Lover Come Back (1961)

A series of misunderstandings leaves an advertising executive with a campaign for a product which has not been invented yet while he romances his rival in the guise of its inventor.

Director:

Delbert Mann

Writers:

Stanley Shapiro, Paul Henning

Stars:

Rock Hudson, Doris Day, Tony Randall

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Rock Hudson	...	Jerry Webster
Doris Day	...	Carol Templeton
Tony Randall	...	Peter 'Pete' Ramsey
Edie Adams	...	Rebel Davis
Jack Oakie	...	J. Paxton Miller
Jack Kruschen	...	Doctor Linus Tyler
Ann B. Davis	...	Millie, Carol's Secretary
Howard St. John	...	Mr. John Brackett
Joe Flynn	...	Hadley
Jack Albertson	...	Fred
Charles Watts	...	Charlie
Ward Ramsey	...	Hodges, Liquor Industry Representative
Karen Norris	...	Kelly, Jerry's Secretary
Donna Douglas	...	Deborah, Peter's Secretary

Storyline

Jerry Webster and Carol Templeton are both in the advertising business, but for different agencies. Annoyed by Jerry's methods of using alcohol and women to ensure contracts for his agency, Carol tries to get him thrown out of his profession. To avoid this Jerry bribes the girl who'd testify against him, by starring her in a TV commercial for a product named VIP that he's just made up. By accident these commercials are broadcasted and to keep his job, Jerry has to come up with VIP for which he enlists the help of Doctor Linus Tyler. Carol goes to see the Doctor to try and get the VIP account, but because she and Jerry have never met, she mistakes Jerry for the Doctor. Jerry then takes advantage of this situation to win her.

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Plot Keywords:

advertising | scientist | nobel prize | television commercial | song during opening credits | 

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Taglines:

A riotous new twist in the art of gentle persuasion!

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 March 1962 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ein Pyjama für zwei

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI), 7 Pictures, Nob Hill Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jack Oakie's final movie appearance.

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Goofs

When Carol goes through "Linus's" wallet and discovers he is actually Jerry Webster, she is holding a blue nightgown. When she turns around to march into his room, the nightgown disappears.

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Quotes

Carol Templeton: Mmm. This isn't bad, either. But what color's that floor?
Leonard: Lilac.
Carol Templeton: Lilac? Leonard, who has a lilac floor in their kitchen?
Leonard: I have.
Carol Templeton: Oh. Well, Leonard, everyone isn't as artistic as you are. We have to sell this wax to ordinary, everyday people.
Leonard: Oh, them.

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Connections

Featured in Rock Hudson: Dark and Handsome Stranger (2010)

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Soundtracks

"Lover Come Back"
(uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Frank De Vol and Alan Spilton
Sung by Doris Day during the opening credits

User Reviews

"Miss Templeton, I'm Taking You In!"

In New York's Fifth Avenue 'hive' of advertising agencies, the executives are either 'workers' or 'drones'. The former are industrious and diligent (and female), and the latter (the men) get by on wining and dining their clients. Carol Templeton is very much a worker, and she resents losing an account to Jerry Webster, the drone of all drones. One of Jerry's schemes (should that be 'scams'?) is the invention of "Vip", a non-existent commodity. He markets the new product so successfully that Vip becomes an overnight sensation. Throw in a severe case of mistaken identity, a nutty professor and a bungled seduction, and you have all the ingredients for a pleasant and well-constructed romantic comedy.

This was the second of the three Day-Hudson movies, and probably the best. Tony Randall is consistently funny as Peter Ramsey, the ineffectual company boss. Day does the humour very well, even if the main part of her duties is to pull a series of exasperated faces. There's a good split-screen graphic and a funny moose joke. Rock's woollen suit is amusing, and I liked the witty conclusion to the aquarium scene. Just one thought - why is Doris's hair so resiliently bouffant immediately after she steps out of the sea?

Everybody knows now that Rock Hudson was gay, but it goes without saying that this was far from universally acknowledged back in 1961. Is it my imagination, or does the film contain a vein of subtle "Rock-is-one-of-those" drollery? He makes a tongue in cheek speech to Doris, telling her that he can never be a real man to her. When the effeminate co-worker informs Doris that he has a lilac carpet in his apartment, she does a highly significant double-take. Rock keeps saying things like "I am not undersexed!" He tells Doris that he's taking her in - is he doing the same to the movie audience?

Finally, given that no lovers part, and indeed there ARE no lovers in the entire film, one wonders about the choice of title ...