Move Over

After the harsh Cold War drama of my last newsletter, here is a look at a silly, sweet rom-com of the early 60s. A film starring James Garner and Doris Day that is a warm reminder of the 50’s aesthetic of chaste romance and screwball comedy. A fun romp that you might have missed!

There is a place in my heart for silly romantic comedies. This one is a remake of the classic Cary Grant and Irene Dunne film 'My Favorite Wife'. The original is fun, but this is one instance where I find a remake more satisfying than the original. With 1963’s ‘Move Over, Darling’ director Michael Gordon teams Garner and Day with an outstanding supporting cast to make rom-com magic.

Doris Day stars as a woman who has been stranded on a deserted island for five years. So that he may remarry, her husband, played by the great James Garner, has her declared legally dead. Seconds later he says “I do” and heads off on his honeymoon. Concurrently Doris Day has been rescued and returns home on the day of his wedding. This leads to a complex storyline as each of the parties attempts to get their own way. Polly Bergen is fantastic as Garner's new bride while Chuck Connors portrays 'Adam'. Adam was the only other person on the island with Doris Day for those five lonely years. How did Doris Day and Chuck Connors spend 5 years on an island alone? What did they do all day? And can Garner extricate himself from his new bride to return to his first love? As we know all along, Garner and Day still love each other and belong together, but obstacles abound.

As I have admitted previously, I am in a “bromance” with James Garner. He is able to carry a movie no matter the plot or script. Great smile, charisma to spare and an ability to draw in the viewers. He makes any movie worth seeing. However, in ‘ Move Over, Darling’ there is more than just Garner. Day plays her usual chaste self with aplomb. The supporting cast here is strong. Along with Bergen and Connors, the always wonderful Thelma Ritter plays Garner's Mom while Don Knotts is corralled into being a stand-in for 'Adam' that Doris Day hires to help with Garner's jealousy. Also, look for John Astin (Adams Family), Pat Harrington Jr. (One Day at a Time), Fred Clark, Edgar Buchanan and Elliot Reed in supporting roles.

This remake was originally intended to star Dean Martin and Marilyn Monroe. I believe that Ms. Monroe is underappreciated for her comedic talents, but the casting of Day and Garner makes this movie fun fun fun. Next time you're in the mood for a flashback to the "chaste" 50s, pick up this film! ‘Move Over, Darling’ may have been made in the 1960s, but it definitely has the feel of the 1950s. I guess, at least sometimes, I am just an old softy.

Side notes: This film is credited with saving, at least for the moment, the fortunes of 20th Century Fox. It was a big box office hit for the studio. Fox was facing bankruptcy after the expensive failure of ‘Cleopatra’. For those of you with musical inclinations, listen for the fantastic Darlene Love backing Day during the title track. No streaming service currently offers ‘Move Over, Darling’. It is available for rent/purchase at all the usual places. During filming Garner accidentally cracked two of Day’s ribs. Being the consummate professional, Day never stepped out of character. No one on set even knew she was hurt until the following day. Filming continued on schedule. Doris Day wouldn’t have it any other way.