper. It's a truly comic moment when Ritter counsels Brad over a few too many drinks on how to win Jan over, and Hudsons' head hits the table with a thud, while Ritter babbles on oblivous to her companions condition. Tony Randall is his classic prim self, and laugh out loud funny, as he storms into his own place to rescue Jan from the smug seducer huffing the line "At least you could have had the DECENCY...to bring your OWN champagne!" .............. There are too many wonderful moments in this film to cover them all. If you somehow haven't, it's far better for you to enjoy watching this long lost genre of the innocent, fun, fresh feel-good romantic comedy, and experience first hand, the pure delight it has to offer in abundance.

Wonderful comedy of 3 Hollywood Stars with amazing chemistry
I grew up knowing about Doris Day because my mother was/is a big fan of her comedies. When I first saw "Pillow Talk" I was a mere child (the film was made the same year I was born). Over the years I have watched it frequently, and now have it also on DVD. The film continues to entertain and delight me, even as my impressions have changed with time.

Doris Day, Rock Hudson and Tony Randall had a wonderfully delightful chemistry amongst them! From the opening where Doris is humming "Pillow Talk" after the intro is completed, to the far-fetched but humourous end when Brad Allen (Rock) is trying to tell his friend Jonathan that he is going to be a father, the film is simply splendidly performed throughout! Credit must also be given to the script writers Stanley Shapiro & Maurice Richlin, director Michael Gordon & Producer Ross Hunter.

Even though I was born the year "Pillow Talk" was made, I didn't even know party lines existed until I visited a great-aunt in Northern Minnesota. I remember picking up the phone and hearing people talk. WHAT A DISCOVERY! It put the film in a new context for me when I saw it later (I am not sure if I had seen it before). I suspect that the younger generation might not understand even the notion of party lines in our age of cellular phones and internet. In this regard, the film takes us back to a less techonologically advanced time, but a time where life seemed somehow more relaxed.

I delight in seeing New York City, Central Park, and the American automobiles in the 1959 frame of context. One question that pops into my mind: did people in NYC really have such big apartments with a single woman living alone, and still affording a maid to come in each day??? Was the maid really paid enough to make a living from it? Did NYC really have that sort of "everyone knows everyone" feel such as when Kelly the police officer congratulates Brad Allen as he carries Jan Morrow from her apartment to his? I doubt it, but the fantasy is lovely!

Rock Hudson did a really fun impression of a Texan rancher up in New York. Tony Randall was extremely funny as the self-deprecating multi-millionaire in love with Jan, and Doris simply glowed from beginning to end. The last few times I have watched it, which has been recently, I have been struck by the sexual frankness it explored. Brad the playboy, always luring in the beautiful women, Jan the wonderfully moral interior decorator, who shakes her tush in a very sexy manner at a nightclub when Brad first spots her, and the budding romance that develops between the two when he becomes "Rex Stetson", a cowboy from Texas. "Rex" playing the moral companion who would do nothing to offend the proper Miss Morrow, while inside he is sizing her up and biting at the bit to ... well bite at her bits? When the gig is almost up, "Rex" innocently suggests that Jan join him for a weekend in Connecticut. While there was no actual sex occuring, it is made clear that it was about to happen when Jan figures out the ruse Brad Allen has played on her. Hollywood, perhaps afraid of the extent of this sexual frankness, has Miss Morrow crying at the diner where she and Jonathan stop for coffee, saying "I thought we were going to get married." Good girl image preserved!

Later, when Brad Allen conspires with Jan's boss to have her redecorate his apartment, the scene of the music beginning to play and the double bed automatically folding out with sheets in place left no doubt what sort of life Brad led prior to falling in love with Jan. He was a playboy through and through and measured success by the quantity of women he successfully "entertained" at home. Growing up believing that promiscuous sexuality was a by-product of the late 60's counter culture movement and "summer of love", it struck me how direct and unambigious this scene was. However, in a very moral and virginal way, Jan's virtues are protected until she hears that Brad wants to marry her and in fact, loves her very deeply.

I am particularly fond of stories where romance changes a person for the good. Being an adult and a male, however, I wonder if such a womanizing playboy could and would remain ever faithful to the woman he loves for all eternity and never feel the need to stray again. It is fun, however, to believe that love was the true redemptor and that Brad and Jan lived happily ever after. Isn't this the great promise of romance AND fairy tales.
In both genres, Pillow Talk succeeds beyond measure and I love it more each time I see it.

P.S. The music is great too. Love "Roly Poly", "Possess Me" and of course, the theme song!

funny!
This is truely one of the funnier Doris Day movies. I enjoy watching it. The first time I saw it was on tv and I just loved it. It's funny and it has a storyline that isn't tired and boring. I would reccomend this movie to anybody who likes musical comedies. The only thing I disliked a bout this movie was that Rock Hudson had to sing. He wasn't too great!

Pillow Talk
Rock Hudson and Doris Day always been one of my favorite classic couples of the 1950s films. Pillow Talk is one of my top titles for their team up. When an uptight decorator share a party line with a carefree playboy who would know that when they meet it would end up love at almost first sight. The late Tony Randall always seem to play the man stuck in the middle of the two in so many of their films that he's a terrfic straight man comic addition. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

"What'd he say?. . . . ."
Dean Martin is an interesting actor; he can be tremendously active and intense or entirely deadpan, depending on the film he's in. In Texas Across the River, he spends most of his time just standing around watching the hilarious antics of Joey Bishop, Alain Delon, a surprisingly effective Peter Graves, and a solid cast of unknowns who make this movie a delightful western parody.

A never-ending series of sight gags unrolls as a gunslinger, cavalry officer, french nobleman and indian war party all attempt to defend their honor, vanquish their enemies and pursue their individual goals, all without putting out too much effort or risking getting hurt in the process. After watching this inane collection of macho lunatics charge around the screen for an hour, it comes as no surprise that a charming southwestern belle and an enchanting young indian maiden finally take matters into their own very capable hands.

There's no end to the chase, the laughs, the romance and the sheer fun as Texas Across the River gets everyone in over their heads. Fans of westerns, comedies or just plain good movies will absolutely love this one!

Sorry, It Ain't Funny
I bought this video based on the customer reviews, and I wish I hadn't. I'm generally a fan of comedy westerns, and I usually enjoy Dean Martin's carefully crafted laid-back style, but this movie just wasn't funny.

It tried to be, and you can see all the gags being setup, but they just misfire. Joey Bishop is cast as a laconic Indian, which could be amusing, but he comes off as drugged, mumbling his "laugh lines" with no concept of timing.Dean Martin is amiable enough as the gun-runner, but he seems more amused at being in the movie than involved. Alan Delon's Spanish nobleman is active and loud, but the character is so sincere he is more embarrassing than humorous as he rushes about.

The plot in a spoofy western doesn't have to be airtight, but this one meandered so much it became incoherent. At first it seemed very important for Dean Martin's character to procure a gunslinger since getting the guns across the river would be dangerous. But this was accomplished with no problem at all. There is a baffling subplot about Delon's character learning from an Indian maiden how to starve longhorn cattle into submission. This takes up an inordinate amount of time, isn't remotely funny (is rather cruel, in fact)and later involves the citizens of a border town who suddenly want to take up cattle ranching.

The story begins when Delon's character is about to marry a petulant Southern belle, when the wedding is invaded by the belle's former fiance, a cavalryman. There ensues much enegertic dueling and smashing of doors, and the fiance is killed inadvertantly when he is kicked out of a window. This could have been a bizarre but funny concept, but here is just weird and distasteful. The cavalry unit, led by Peter Graves, keeps following Delon. There is a running gag of Graves barking incomprehensible orders, which is cute the first time, but is repeated ad nauseum without any comic payoff.

The funniest parts of the film involve Michael Ansara (TV's Cochise) as the suffering Comanche chief saddled with an inept son. Some of the gags involving these two are pretty amusing. But most of the set pieces just misfire. A sequence where Delon uses a red shirt to fight a longhorn steer is reminiscent of a similar--and just as unfunny--bit in a Jerry Lewis movie. The climactic attack on the wagon train is a series of uncoordinated gags, including Joey Bishop's inexplicable marksmanship, that are so ineptly directed that it's difficult to figure out what's happening. You keep waiting for a gag to have a payoff, but none of them ever do.

For a tutorial on how to successfully do a western sendup, try a film made just about the same time--"Support Your Local Sheriff." James Garner's cool and unflappable sheriff captures the deadpan charm Dean Martin was attempting, and Jack Elam's crusty sidekick is everything that the Bishop character isn't. The tone in this film is consistent and the performances orchestrated. "Texas Across the River" wants to be knowingly funny and offbeat, but it succeeds only in being silly and dull.

So be warned--if you like "Support Your Local Sheriff," "Blazing Saddles," "Cat Ballou," to name some of my favorite funny westerns--you won't necessarily like this one!

One of the funniest--on a par with The Villain

I watched this one last night with my brother, and it is hilarious!

A recurring line by by Peter Graves, playing a cavalry officer, was one of the funniest lines. Whenever he issued a command to his troops, no matter whether the intended command was "Forward!," "Dismount!," "Mount up!," or whatever, the command he gave always sounded the same: "Ha-Roar, Har!" Once a disgruntled cavalryman asked another, "What did he say?" and the other simply shrugged.

Dean Martin was his usual rascally self--the very image of the anti-hero, and Alain DeLon, who was a newcomer to me was a good foil.

This is a fine Western comedy, on a par with The Villain, with Kirk Douglas, which is by all odds my favorite in the genre.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre,

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

best western comedy ever!
I sure hope this will come out on DVD. This a fun movie you want to see over and over again.

One of the funniest comedies ever made
This is a movie that my family watches over and over. Would really like to see it on DVD. Dean Martin and Joe Bishop are really good in the movie. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Lush And Glossy Ross Hunter Murder Mystery
Producer Ross Hunter was responsible in the late 1950's and early 1960's of reviving the careers of numerous top flight leading ladies that had earlier experienced lulls in their careers. He totally transformed the career of Doris Day with the classic "Pillow Talk",in 1959. Another of his successful collaborations was with veteran actress Lana Turner who starred in a series of highly glossy and very successful dramas for Hunter. "Portrait in Black", marked their second collaboration after the highly successful "Imitation of Life", the previous year. While certainly not as strong a film as that effort "Portrait in Black", is a beautiful looking, highly entertaining melodrama involving infidelity, murder, and deceit set against the plush surroundings of San Francisco's exclusive Nob Hill district. Lana Turner had one of her better 1960's roles in this film and of course being a Ross Hunter production no expense was spared in displaying his glamourous leading lady to perfection in beautiful clothes designed by Jean Louis, furs and jewels all set off with very flattering lighting courtesy of Russell Metty. Indeed his productions have a 1930's look to them

In "Portrait in Black", Lana Turner plays beautiful Sheila Cabot unhappily married to ruthless shipping magnate Matthew Cabot (Llyod Nolan). Neglected by her unlikeable and highly suspicious husband who keeps her on a tight leash Sheila begins a clandestine affair with the family doctor David Rivera (Anthony Quinn). It appears the affair is doomed to go nowhere as the pair have to meet secretly in David's apartment or in stores for time together. When David is offered a great medical opportunity in Switzerland the pair decide that rather than be seperated they have to take drastic action to be together and hatch a plot to murder Matthew and cover up the deed saying it was death by natural causes. Matthew administers a lethal injection however things are not smooth sailing for the pair after Matthew's death as Sheila begins to receive threatening notes in the mail which offer "congratulations on the success of your murder plans". Naturally the pair begin to see black mailers at every turn. Who knows of their guilt in the family circle? Is it Sheila's haughty disapproving housekeeper Tawny (Anna May Wong) or her unreliable driver Cobb (Ray Walston) who is riddled with gambling debts and would not shy away from black mail? Or could it be Sheila's remote step daughter Cathy (Sandra Dee)?Complication piles on complication for the pair and when suspicion falls on Cabot executive Howard Mason (Richard Basehart) , who has a passion for Sheila, it again leads to murder pulling Sheila and David further and further into the quagmire of criminial activity. After having disposed of Howard's body after a perilous drive to Carmel where Sheila is forced to drive one of the cars despite never having driven one before the real story of the blackmailing notes comes out. David learns tragically that his second murder of Howard was not even necessary for keeping their guilt quiet and that Shelia through her fear of losing David and attempting to tie him closer to her has actually ruined everything. Cathy by accident overhears the pair talking about their guilt and after attempting to call the police in an exciting climax escapes from a crazed David out onto the roof from where trying to pursue her David tragically falls to his death on the pavement below.

At first glance legendary Hollywood glamour queen Lana Turner and roughly hewn Anthony Quinn would appear to make an oddly matched romantic screen couple but both actually combine well in the frantic proceedings in "Portrait in Black". Both are perfectly cast with Turner excelling in the emotional stakes and Quinn being ideal for the more excitable action elements to this story. The movie moves along at an exciting pace, in particular in the second half as suspicion of all the characters increases and as the two get more and more deeply incriminated in the murderous proceedings. The story presses the ironic situation of what was supposed to give them their happiness, ie being free of Matthew Cabot, actually being their complete undoing as they are forced to commit repeat murders. The viewer really is drawn wholeheartedly into these exciting developments. The screenplay contains many intriguing moments such as Lana Turner's frightening drive out to the coast to dump Howard's body and you really feel her terror as she must manage a car when she has never driven one before during a rain storm and has to drive it around dangerously winding roads. Another terrific moment is when Cathy learns of the pairs murderous activity and tries to escape a by now deranged David over the steep rooftop. Many enjoyable red herrings are thrown in to distract the viewer and in that area the sterling work of veteran actress Anna May Wong in her last screen appearance and especially Ray Walston playing a slimy character who as it turns out is totally innocent are first rate and keep you guessing almost up to the stories climax. Ross Hunter had a way with creating beautiful looking productions and apart from the lavish set and costume design the film benefits greatly from on location photography around many parts of San Francisco and the Carmel area.

"Portrait in Black", maybe a glossy melodrama of the old school but it has many exciting moments that will thrill any lover of murder mysteries in high society. Lana Turner was totally suited to these super glamourous, highly melodramatic Ross Hunter efforts and the two had an even greater success together later in 1966 with the classic soap opera "Madame X". "Portrait in Black", not for a second should be taken seriously but the fast moving story guarantees a most satisfying viewing experience. Old style melodrama is rare these days and films produced the way they used to be with no expense spared on the films general look come no better than "Portrait in Black". Check it out sometime you wont be disappointed.

Lana Lover? You'll like this
I'm a big Lana Turner fan, and recently watched this movie for the first time in years. Very melodramatic, the clothes are gorgeous, Lana's makeup is flawless even when she is in the middle of murder. Almost campy, but not a bad movie if you have a couple of hours to waste on the weekend.

Good, but not without several flaws.
A faithless wife(Lana Turner) conspires with her lover(Anthony Quinn) to murder her wealthy husband(Lloyd Nolan). The dastardly duo carry out the dirty deed well enough for the unsuspecting hubby is most assuredly dead; however, after the dearly departed's funeral, someone starts to blackmail them. The premise of this suspense melodrama is rather ordinary, but it is given a considerable lift by splendid decor and an agreeable cast. It's slickly produced by the distinguished Ross Hunter who worked with star Lana Turner a year before on the classic soaper IMITATION OF LIFE. Empty-headed, yet irresistable Hollywood entertainment.

A Priceless Glimpse Of Complete Hollywood Ineptitude
There are 5 reasons to watch this movie: 1. The unbelievably strange cinematography by Russell Metty with its bizarre background/foreground, light/dark contrasts. 2. Lana Turner's first scene, a tour de force of Hollywood voyeurism: she's shown looking out a window so we can admire the back of her gown; as she turns and walks toward the camera, a mirror over a fireplace mantle reflects the lower half of her dress so we see front and back simultaneously. No view of her fabulous outfit is withheld. 3. Anthony Quinn's bunched-like-a-fist face which never modulates its expression no matter the melodramatic circumstances. 4.Sandra Dee's baffling outfit when she's shown boarding a boat on the San Francisco Bay. She looks like a reject from the set of "Lost in Space". 5. John Saxon's hilariously inappropiate impersonation of Marlon Brando in "On the Waterfront". ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (33)

Charming, amusing love story
The play in which Steve Martin's "Roxanne" was based on is "Cyrano de Bergerac", a French play by Edmond Rostand. The title character is a witty men, well about words, but has a physical appendage that all find alarming and engrossing: a large, portrusive nose. He falls in love with Roxanne, but she is in love with another man; while he is beautiful, he's also a veritable dunderhead. Cyrano agrees to help him court Roxanne and many funny happenings occur. This is an amusing play, sure to charm anyone who can take physical imperfections lightly.

Translation captures poetry and wit of Rostand's hero.
Most readers and performers are probably more familiar with the translation of Cyrano by Brian Hooker. Hooker's translation has much to recommend it but it fails to capture the poetic power, whimsy or grace of Rostand's play. I feel the Burgess translation better represents Cyrano to a modern reader. One previous reviewer suggested that there was something almost absurd about Cyrano as he is portrayed by Rostand. Burgess himself had qualms about translating the play into rhyme. But this convention is powerful because it suggests that the men and women of Cyrano's dramatic world (even the lackwits) were impressed by cleverness, grace and beauty. It is set out in the play that Roxanne is one of the literary precieuse. The type of cleverness that Cyrano portrays in rhyme would appeal to her. At the same time, Cyrano is not a fop but a man of action whose mind is not stilled even by combat. Also this translation shows that Christian's "military wit" was something Cyrano could appreciate for its poetic appropriateness as well as for its courage. I think in some ways Cyrano's chivalry and heroism, as well as the more unrealistic elements of the play, are actually made more vivid and convincing by the use of rhyme. Burgess transports us to Rostand's imagined world of poetry and chivalry directly. . . and does not relent for a moment in portraying it. I think the real Hercule Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac would have appreciated the flair of it all. And if you don't buy that?-- Well, the fight scenes are STILL cool. Happy reading.

BEST OF THE CYRANOS
This Hal Roach Studios production from Image Entertainment is the best of the best. Flawlessly transferred from original 35mm camera negative and finegrain material, it features a brilliant soundtrack as well as the original theatrical trailer. This is the real deal--not a backyard dupe offered in a quickie transfer (probably to analogue) for el cheapo prices. If you want CYRANO, this class act version is the one to buy. SPECIAL NOTE: The specification notes indicated on the Amazon site are WRONG--this disc is encoded "Region Zero" not "Region One" as is stated. It will play on any DVD player anywhere in the world. So, what are you waiting for?? (Review refers to Hal Roach Studios DVD version released by Image Entertainment.)

BLUNT BLADE
THIS DVD IS JUNK... I SUGGEST YOU TRY ANOTHER COMPANY'S VERSION OF CYRANO.

And found myself the hero
I don't know how it's possible for a writer to expose my inner-workings so dynamically. This was written before I was born. However, the poetry and pomp, the lust and life, the fantasy and phantom of love, pure and chaste from afar defines me from inwards to extremity. I must now replace this masterpiece of a clairvoyant ancestor of Ralph Edwards.
The soul of any artist knows that life is not what we see, but how we perceive what we see. This video allows those with vision to glimpse the reality reserved for those who can recount their perceptions in whatever form.
See this video, if you never see another. The effect it will have on your life depends on your level of surrender to the realities in life. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

It beats the 11:35
If you look close. For that matter if you do not look close, you can see yourself and others in this movie. Kim Novak (Cathy) is a sociologist who finds a perfect setup for applied research. Now before you cover your kid's eyes, it is not that type of movie. In fact every time a juicy story starts, some train comes by and all we get is the punch line. It must be an educational movie as the husbands tell their wives that they signed up for classes at "The new School for Social Research" I looked it up and the school is real. One class is "creative accounting"

Be sure to look at the cast list. It is fun to try to remember other movies that they were in. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The Old Guard sets slowly into the Sunset
THE IMPOSSIBLE YEARS is an interesting look at being a parent and a teenager in the late 1960s. On one hand you have David Niven playing a psychiatrist who is unable to understand the behavior of his oldest teenage daughter played by Cristina Ferrare. On the other hand you have Ferrare as a seemingly carefree adolescent starting out as the misunderstood teenage grub and in the final analysis emerging as the beautiful and free adult butterfly. Niven is dutifully and infinitely concerned yet remains totally perplexed by her behavior. Ferrare however has the situation completely under control. In this case less is more. This is a comedy but I wonder about the statement it makes. If you look at the decade before and a film such as REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE it makes you wonder. REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE gave us a world upside down where for almost the entire film the roles of teenager and parent are reversed. Yet REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE ends with the teenager clutched by his parent who promises to be there and take each step along with his child. Both parent and teenager have learned and grown during the process of that story. REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE was indicative of the fear, paranoia and confusion prevalent during the 1950s. Yet in its conclusion it reverts back to the idea that the hope for traditional values will prevail. If THE IMPOSSIBLE YEARS was made as a film in the 50s it would probably not have been a comedy. The issues confronting parents and teenagers were different but were just as hefty from a moralistic standpoint. THE IMPOSSIBLE YEARS ends on a completely different note than REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE. It ends with complacency. THE IMPOSSIBLE YEARS was made during that narrow window of time during the 60s when we enjoyed prosperity and our immutable cocktail parties. The morality of the Vietnam conflict was just becoming apparent to the American civilian population. The dark shadow of war had not descended over the country. The term activism was slowly creeping into the colloquial vocabulary of the time. THE IMPOSSIBLE YEARS could easily be taken as fluff but I think it is actually an important film. David Niven represents the old guard of cinema's representation of sound parenthood. James Dean's screen parents were definitely treading on perilous waters. Fifteen years later the parents were to see time pass them by and leave them still dedicated as they actually always were but are now worrisome impotent shadows of a era and morality long gone and never to return. James Dean's teenage screen peers were deeply perplexed and troubled youths who used violence when the teapot began to boil. Fifteen years later one wonders what all the worrying and trouble was about. Cristina Ferrare's troubles are no trouble at all. They are just a diversion until she graduates. Unfortunately she did not know that the real world still awaited her.

All About Growing Up
1968's "The Impossible Years" is a very stylish and chic comedy set in suburbia as the era of the innocent and carefree American lifestyle was coming to an end. David Niven plays a psychiatrist who is run ragged trying to keep his free spirited teenage daughter, played by the beautiful Cristina Ferrare, sheltered from her new found sexuality. I saw this film when I was in 8th grade and it has always held a special place in my heart. It was part of my growing up. I still remember it fondly. I remember that this film was rated "G" and there was quite a commotion made about that because of all the references to human sexuality that it contained. We have sure come a long way since this film was released. Lola Albright, Chad Everett and the beloved Ozzie Nelson were also in the cast. It was directed by Michael Gordon who directed some great 1960's era comedies such as "BOYS' NIGHT OUT," "PILLOW TALK," and "MOVE OVER, DARLING."

Academy Award winner David Niven for best actor.
Directed by Michael Gordon ["Pillow Talk" (1959) ASIN: 6300182118] (see my review). Written by George Wells (based on a play by Bob Fisher and Arthur Marx)

From the back cover:

Psychiatrist Jonathan Kingsley (Niven) is writing a book about adolescent problems, but ironically his own adolescent problem - namely daughter Linda - is unmanageable. The rebellious seventeen-year-old is threatening her father's promotion by getting arrested in campus demonstrations, dating the sex-crazed neighbor boy and appearing as the subject of nude paintings. When she mysteriously changes her ways, the abrupt transition from awkward teenager to charming young woman has Kingsley in a dither trying to find the culprit who's stolen her "innocence"

You can see from the cast list that this is a must see movie. And there is even an Agatha Christy who-done-it scene.

Best Movie Ever - Highly Underrated!
I first saw this movie as a young child, and I laughed myself silly. But unlike most movies I enjoyed as a child, this one only gets better with age. I can recite many of the lines, but each time I hear them, I laugh again. My family all agrees this movie is a classic and not to be missed. If you need a break from all the seriousness and bad news in the world, this is a great "escape" movie.

Feminine Fantasy
Oscar caliber screenplay? No. Mindless, happy ending escapism, yes! What every baby boomer teenage girl wanted: a "shrink" father who looked like David Niven and a "suitor" who looked like (a young) Chad Everett. I loved the repartee between the charachters the first time I saw this, 30 years ago, and I still do now. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (33)

Charming, amusing love story
The play in which Steve Martin's "Roxanne" was based on is "Cyrano de Bergerac", a French play by Edmond Rostand. The title character is a witty men, well about words, but has a physical appendage that all find alarming and engrossing: a large, portrusive nose. He falls in love with Roxanne, but she is in love with another man; while he is beautiful, he's also a veritable dunderhead. Cyrano agrees to help him court Roxanne and many funny happenings occur. This is an amusing play, sure to charm anyone who can take physical imperfections lightly.

Translation captures poetry and wit of Rostand's hero.
Most readers and performers are probably more familiar with the translation of Cyrano by Brian Hooker. Hooker's translation has much to recommend it but it fails to capture the poetic power, whimsy or grace of Rostand's play. I feel the Burgess translation better represents Cyrano to a modern reader. One previous reviewer suggested that there was something almost absurd about Cyrano as he is portrayed by Rostand. Burgess himself had qualms about translating the play into rhyme. But this convention is powerful because it suggests that the men and women of Cyrano's dramatic world (even the lackwits) were impressed by cleverness, grace and beauty. It is set out in the play that Roxanne is one of the literary precieuse. The type of cleverness that Cyrano portrays in rhyme would appeal to her. At the same time, Cyrano is not a fop but a man of action whose mind is not stilled even by combat. Also this translation shows that Christian's "military wit" was something Cyrano could appreciate for its poetic appropriateness as well as for its courage. I think in some ways Cyrano's chivalry and heroism, as well as the more unrealistic elements of the play, are actually made more vivid and convincing by the use of rhyme. Burgess transports us to Rostand's imagined world of poetry and chivalry directly. . . and does not relent for a moment in portraying it. I think the real Hercule Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac would have appreciated the flair of it all. And if you don't buy that?-- Well, the fight scenes are STILL cool. Happy reading.

BEST OF THE CYRANOS
This Hal Roach Studios production from Image Entertainment is the best of the best. Flawlessly transferred from original 35mm camera negative and finegrain material, it features a brilliant soundtrack as well as the original theatrical trailer. This is the real deal--not a backyard dupe offered in a quickie transfer (probably to analogue) for el cheapo prices. If you want CYRANO, this class act version is the one to buy. SPECIAL NOTE: The specification notes indicated on the Amazon site are WRONG--this disc is encoded "Region Zero" not "Region One" as is stated. It will play on any DVD player anywhere in the world. So, what are you waiting for?? (Review refers to Hal Roach Studios DVD version released by Image Entertainment.)

BLUNT BLADE
THIS DVD IS JUNK... I SUGGEST YOU TRY ANOTHER COMPANY'S VERSION OF CYRANO.

And found myself the hero
I don't know how it's possible for a writer to expose my inner-workings so dynamically. This was written before I was born. However, the poetry and pomp, the lust and life, the fantasy and phantom of love, pure and chaste from afar defines me from inwards to extremity. I must now replace this masterpiece of a clairvoyant ancestor of Ralph Edwards.
The soul of any artist knows that life is not what we see, but how we perceive what we see. This video allows those with vision to glimpse the reality reserved for those who can recount their perceptions in whatever form.
See this video, if you never see another. The effect it will have on your life depends on your level of surrender to the realities in life. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Gleason Rules!!
Jackie Gleason rules in this Comedy about a father winning back his estranged son with beautiful poetry and money.Also co-starring Maureen O'Hara and Shelly Winters.It's a must see!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Edmond Rostand's ineffably romantic play about the big-nosed soldier and swordsman with a poet's soul looks stagey in this 1950 film adaptation. But, thanks to a heartfelt performance by Jose Ferrer (who won an Oscar for the role), the beauty of Rostand's words shines through. Ferrer plays Cyrano, who is in love with the beautiful Roxanne but is unable to tell her so for fear that she will reject him because of his extremely prominent nose. In a heart-breaking turn, she confesses her love to him--but it is love for another man, a soldier under his command named Christian. Christian, however, is a good-hearted but tongue-tied youngster, and so the older Cyrano woos Roxanne vicariously by supplying Christian with his own words of love, most famously in a balcony scene in which Cyrano speaks for himself while pretending to be Christian. Ferrer is tender, tough, and funny and single-handedly pulls this film to near-greatness. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (33)

Charming, amusing love story
The play in which Steve Martin's "Roxanne" was based on is "Cyrano de Bergerac", a French play by Edmond Rostand. The title character is a witty men, well about words, but has a physical appendage that all find alarming and engrossing: a large, portrusive nose. He falls in love with Roxanne, but she is in love with another man; while he is beautiful, he's also a veritable dunderhead. Cyrano agrees to help him court Roxanne and many funny happenings occur. This is an amusing play, sure to charm anyone who can take physical imperfections lightly.

Translation captures poetry and wit of Rostand's hero.
Most readers and performers are probably more familiar with the translation of Cyrano by Brian Hooker. Hooker's translation has much to recommend it but it fails to capture the poetic power, whimsy or grace of Rostand's play. I feel the Burgess translation better represents Cyrano to a modern reader. One previous reviewer suggested that there was something almost absurd about Cyrano as he is portrayed by Rostand. Burgess himself had qualms about translating the play into rhyme. But this convention is powerful because it suggests that the men and women of Cyrano's dramatic world (even the lackwits) were impressed by cleverness, grace and beauty. It is set out in the play that Roxanne is one of the literary precieuse. The type of cleverness that Cyrano portrays in rhyme would appeal to her. At the same time, Cyrano is not a fop but a man of action whose mind is not stilled even by combat. Also this translation shows that Christian's "military wit" was something Cyrano could appreciate for its poetic appropriateness as well as for its courage. I think in some ways Cyrano's chivalry and heroism, as well as the more unrealistic elements of the play, are actually made more vivid and convincing by the use of rhyme. Burgess transports us to Rostand's imagined world of poetry and chivalry directly. . . and does not relent for a moment in portraying it. I think the real Hercule Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac would have appreciated the flair of it all. And if you don't buy that?-- Well, the fight scenes are STILL cool. Happy reading.

BEST OF THE CYRANOS
This Hal Roach Studios production from Image Entertainment is the best of the best. Flawlessly transferred from original 35mm camera negative and finegrain material, it features a brilliant soundtrack as well as the original theatrical trailer. This is the real deal--not a backyard dupe offered in a quickie transfer (probably to analogue) for el cheapo prices. If you want CYRANO, this class act version is the one to buy. SPECIAL NOTE: The specification notes indicated on the Amazon site are WRONG--this disc is encoded "Region Zero" not "Region One" as is stated. It will play on any DVD player anywhere in the world. So, what are you waiting for?? (Review refers to Hal Roach Studios DVD version released by Image Entertainment.)

BLUNT BLADE
THIS DVD IS JUNK... I SUGGEST YOU TRY ANOTHER COMPANY'S VERSION OF CYRANO.

And found myself the hero
I don't know how it's possible for a writer to expose my inner-workings so dynamically. This was written before I was born. However, the poetry and pomp, the lust and life, the fantasy and phantom of love, pure and chaste from afar defines me from inwards to extremity. I must now replace this masterpiece of a clairvoyant ancestor of Ralph Edwards.
The soul of any artist knows that life is not what we see, but how we perceive what we see. This video allows those with vision to glimpse the reality reserved for those who can recount their perceptions in whatever form.
See this video, if you never see another. The effect it will have on your life depends on your level of surrender to the realities in life. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (33)

Charming, amusing love story
The play in which Steve Martin's "Roxanne" was based on is "Cyrano de Bergerac", a French play by Edmond Rostand. The title character is a witty men, well about words, but has a physical appendage that all find alarming and engrossing: a large, portrusive nose. He falls in love with Roxanne, but she is in love with another man; while he is beautiful, he's also a veritable dunderhead. Cyrano agrees to help him court Roxanne and many funny happenings occur. This is an amusing play, sure to charm anyone who can take physical imperfections lightly.

Translation captures poetry and wit of Rostand's hero.
Most readers and performers are probably more familiar with the translation of Cyrano by Brian Hooker. Hooker's translation has much to recommend it but it fails to capture the poetic power, whimsy or grace of Rostand's play. I feel the Burgess translation better represents Cyrano to a modern reader. One previous reviewer suggested that there was something almost absurd about Cyrano as he is portrayed by Rostand. Burgess himself had qualms about translating the play into rhyme. But this convention is powerful because it suggests that the men and women of Cyrano's dramatic world (even the lackwits) were impressed by cleverness, grace and beauty. It is set out in the play that Roxanne is one of the literary precieuse. The type of cleverness that Cyrano portrays in rhyme would appeal to her. At the same time, Cyrano is not a fop but a man of action whose mind is not stilled even by combat. Also this translation shows that Christian's "military wit" was something Cyrano could appreciate for its poetic appropriateness as well as for its courage. I think in some ways Cyrano's chivalry and heroism, as well as the more unrealistic elements of the play, are actually made more vivid and convincing by the use of rhyme. Burgess transports us to Rostand's imagined world of poetry and chivalry directly. . . and does not relent for a moment in portraying it. I think the real Hercule Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac would have appreciated the flair of it all. And if you don't buy that?-- Well, the fight scenes are STILL cool. Happy reading.

BEST OF THE CYRANOS
This Hal Roach Studios production from Image Entertainment is the best of the best. Flawlessly transferred from original 35mm camera negative and finegrain material, it features a brilliant soundtrack as well as the original theatrical trailer. This is the real deal--not a backyard dupe offered in a quickie transfer (probably to analogue) for el cheapo prices. If you want CYRANO, this class act version is the one to buy. SPECIAL NOTE: The specification notes indicated on the Amazon site are WRONG--this disc is encoded "Region Zero" not "Region One" as is stated. It will play on any DVD player anywhere in the world. So, what are you waiting for?? (Review refers to Hal Roach Studios DVD version released by Image Entertainment.)

BLUNT BLADE
THIS DVD IS JUNK... I SUGGEST YOU TRY ANOTHER COMPANY'S VERSION OF CYRANO.

And found myself the hero
I don't know how it's possible for a writer to expose my inner-workings so dynamically. This was written before I was born. However, the poetry and pomp, the lust and life, the fantasy and phantom of love, pure and chaste from afar defines me from inwards to extremity. I must now replace this masterpiece of a clairvoyant ancestor of Ralph Edwards.
The soul of any artist knows that life is not what we see, but how we perceive what we see. This video allows those with vision to glimpse the reality reserved for those who can recount their perceptions in whatever form.
See this video, if you never see another. The effect it will have on your life depends on your level of surrender to the realities in life. ... Read more