Move Over Darling

This is a wonderful movie!! Day with her facial expressions is hilarious!!! Love watching this movie when I need a good laugh and feel good.

For what is basically just a very funny sixties comedy film, “Move Over Darling” comes with a lot of baggage. First we have to go all the way back to 1864 and Tennyson’s narrative poem, “Enoch Arden” which created the basic plot of (in the poem) a sailor returning after a ten year absence to find his wife remarried. Much is changed from the poem, including not only the gender switch but the switch from tragedy to comedy. The last name of Arden is kept as a nod to the poem.In 1940 Leo McCarey and Garson Kanin turned the material into a comedy, “My Favorite Wife”, with Cary Grant, Irene Dunne and Gail Patrick and scored a big hit. In 1962 Twentieth Century Fox began remaking it as “Something’s Got To Give” with Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin and Cyd Charisse. That, of course was famously scrapped, first due to Marilyn’s undependability and after being reinstated in the film, her death. With the sets built and financially reeling after “Cleopatra”, the studio decided to press on with a script adjusted to its new stars, Doris Day, James Garner and Polly Bergen. Only Thelma Ritter was retained from the Monroe film. In a funny scene, Day even references the Grant-Dunne film. James Garner was originally intended as the lead with Monroe by couldn’t because of “The Great Escape” and was replaced by Martin.Of course the early sixties public would have been unaware of most all of this and simply accepted it as a new Doris Day comedy with her latest leading man, James Garner, who had been in her last film, “The Thrill of It All”. They worked really well together and the result was one of the biggest films of 1963-64. Here they are Nick and Ellen Arden. Watch Garner’s funny facial expressions as he reacts to every increasingly bizarre situation; he has great timing and it was his comic expressions that convinced producer Roy Huggins to cast him as the lead in his new TV series, “Maverick”. Day, of course, had impeccable comic timing and here gets to be angry, cunning and even zany. For me, two of her funniest scenes ever are in this film. The first is as a “Swedish Nurse” who gives massages. The second is in a car chase which was filmed last in case the elements of the scene messed up her looks (showing that it is actually her in the car, not a double; that’s how professional she was). She also gets to play some realistically tender scenes with her two daughters who do not know who she is because of the five year gap. Day had a great range and always seemed authentic in her roles, a very underrated actress.Polly Bergen is in the thankless but funny role of Bianca, Garner’s intended bride, who is, naturally the wrong woman for him (In a Day movie, any other possible romantic partner is the wrong woman). She telegraphs this from the start with her jangly bracelet and self-centered ways to a wardrobe that includes coral suits with leopard lapels. Her frustration on her honeymoon is hilarious. Thelma Ritter (also in “Pillow Talk”) is Day’s no-nonsense mother-in-law who gives her good advice when needed. Don Knotts makes a brief but memorable appearance as a shoe clerk. Edgar Buchanan is very funny as a judge who seems to want to be anywhere but in the courtroom.The production is lush with the Beverly Hills Hotel standing in for the “Monterey Inn”. The Ardens’ very upscale Beverly Hills home is ready for a magazine shoot. The sets for the house were modeled after George Cuckor’s actual house (he was directing “Something’s Got To Give”). It has nice mid-century modern interiors that show what the style was usually like, not as sparse as today’s take on it. The exteriors were shot in Holmby Hills, where this would be a rather modest house and in fact it was torn down to build something larger. There’s also a nice musical score by Lionel Newman that’s jazzy during the car chase and swooning with romantic strings that seem to be about to burst into “Younger Than Springtime” during the romantic scenes.The premise of the film holds up because it puts Nick Arden in a bad legal situation involving bigamy and is not just about a romantic misunderstanding.This was one of Day’s best later comedies so be sure not to miss it.

I don't have in my movie of cd's video library.

This takes you back to fun times in the past!

When I originally reviewed "Move Over, Darling" in 2000, I rated it 4 stars. Having recently watched the film again, I feel it necessary and appropriate to review it again and raise it to 5 stars! Why? Simple. This fast-paced comedy romp is a delightful mixture of comedy, pathos, slapstick, and heart, delightfully enacted by a talented cast under the skilled direction of Michael Gordon. The end result will have even the most dour soul grinning from ear to ear.20th Century Fox released this gem at the end of 1963, as their big holiday production. The studio had suffered a number of financial setbacks and "Move Over, Darling" virtually rescued the studio by becoming one of the blockbuster hits of 1964. In addition, Miss Day's recording of the title tune, co-written by her son Terry Melcher, proved to be a popular hit on the charts, especially in England where it stayed on the lists for many weeks."Move Over, Darling" had a long and interesting story behind it. It had originally been made in 1940 with the title "My Favorite Wife" starring the classic pairing of Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. It's story, however, had been utilized under various guises for many years - the spouse assumed dead - the remaining member remarrying - the presumed dead mate returning.Fox thought enough of it to polish it off in 1962, give it to Director George Cukor and a cast including Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin, Cyd Charisse, and Wally Cox among others. Tragic circumstances intervened and it never got made. Seeking a hit, they enlisted the aid of Miss Day, the world's most popular box-office star in 1963, signing her to this, the first of three films she would make at that studio (the others being "Do Not Disturb" in 1965 and "Caprice" in 1967), under producer Aaron Rosenberg who co-produced with Day's husband Martin Melcher.While some might carp that the end product was too glossy or improbable, recent glimpses at the footage assembled from the aborted 1962 production would seem to indicate that, after stripping away the veil of nostalgia associated with Monroe's demise, the effort was doomed to failure. Despite Cukor's deserved reputation as a skilled director, he seemed unable to bring the sense of fun, romance, and spiciness to his enterprise that Gordon was able to bring to "Move Over, Darling".The plot in a nutshell has Day lost at sea and returning home to find hubby Garner newly re-wed to Polly Bergen. Thelma Ritter, as Garner's mother, send Day off to stop the honeymoon.Condensing the plot hardly does justice to the dozens of individuals scenes and moments that establish the characters and their relationships with all the sparkle of a bottle of quality champagne.Doris Day is a delight in every scene, despite the sometimes annoying coiffures conjured up by George Masters and some continuity people who appear to have briefly dozed. One would have liked Sydney Guilaroff to design the hairstyles since he showed a wonderful knack with Day's hair in several films. Nevertheless, her chemistry with Garner is sparkling, and whether breaking your heart in scenes with their two young daughters or showing her ageless artistry as a flawless comic actress in scenes with Don Knotts, Chuck Connors or going through a car wash in a convertible, she proves that her ranking as Hollywood's "Queen of Comedy" was well deserved.James Garner's best comedic performances were in his two films with Doris Day. They have a natural ability to interact without the slightest affectation.Polly Bergen is fine as Garner's 2nd wife, Bianca, and Thelma Ritter is a scream as Garner's mother. Edgar Buchanan steals the scenes he is in and Chuck Connors make a manly and wrly amusing "Adam" to Day's "Eve". Don Knotts, John Astin and the rest of the cast play their roles to perfection.The film may seem somewhat tame in today's world of raunchy, sometimes tasteless comedies, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a more lovable, laughable reminder of a time when Hollywood made films to please vast audiences. "Move Over, Darling" fits that bill to perfection.

Good actors

Doris Day and Rock Hudson characters are hilarious. It's a must-see. I won't spoil it for you. Do you want a good laugh? Watch it!

I remember watching this movie as a child it was good back then and ever better now.... a true classic!

This reminds of when I was a kid going to see it at the pictures in Halifax. W. Yorks. I just love this film. Doris is at her best, with brilliant shared billing with James Garner. Shes been on a desert island, with everyone thinking shes been 'lost' at sea for years. James Garner decides to get married, to also provide a mother for his 2 children.Doris gets rescued from the island, along with a hunk stranded with her, and immediately seeks out her family. Only to find her 'husband' has just set off on his honeymoon.This starts off an hilarious plot to get him back and divorce his new 'wife'. Throughly recommend it , even if you're not a Doris fan. Besides the theme song, sung by Doris just makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.Go on escape the real world for and hour or 2.You won't regret it!

This film is one of my favourite Doris Day films - despite obvious wig continuity errors! - I find her chemistry with James Garner real and endearing and can easily watch it wice in a row!This DVD contains the film and a trailer. I have managed to find some behind the scenes stuff in other locations, like the fact that Doris broke some ribs when James lifts her up during her fight with 'Bianca'. Apparently he had no idea until that had to do a scene together where he has his arms round her and he felt the bandages - what a pro :)The film quality is pretty good and the sound is OK. I've waited a while to be able to get hold of this particular film so I'm glad it finally made an appearance.

A classic in every sense of the word - a real must for Doris day fans and anybody who likes a good evening's comedy film with no bad language to worry about and so suitable for most audiences plus a cracking title song thrown in as well - brilliant! - and yes, they don't make them anymore like this sadly. So buy, sit back and enjoy Doris and company at their best. 5 Stars easy

I love Doris Day and James Garner.... have forgotten how many times I have watched this movie and I still laugh

Bought this for my sister who is absolutely delighted with it, great price & delivery within timescale. Very happy to recommend this item & seller