Joy in the Morning (1965) User Reviews

Fun for baby-boomers to reminisce

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 10 September 2009]

It's hard to sit down and enjoy 1965's "Joy in the Morning," a sentimental and melodramatic story about young marriage, without putting the film in context.

If you were a prepubescent girl or teen in the '60s, Richard Chamberlain was one of your dream men in the same way that girls adore Zac Efron now and my mother swooned over Tyrone Power. You had an intern shirt, you had the .45 of "Three Stars Will Shine Tonight" (The Theme from Dr. Kildare" with "Joy in the Morning" on the flip side), and you read fan magazines. And no one who watched "Dr. Kildare" can forget Yvette Mimieux's guest appearance on the show. I can still see her in the final scene of that episode.

So watching "Joy in the Morning," which might be considered a mawkish movie by some, is a trip down memory lane for us. It's about two young people from different social strata who get married and try to make it both financially and as a couple while the man is still in law school. It's actually a sweet story with some good performances - certainly an earnest one from Chamberlain, and from Oscar Homolka, Sidney Blackmer, and Donald Davis (as the "sissy" florist). Petite and beautiful Mimieux was one of the big '60s ingénues, and she does fine, though the character admittedly can get a little annoying. The Bernard Herrmann score, reminiscent of his music in "Vertigo," is instantly recognizable as Herrmann and very good.

Judging this film as if it's supposed to be "Citizen Kane" is like judging "High School Musical" on the same level as "No Country for Old Men." In its day, "Joy in the Morning," with Richard Chamberlain taking off his shirt, making out with Yvette Mimieux and talking about sex was geared toward young girls just learning the facts of life, and hoping that someone like Richard Chamberlain would teach them. Knowing the reality of that dashed hope today doesn't change the innocent memories that it brings back.

Surprisingly good

[jemdoll · 6/10 · 8 May 2004]

Under normal circumstances I love to hate movies like Joy in the Morning. I try to avoid watching romantic melodramas as much as the next well-adjusted person, but Joy in the Morning was surprisingly good. It's easy to sympathize with the young law student Carl Brown, whose parents turn into his worst nightmare after he marries a poor girl from Brooklyn named Annie McGairy. Carl's mother writes him a scathing letter and makes it clear that she thinks Annie is an opportunist and a gold-digger. Carl's villainous father actually shows up at the couple's home and after a shouting match with his son, withdraws all financial support. The couple's struggle to support themselves is austere and unsentimental. It's difficult to predict if they will stay together until the last ten minutes of the movie.

Richard Chamberlain is excellent as Carl Brown, but the movie belongs to the luminous Yvette Mimieux, who plays Annie McGairy. Though in the beginning of the movie Annie appears naïve and insipid, later on her earnest attempts at being a good wife are endearing because quite simply, Mimieux glows in front of the camera. Any other actress in the part of Annie would have been a disaster.

Americana on the eve of loosing it's innocence...

[nowlang · 7/10 · 21 September 2006]

"Joy in the Morning" is a touching and revealing movie about the way Americans liked or wished to project their culture. Consider going back to 1965, the "American Dream" is being shaken and eroded several times by movies such as Peyton Place (1957), Summer Place (1959), Splendor in the Grass (1961), The Chase (1965)... We are about to loose our innocence as reports of fighting in a still obscure country in South East Asia are growing the news headlines. Any movie has to be enjoyed or critiqued in the context/era/location it was produced. I grew up in those insecure days torn between the "good ol' American Boy image" and that of a "Beatnik". For those who do not know or remember, we were not supposed to have any sexuality then. Good girls (and most good guys) were marrying as virgins, that is until Dr Kinsey came out with his shocking ground-breaking study on Sexuality that proved otherwise. Television and movies were heavily censored, violence was many times more acceptable than nudity. Sexual desires/acts had to be "hinted to" or assumed by it's consequences (such as babies) on the big screen.

Joy in the Morning is a melodramatic depiction of a reality that is unfortunately "too real" and "too common" as I would find out in my later years. The themes depicted, the tragedies and the conflicts are ageless and would be retold successfully time over (The Graduate 1967, Love Story 1970...). Despite what powers to be want us to believe, love is ... "what makes the world go round" and the only reason we are on earth for besides survival. We (man/woman) could not live a fulfilling life if it was not for love regardless of who it is directed at (spouse, family, friends...). This is why this movie did hit a sensitive area in my heart. It is refreshing to look at what life was supposed to be then with good production values, excellent music score, and the hope that one day, I too will find the right person for me.

Overall, Joy in the Morning is a sweet and realistic story of the times to enjoy with your loved one on the couch, sipping a soda and eating popcorn, like the good old days...

True love is pure joy

[rprestia · 15 July 2004]

This story about young love is timeless. The acting is superb, the story is very touching and the characters are interesting. Happy endings are always sooo good. I love the fact that Carl sees the real Annie. The Annie behind the circumstances and experiences of her life. He sees the beautiful person that she is. Carl is brave and courageous in his love for her. She shows him that she is more than worthy of that love. The love scenes are beautifully done. Richard and Yvette have a strong screen chemistry. The cast of supporting characters are phenomenal. I think this generation should definitely see this movie. It is uplifting, riveting, with excellent values. Definitely in the genre as the more recent "A Walk To Remember".

Marry in haste, repent at leisure?

[JohnHowardReid · 7/10 · 4 November 2016]

Exquisitely photographed in delicate colors, both in the studio and on real locations, and supported by a lushly romantic music score by Bernard Herrmann, plus some very appropriate period sets and costumes, this minor Betty Smith romance (not a patch on "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn") comes across very effectively, despite the very moderate appeal of its cast. Admittedly, the Yvette Mimieux character is the main focus of attention and she does come across fairly effectively, but Richard Chamberlain often seems merely boorish and most definitely lacking the sort of charm that might appeal to a girl like Annie. The support players are likewise hampered by very one-dimensional writing. Director Alex Segal makes the most of his period set-pieces, but his handling of the dialogue scenes is no more than capably routine – and the movie is very dialogue bound. You would think it was based on a stage play, there are so many big speeches! But the music score and the lush photography make up for a lot. Admittedly, the screenplay writers know all about Judaism, but haven't a clue what Roman Catholicism is all about. The fact that the couple get re-married at the local Community Church would have been regarded by Rome as a far, far greater sin than the original offense of getting married at the Registry Office!

Who was prettier? Mimieux or Chamberlain?

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 6/10 · 6 February 2012]

Yvette Mimieux was beautiful. But just a bit odd. Or, was she just type cast as just a bit odd? In 1963 she costarred with Dean Martin, Geraldine Page, Wendy Hiller, and Gene Tierney in "Toys In The Attic", and she was certainly odd there. And here, we learn rather quickly, she is playing another very odd young lady. One whose stepfather leered at her. Maybe she played such odd roles too well for her own career's longevity.

Here, there is one person more beautiful than Mimieux...Richard Chamberlain, at this age, was almost too good looking! The problem with this film is that with this particular young couple, they are so ill-prepared for marriage. What a couple of juveniles. One minute they are squabbling, then lovey-dovey, then trying to be a bit intellectual...in a never ending cycle. As I sat watching, I though they were both bipolar (well, not really).

Arthur Kennedy is in this film, as Chamberlain's father. I don't think the role is well-conceived, but I do think he played it very well, and I say that as a non-fan.

I can't recommend this film very highly. It's "okay" for one viewing, if for no other reason than to see the young Richard Chamberlain. But it won't find a place on my DVD shelf.

Where's the Joy? More Like Mourning of A Hasty Marriage **

[edwagreen · 4/10 · 21 September 2009]

This awful film deals with the trials and tribulations of a young couple who decide to get married despite the disapproving attitude of their parents.

Richard Chamberlain is appealing as the young law student but Yvette Mimieux proves that she was no actress. She turns in a whining performance.

The real surprise here is Arthur Kennedy. As Chamberlain's father, he steadily holds on to his past traditions but never misses an opportunity to hurt his daughter-in-law.

As a married couple, their love making in the warehouse where Chamberlain works in the evening was an absolute enigma to me.

Everything is supposed to tie up nicely when Mrs. Brown (Yvette) becomes pregnant. The ending is that cheering on to a football team in that with the arrival of the baby, they shall persevere. The parents will accept the marriage, Karl (Richard) will graduate from law school and the three can drive away as Chamberlain sings Joy in the Morning to his baby son.

What hogwash!

it's not an easy life. so many challenges.

[ksf-2 · 6/10 · 17 July 2022]

Stars richard chamberlain, yvette mimieux, who also worked together in an episode of doctor kildare. This one is a period piece, in the 1920s. When the parents don't approve, carl and annie elope. But carl is still in college, so things won't be easy. Annie also has pcychological issues, resulting from an abusive relationship by her step father. Even the nosy neighbors try to come between them. So many challenges. A fun bit where the local grocer feeds (and handles) the squirrel population. Maybe i'm a worrier, but it seems like a good way to catch rabies or hantavirus. Or something. Much of the story is a downer. All that arguing. They use some rough terms to hint at a homosexual neighbor, but that was a sign of the times. Directed by alex segal. Novel by betty smith, who had several works turned into film. She also wrote a tree grows in brooklyn, which is also about bad family communication. Chamberlain is probably best known for the thornbirds mini series. He's currently still with us, but mimieux passed away in january 2022.

Richard Chamberlain to the rescue, almost

[Irie212 · 3/10 · 8 September 2009]

I've got nothing against Yvette Mimieux. I even enjoyed her in "The Time Machine." But in this movie, not only is her character poorly conceived and poorly written, her performance is all lip-biting and hair-tossing. Richard Chamberlain rises to heroic levels to deliver a believable performance as a law student who marries her and finds ways not to kill her or himself when her insecurity rises to hysteria. And let's not forget that she's also a moron. At one point says to her student hubby, "I just want to learn enough so I don't embarrass you."

I'm sure there are women like that, so why not have them as characters in movies? By all means, have them, but they shouldn't make the audience cringe every time they open their mouths. Mimieux character lacks all dignity.

There have always been nitwits of both sexes, of course, and there always will be. But there will also, always, be people with conviction, curiosity, brains, and character. So why feature a woman as insipid as the Hair-Tosser? This was 1965, after all-- fifteen years after "The Second Sex" was published, and two years after the "The Feminine Mystique," so there's no excuse (other than assuming American women would lap up this pablum) for such a lack of enlightenment.

Every scene is contrived, not to mention badly written and boringly filmed, but the best of a bad lot are those with no sign of the Hair-Tosser. Oscar Homolka chews up scenery with his usual entertaining bluster, and Chamberlain is positively marvelous in the thankless role of the student. Arthur Kennedy phones in his part (who can blame him?), but Sidney Blackmer seems to take it all in stride, though he's given little to do.

Would that he'd been given less to do. In fact, would that they had all been given nothing to do because a script reader at Warner Bros. had long ago buried the screenplay in the back-lot in Burbank and spared us all.

FINIAN'S RAINBOW fans are sure to love . . .

[pixrox1 · 6/10 · 19 March 2021]

. . . JOY IN THE MORNING. What the latter film lacks in magical racial transformations it more than makes up with bed-hopping bums, derogatory deans, disowning dads, seamy stepfathers, Bible-thumping florists, exhibitionist doctors, covert pregnancies, anonymous crank callers, barber shop massacres and rocking chair murders. As an added bonus, JOY IN THE MORNING's title song is a whole lot sappier than anything RAINBOW can offer. Plus, any woman who has suffered the Heartbreak of Frigidaire Syndrome is sure to empathize with Can't-Do Annie, and guys who base their amorous approach on the pile drivers seen at major construction sites may be in for an eye-opener.

OK To Kill Time

[chimark-1 · 1/10 · 1 November 2010]

The book was easily the weakest of the four novels, Betty Smith wrote. If you read the book you could see it was heavily edited. Smith said over 100 pages were taken out. This explains a lot of why the book plot jumps all over the place or the plot says things like "suddenly it was next summer." Smith writes good books but her stories are way too long and cover too much time to fit into a movie. So you wind up with horribly compressed messes that pale in comparison to the book.

The story was altered and the characters are presented in more or less a black and white sense than in the book where, as Smith does in all her novels, she is careful to show everyone is both bad and good

This movie was pretty bad, but if you want to kill some time, it won't make you sick :o)

A Joy to Watch

[Hollywoodcanteen1945 · 10/10 · 24 July 2005]

I saw this movie in 1965 when I was 7 years old with my dad at the Cameo Movie Theater on South Beach. I remember the beautiful theme song of this wonderfully romantic movie; "Joy....Joy...Joy in the Morning"...sent shivers down my spine. The cast is outstanding and Yvette Mimieux is beautiful. It is her finest role. Maybe some scenes are slightly out-dated in this day and age, and most likely younger film-goers might laugh slightly at some of the interactions, but the theme of falling-in-love is never out-dated.

Great acting. Great sound. Great scenery. Joy in the Morning is a timeless tale of young love. Excellent.

OMG

[peterri-17298 · 2/10 · 5 March 2021]

I read the book as a teenager in the 60's and thoroughly enjoyed it. There was a lot of insight into young love and adjustments made upon marriage. There was also immense struggle due to poverty and parental disapproval. In the book, Annie was charming, innocent, and immature, as was Carl, though he frequently exhibited male bluster and superiority to hide it. This wasn't Betty Smith's best book, but it evoked the reality of life as a very poor, young, newly married couple.

I actually just re-read the book last week, being in a nostalgic mood during this pandemic. Then tonite I find the movie on TCM and watch it with the book fresh on my mind. What a massive disappointment! It had so little of the book and changed characters and actions so much that it was almost unrecognizable as the same story. Unfortunately, this happens with most books made into movies, so I'm really not surprised.

Rather simply told love story that fans of the stars will adore.

[Poseidon-3 · 7 September 2005]

In between seasons of his wildly popular "Doctor Kildare" television series, Chamberlain was enlisted to film uplifting and romantic films such as this one. Here he plays a young, somewhat-well-to-do, law student who has fallen for a poor, but attractive and devoted girl (Mimieux.) Against their better judgement, they marry and return to his campus where they are met with skepticism from the dean (Blackmer) and outrage by his parents, who promptly cut off his funding. The couple struggles to make ends meet, all the while fighting their own insecurities regarding each other and the gossip-mongers of the small town who disapprove of Mimieux and a few of her acquaintances. Many touching, corny, amusing and melodramatic moments are woven through the story. Chamberlain fans are sure to be pleased by his youthful handsomeness (including a shirtless shower scene) and his generally appealing presence. Likewise, those who appreciate Mimieux's charms will be fully satisfied as she runs the gamut of emotions, while always displaying her significant physical attractiveness. Though the cast features several seasoned pros in supporting roles (who all do very fine jobs), this is primarily a two-character story, examining the roller-coaster relationship of these two lovers. Blackmer brings weight to his role of the dean, Kennedy is Chamberlain's controlling father and Gregg plays Mimieux's dignified, but poverty-stricken mother. Homolka and Tetzel (real-life spouses) play a wealthy man and his mistress who enter the young couple's lives. Probably the most awkward performance comes from Davis as gay florist. His role is tentatively written and he comes off rather oddly. Playing a role like this was often a career death-knell in the 60's and his career did indeed peter out soon after. One of the film's chief assets is a gorgeous score by the instantaneously recognizable Bernard Herrmann. It's reminiscent of "Vertigo", but not as dark. There is a title song that is beautifully rendered by a surprisingly able Chamberlain. Common at the time, but completely absent now, these baritone melodies that opened so many of the love stories of the 50's and 60's are always a treat to listen to. Period detail is marginal here. It's doubtful that any tenement inhabitant had hair like Mimieux, before or after she bobs it, and things look mighty bright and clean for it to be The Great Depression era. Perhaps black and white photography would have aided in this, though that would have robbed the viewer of some very attractive photography and settings, notably the couple's cottage in the woods. At times sentimental and at other times overwrought, it is nonetheless a charming and attractive film featuring two stars with the same qualities.

Divorce is not enough ... !

[samarobrin · 2/10 · 21 March 2021]

Stefan Molyneux once commented: "People say marriage is hard. Marriage is easy; dealing with irrational people is hard." This movie demonstrates it. The characters, shadowy distortions of Betty Smith's original imaginations, spend most of the movie arguing over unimportant issues that should have been discussed before the marriage. And no, a baby won't magically make everything all right.

Got My Wish!

[niki87 · 10/10 · 6 October 1999]

I tried to write a review from a long ago memory & a few hours later found that Joy in the Morning would be on TCM at 4:00 am Wed morning. Not only did I record the movie but I was too excited to sleep after waiting so many years to see it again. I watched it at 4:00 am & have already watched it again this morning. If you want to see Richard Chamberlain & Yvette Mimieux at their best, this is the movie to see. The bitter-sweet love story & struggle of two young people starting their life together is beautifully written and if this isn't enough, just hearing Richard sing the title song is enough to make you want to watch it over & over.

Want to see it again

[niki87 · 10/10 · 4 October 1999]

This was one of my favorite movies & I'd like to see it again. Every week I search TV guides & try to find a copy it but it seems to have disappeared. The young couple's struggle to build a life while he was in college & Annie trying so hard to be all that she felt he deserved could very easily be a modern situation. 1965 was a good year & movies made during that time give us a little insight in case we've forgotten.

A Film That Stays With You-

[filmloverlady · 10/10 · 2 February 2006]

I remember seeing this movie on TV, probably the 4:30 Movie or The Million Dollar Movie. Being a pre-teen when I saw it for the first time, I was enthralled with the gentle love story. Richard Chamberlain was the most handsome man I had ever seen and I was in love the minute I saw him in this film. Betty Smith has been one of my favorite authors and this film and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn are on the top of my list of my all time best loved films. I had not seen this film since the early 70's, but it always stayed with me. Whenever I would talk to another 'film lover' this film was always mentioned. I am glad that TCM has shown it a few times over the year, and a friend taped it for me. I watch it whenever I want to be transported back to a gentler time and place. I feel like a teen-ager when I watch it. Just the BEST!!!

Richard Chamberlain and Yvette Mimieux MGM Stars Shine in this Lovely Movie

[adventure-21903 · 10/10 · 16 May 2020]

MGM once the greatest film studio with a huge backlot groomed many stars over the years: Garbo, Gable, Shearer, Tracy, Harlow, Turner, etc and in the 1960's still had a contract star list: George Peppard, Paula Prentiss, Jim Hutton, George Hamilton and the two stars of Joy In The Morning: Beautiful Yvette Mimieux and the biggest star on the lot at that time Richard Chamberlain.

Chamberlain and Mimieux had a 2 part Dr Kildare which was an MGM TV show and. Decided to cast these two very attractive stars in a beautiful soap opera Joy In The Morning. This film is wonderfully produced and was filmed mostly on the MGM backlot and Chamberlin sings the title song Joy In The Morning.

I liked this film and recommend it to anyone wanting to relax on a Saturday afternoon.

PS. There were stories that MGM was trying to cast Chamberlain and Paula Prentiss in a romantic comedy. I wish they had succeeded Actually, MGM had in addition ro Mimieux and Chamberlain, George Peppard, Paula Prentiss, George Hamilton, Linda Evans and Chad Everett. MGM should have cast them in one movie; would have been special instead Peppard went to Paramount for Breakfast At Tiffsny'd The Carpetbaggers, and to Columbia for The Victors. Prentiss went to Universal for Man's Favorite Sport, UA for The World Of Henry Orient, and What's New Pussycat and toParamount for In Harm's Way, Mimieux went to UA for Toys In there Attic and to Columbia for Diamond Head. MGM TV had James Fransiscus.

This was worth running home to see!!

[BriarDanny · 8/10 · 5 October 2004]

When I was a kid I'd rush home from school to watch the daily afternoon movie that came on at 4 pm. I'd been hooked on watching old movies quite some time by then!! This is one that I think about often but haven't seen since. My fuzzy brain cells can't remember but a few words of the theme song. I remember Richard's character singing it to Yvette's character. Anytime there is a beautiful morning, the melody of that song comes to mind, then what little bit I remember about the movie comes back also. I would really like to see it again and put all the bits and pieces together. I'm sure it's as good as I remember it being. It couldn't have hung into my swiss cheese memory if it wasn't a really good movie. Joy in the morning is about a guy in college and very much in love with a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. My grandmother had the Joy in the Morning bible verse in a cross stitched picture framed on her wall. I never quite got the connection between the verse and the movie plot but whenever I would happen to read it, I'd remember the movie. Funny way to learn bible passages, eh??

MGM Stars Chamberlain and Mimieux

[arsportsltd · 9/10 · 25 March 2013]

Richard Chamberlain was an MGM star of MGM's Dr. Kildare TV series. Every spring when the TV hit went on hiatus MGM starred its big star in a theatrical movie. A Thunder of Drums with George Hamilton and Luana Patten ( both MGM stars) and then onto Twilight of Honor with the estimable Claude Rains, and finally Joy In The Morning with its radiant and lovely star Yvette Mimieux in this hit movie.

Chamberlain and Mimieux had starred in a 2 part Dr.Kildare called Tyger Tyger and was so well received the studio assigned them both to Joy In The Morning to cash in on the popularity. Allegedly Chamberlain and Mimieux were not as close off the set as they appeared in this movie. Chamberlain during the run of Kildate the legend goes got more fan mail per week than Clark Gable then the King Of The Movies.

Joy In The Morning filmed mostly on the now gone MGM backlot is a good movie with Chamberlain exuding the acting skills he would be later in his career be recognized.

Surprisingly BAD

[Ripshin · 8 September 2005]

While Herrmann's musical score is a pleasure, as always, the film itself is a claptrap of soap opera clichés, and melodramatic scene-chewing performances. Mimieux screeches her way through the script, and Chamberlain comes across as an absolute jerk.

The adjacent fawning posts really puzzle me.

Being that this was released in 1965, I am somewhat surprised that the homosexuality of one character (the flower shop owner) is tiptoed around so blatantly - well, they did use the phrase "sissy" several times. Actually, he is the most developed character in the film, and his life would have made a much more interesting plot.

The back lot filming is obvious and uninvolving.

The two leads spend an awfully large amount of time in childish tirades. That so many viewers would see this as representative of true love, is somewhat disturbing.

Again, great score..........little else.

Great love story

[n-clyde · 10/10 · 5 July 2022]

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It is a true love story as in real life. We all live through hard times. True love wins here due to the chemistry between Chamberlain and Mimieux. Is was great in 1965 and wonderful today. But for one thing they would been a great Hollywood couple for decades. Was it. All acting? I have my doubts then and now.

Two reasons to enjoy this -- Mimieux and Chamberlain.

[TxMike · 23 October 2006]

Anyone reading my comments must first understand that I grew up in the 1960s, when Richard Chamberlain was wildly popular in his TV series 'Doctor Kildaire', and Yvette Mimieux ('Time Machine') was one of this terminally cute young actresses. Still, I only saw this movie recently on TV. To me I can only recommend it for those who are fans of Chamberlain, Mimieux, or both.

There is nothing novel about the story. Richard Chamberlain is Carl Brown, treasured son and talented enough to be attending a prestigious school, studying law. All is well until he meets Annie (Yvette Mimieux ). They fall in love. They get married, all without the blessing of traditional Irish parents. Carl's dad is played by Arthur Kennedy. But they appear to be in love. Following a familiar story line Carl's parents all but dis-own him, refuse to pay any more of his college expenses, he and Annie have it hard, it puts a strain on their relationship. But, in the end all is reconciled.