Move Over, Darling (1963)

Director:

Michael Gordon

Writers:

Bella Spewack (1940 story "My Favorite Wife") and
Sam Spewack (1940 story "My Favorite Wife") ...

Release Date:

25 December 1963 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot:

Five years to the day after his wife Ellen disappeared in the sea after a plane crash, lawyer husband Nicholas has her declared legally dead...

Plot Keywords:

Love | Missing | Husband Wife Relationship | Remarriage | Male Female Relationship

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Doris Day	...	Ellen Wagstaff Arden
James Garner	...	Nicholas Arden
Polly Bergen	...	Bianca Steele
Thelma Ritter	...	Grace Arden
Fred Clark	...	Mr. Codd (hotel manager)
Don Knotts	...	Shoe clerk
Elliott Reid	...	Dr. Herman Schlick
Edgar Buchanan	...	Judge Bryson
John Astin	...	Clyde Prokey
Pat Harrington Jr.	...	District Attorney
Eddie Quillan	...	Bellboy
Max Showalter	...	Hotel desk clerk
Alvy Moore	...	Room service waiter
Pami Lee	...	Jenny Arden
Leslie Farrell	...	Didi Arden

Also Known As:

Something's Gotta Give (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

103 min | 99 min (FMC Library Print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:Approved

Filming Locations:

Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows - 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company:

Arcola Pictures

Trivia:

Doris Day proved what a trouper she truly was when James Garner accidentally broke her rib (during the massage scene, when he pulls her off of Polly Bergen). Garner wasn't even aware of what had happened until the next day, when he felt the bandage while putting his arms around her.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Ellen is in the hotel room with Nick, in mid-scene, her wig changes. Obviously, the scene was shot more than once with different hair and then spliced together.

Quotes:

Nicholas Arden: Are you out of your mind?
Grace Arden: Just a little. I can't quite seem to adjust; two daughters-in-law for only one son.
Nicholas Arden: Well, as long as you had only one, why'd it have to be me?

Movie Connections:

References My Favorite Wife (1940)

Soundtrack:

Twinkle Lullaby

Moderately enjoyable.

Although this glossy remake of the 1940 comedy "My Favorite Wife" did not turn into the funniest Doris Day vehicle, it does provide several highly amusing moments (Doris's posing as the Swedish nurse is priceless). There are a couple of scenes that could have done with some trimming (Day and Garner's scene in the hotel room and the opening courtroom sequence come to mind) but the film benefits from an excellent supporting cast, Thelma Ritter being the stand-out.