Complete credited cast: | |||
Clark Gable | ... | James Gannon | |
Doris Day | ... | Erica Stone | |
Gig Young | ... | Dr. Hugo Pine | |
Mamie Van Doren | ... | Peggy DeFore | |
Nick Adams | ... | Barney Kovac | |
Peter Baldwin | ... | Harold Miller | |
Marion Ross | ... | Katy Fuller | |
Charles Lane | ... | Roy | |
Jack Albertson | ... | Guide | |
Florenz Ames | ... | J.R. Ballantyne | |
Harry Antrim | ... | Lloyd Crowley | |
Vivian Nathan | ... | Edna Kovac |
James Gannon, the hardboiled city editor of a newspaper, believes that the only way to learn the business is by way of the School of Hard Knocks, and has a very low regard for college-taught journalism, so he's not pleased when his managing editor orders him to help Erica Stone, a college professor, with her journalism class. Finding himself attracted to her, he pretends to be a student in her class, not revealing he's Gannon, whom she despises. As they bob and weave around their mutual growing attraction, they both begin to gain respect for each other's approaches to reporting news, but how will Erica react when she finds out who he really is? Written by Ed Sutton <esutton@mindspring.com>
I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked this movie. I wasn't sure I would like Gable & Day together - that their age difference would be too awkward (she looked even younger than her 34 years and he was 58). But their chemistry worked. I like Doris much better when she isn't singing all the time - you get to really appreciate her acting skills!
I especially liked the smart dialogue in places. The ongoing debate of experience vs. education. I thought the analogy of the conductor was beautiful (see quotes page). Also, the comparison that "Experience is the jockey - Education is the horse." The screenwriters certainly deserved their Oscar nod for this gem!
I also was pleasantly surprised to see a young Marion Ross (Mrs. Cunningham on "Happy Days") in the role as Ms. Day's assistant.