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Disappointing Doris Day film...

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November 28, 2024, 05:54 PM
Sacramento Johnson
Disappointing Doris Day film...
Watched "Midnight Lace" yesterday with her and Rex Harrison; had never seen it before. Provocative title but what it really portended was an late '50s- early '60s fashion show by costume designer Irene, alas.

I was hopping for something along the lines of "The Man who Knew too Much" version #2 by Hitchcock (which isn't a favorite of mine, but atleast a fairly well done thriller).
"Midnight Lace" really needed a tighter script and Hitch's touches. Day had too much screaming and crying in a blithering pile; I kept wanting her to get a back bone and pick up a fire iron and atleast make an effort to save herself. Harrison was his typical suave, sophisticated and slightly cool self; atleast his hair was well done and his custom fitted suits looked really fine. He basically phoned this role in...

Maybe I'll put on "Love Me or Leave Me', a much better Day film with James Cagney playing well with/off her. I read somewhere he was very gentle with her in reality, unlike his onscreen character and both rank that film high among their output.