Very, very few classic film stars still remain with us. With the passing of Doris Day in May, that number sadly becomes even more minuscule. So, today we remember wonderful Doris Day movies in tribute.
Doris Day began her career as a singer after a serious accident wrecked her dreams of dancing. She eventually transitioned into acting, appearing in numerous musical films. However, it’s her romantic comedies which continue to keep her popular with modern audiences.
In fact, arguably no one is more closely associated with the genre than Doris Day. In a brilliant run, she appeared in twelve romantic comedies in the space of ten years, cementing her status as queen of the genre.
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To honor the recently departed (and beloved) actress, we have made a list of these Doris Day movies, highlighting her comedic skills. Often she played career women and was utterly relatable as a woman balancing her work and home life.
Many times her characters found themselves in a battle of the sexes against a male culture still believing a woman’s place was in the home and subservient to men. And yet she countered all those silent expectations and cultural arguments by proving what women were capable of. I believe this is why her romantic comedies are not only still popular today, but also still relevant. So, check out these fantastic Doris Day movies below.
12 DORIS DAY MOVIES (ROMANTIC COMEDIES)
(listed in order of release date)
1. Teacher’s Pet (1958)
Synopsis: An experienced journalist with no formal education is forced to attend a college journalism class taught by a female professor. The two disagree on just about everything but are strangely attracted to one another. As they debate the ethics of their profession, they find they have much to learn from each other.
Why You Should Watch: This is the only film pairing Doris Day with Clark Gable. Remarkably it works, despite their obvious age difference. It’s interesting to watch the two have discussions about journalism with still relevant topics.
Where to Watch: Stream on Kanopy. Rent or buy on Amazon, Youtube, Google Play, iTunes, Redbox, and VUDU. Available on DVD.
2. It Happened to Jane (1959)
Synopsis: Day is a widowed lobster farmer whose business is almost ruined when the railroad fails to deliver her lobsters on time. When the railroad refuses to take responsibility, she takes them on in an epic David and Goliath public relations battle.
Why You Should Watch: Jack Lemmon and Doris Day display wonderful chemistry and it’s a shame they never starred together again. This has become one of my favorite of her films in recent years, thanks to its’ small town Americana feel, Day’s battle for what’s right, and a superb patriotic speech Lemmon gives during a town hall meeting.
Where to Watch: Stream on Amazon. Rent or buy on Youtube, Google Play, iTunes, and VUDU. Available on DVD.
3. Pillow Talk (1959)
Synopsis: A playboy and straight-laced career woman battle over their shared phone line. But when they finally meet in person, they see a new side of each other.
Why You Should Watch: Pillow Talk is perhaps the most famous of Day’s comedies and for good reason. Her onscreen verbal sparring with co-star Rock Hudson is perfect, the costumes are gorgeous, and the supporting cast including Thelma Ritter and Tony Randall are superb.
Where to Watch: Stream on Hoopla, Rent or buy on Youtube, Google Play, iTunes and VUDU. Available on DVD.
4. Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (1960)
Synopsis: When a drama critic and his wife move to the country, their marriage faces new challenges including time spent apart while he works in the city with a sexy co-worker.
Why You Should Watch: If you like cute domestic dramas, this one is a lot of fun, especially since it’s based on a best-selling autobiography. Not to mention it boasts a large list of popular classic film actors in supporting roles as well as David Niven’s particular brand of charm.
Where to Watch: Rent or buy on Youtube, Google Play, iTunes and VUDU. Available on DVD.
5. Lover Come Back (1961)
Synopsis: A female ad executive determines to best a male competitor who woos clients with women and liquor. In the process, she falls for his alter ego.
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Why You Should Watch: This one is just as funny as its’ predecessor (Pillow Talk). Once again, Doris Day and Rock Hudson display amazing chemistry. I find the fact that they are advertising for a product that doesn’t exist such a humorous gag.
Where to Watch: Rent or buy on Amazon, Youtube, Google Play, iTunes and VUDU. Available on DVD.
6. That Touch of Mink (1962)
Synopsis: A working-class girl attracts a wealthy businessman against his better judgment. She decides to hold out for marriage, while he is afraid to commit.
Why You Should Watch: This is Day’s only collaboration with Cary Grant who was brilliant in comedic roles, although he plays the straight man here. As much as I love Grant and Day, their romance is outshined by Gig Young’s hilarious performance as Grant’s assistant. Although Day has a hilarious drunken scene that is unforgettable.
Where to Watch: Stream on Kanopy. Rent or buy on Amazon, Youtube, Google Play, iTunes and VUDU. Available on DVD.
Photo Credit:Universal-International
7. The Thrill of it All (1963)
Synopsis: When a housewife takes a job as spokesmodel for a soap company, her working schedule throws her home life in disarray. It also puts her at odds with her doctor husband who prefers she remains at home with their children.
Why You Should Watch: James Garner is yummy in a role requiring him to be continually perplexed and disrupted. This film is also interesting in that it brings up the old debate about men and women’s careers and whose role is more important.
Where to Watch: Available on DVD.
8. Move Over, Darling (1963)
Synopsis: A wife reappears on her husband’s wedding day, after having been presumed dead for several years. Though clearly still in love with each other, neither is sure how to break the good news to their children or his new wife.
Why You Should Watch: James Garner and Doris Day are paired together again in this remake of the earlier film, My Favorite Wife starring the popular duo Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. Though it’s not quite as good as the first, it’s still very entertaining.
Where to Watch: Rent or buy on Youtube, Google Play, iTunes and VUDU. Available on DVD.
9. Send Me No Flowers (1964)
Synopsis: When a hypochondriac believes he is dying, he decides to hand pick his wife’s next husband. Meanwhile, his wife believes his suspicious behavior means he no longer loves her and has found another woman.
Why You Should Watch: This is the last of the Doris Day and Rock Hudson comedies also starring the hilarious Tony Randall. It is rather fun to see them on the other side of the romance equation playing a married couple. Though not quite as good as their first two comedies, their obvious connection still shines.
Where to Watch: Rent or buy on Youtube, Google Play, iTunes and VUDU. Available on DVD.
10. Do Not Disturb (1965)
Synopsis: After a young married couple moves to England, his busy career makes her suspect that he is cheating on her. In order to make him jealous, she decides to make him believe that she is having an affair.
Why You Should Watch: This one has a very similar plot to Please Don’t Eat the Daisies, only it’s set in England. Though not the best of Day’s comedies, it does pair her with one of my favorite of her co-stars in Rod Taylor.
Where to Watch: Rent or buy on Youtube, Google Play and VUDU. Available on DVD.
11. The Glass Bottom Boat (1966)
Synopsis: A woman attracts the attention of her boss, who is the owner of a research laboratory. Meanwhile, she also attracts the attention of his co-workers and the government who believe she may be a Russian spy trying to steal his latest high tech gadget.
Why You Should Watch: This is one of my personal favorite Doris Day movies. It has what I believe to be one of the best meet cutes ever seen onscreen. It also features a host of great comedians in supporting roles including Paul Lynde and Dom DeLuise. I love how it spoofs the idea of Russian spies after American intelligence as well as it’s perspective on what the future might look like.
There is one gadget that is remarkably similar to today’s Roomba. Plus, once again Doris Day gets to wear colorful and perfectly coordinated outfits. Not to mention her chemistry with second-time co-star Rod Taylor is fabulous.
Where to Watch: Rent or buy on Amazon, Youtube, Google Play and VUDU. Available on DVD.
12. With Six You Get Eggroll (1968)
Synopsis: When two widowers decide to marry, their children oppose the idea and make the blending of the two families rather difficult.
Why You Should Watch: This was the last of Day’s films, before moving to television and then retiring. Though it is a little tired, Day proves she still “has it.” It also gives a humorous look at the youth and hippie culture prevailing at that time.
Where to Watch: Available on DVD.
There is no one like Doris Day. She was truly one of a kind and will be missed. TCM will be honoring Doris Day airing a whole day of her films on June 9. Several of the films on this list will be shown, including Please Don’t Eat the Daisies, Pillow Talk, Lover Come Back, Move Over Darling and The Glass Bottom Boat.
Do you have any favorite Doris Day movies? Let me know in the comments!
Featured image: Pillow Talk. Photo – Arwin Productions/Universal-International
