Move Over, Darling (B or 3/4 stars)
A man makes the highly unexpected discovery that he has two wives in this romantic comedy. Widower Nick Arden (James Garner) has just set off on his honeymoon in sunny Monterey, California with his new wife Bianca (Polly Bergen) when his mother Grace (the always enjoyably cantankerous Thelma Ritter) receives a unexpected guest -- Nick's assumed-deceased wife, Ellen (Doris Day) in 'Move Over, Darling' (directed by Michael Gordon).
While Ellen was proclaimed legally dead 5 yrs. after her plane disappeared over the Pacific Ocean; in actuality, the plane crash-landed on a desert island where she was stranded with Stephen Burkett (beefy Chuck Connors, of The Rifleman) & only now has managed to return to civilization. When Grace informs Ellen that Nick has JUST left town with his new wife, Ellen sets out to the fabulous resort where the newlyweds are staying, and comic confusion/hijinks ensues.
'Move Over, Darling' is a light, enjoyable, effective screwball comedy that is actually a remake of 1940's My Favorite Wife starring Cary Grant & Irene Dunne. This film also began as a Marilyn Monroe flick to be made the year prior in 1962 {titled Something's Got to Give}, but poor Marilyn passed away and co-stars Dean Martin, Cyd Charisse & Phil Silvers were out of a job. I had a good time with this movie, even while realizing that this is nothing more than frothy, sweet nothingness for the public to eat up; and indeed, it was a big hit - along with Day's other flick in 1963, The Thrill of it All.
The charismatic performances from Doris Day, James Garner, Polly Bergen, Thelma Ritter, Chuck Connors, Don Knotts, John Astin, et al make this film go down easy. There is light humor abounding. Aside from a funny car wash scene, I don't think a hair was out of place for Doris throughout, haha. I liked the pastel world that is created for this film {sets, costumes, pools, etc} -- it's just a great movie to literally WATCH. And it doesn't hurt that you can escape into this world of luxury {Garner & Day's amazing California mansion, the seaside resort, etc}.
Now, 'Move Over, Darling' doesn't exactly re-invent the wheel. It's a touch overlong at 105 minutes. There are plot contrivances everywhere. And it won't be winning any major awards for genius scriptwriting. But this wacky 1960's rom com did the trick for me. And it's hard to hate on Doris Day doing her adorable Doris Day thing, or James Garner doing his suave, but loveably goofy thing, as well. Thumbs up.
While Ellen was proclaimed legally dead 5 yrs. after her plane disappeared over the Pacific Ocean; in actuality, the plane crash-landed on a desert island where she was stranded with Stephen Burkett (beefy Chuck Connors, of The Rifleman) & only now has managed to return to civilization. When Grace informs Ellen that Nick has JUST left town with his new wife, Ellen sets out to the fabulous resort where the newlyweds are staying, and comic confusion/hijinks ensues.
'Move Over, Darling' is a light, enjoyable, effective screwball comedy that is actually a remake of 1940's My Favorite Wife starring Cary Grant & Irene Dunne. This film also began as a Marilyn Monroe flick to be made the year prior in 1962 {titled Something's Got to Give}, but poor Marilyn passed away and co-stars Dean Martin, Cyd Charisse & Phil Silvers were out of a job. I had a good time with this movie, even while realizing that this is nothing more than frothy, sweet nothingness for the public to eat up; and indeed, it was a big hit - along with Day's other flick in 1963, The Thrill of it All.
The charismatic performances from Doris Day, James Garner, Polly Bergen, Thelma Ritter, Chuck Connors, Don Knotts, John Astin, et al make this film go down easy. There is light humor abounding. Aside from a funny car wash scene, I don't think a hair was out of place for Doris throughout, haha. I liked the pastel world that is created for this film {sets, costumes, pools, etc} -- it's just a great movie to literally WATCH. And it doesn't hurt that you can escape into this world of luxury {Garner & Day's amazing California mansion, the seaside resort, etc}.
Now, 'Move Over, Darling' doesn't exactly re-invent the wheel. It's a touch overlong at 105 minutes. There are plot contrivances everywhere. And it won't be winning any major awards for genius scriptwriting. But this wacky 1960's rom com did the trick for me. And it's hard to hate on Doris Day doing her adorable Doris Day thing, or James Garner doing his suave, but loveably goofy thing, as well. Thumbs up.