The Tunnel of Love (1958)

A series of misunderstandings leaves a married man believing he has impregnated the owner of an adoption agency, and that she will be his and his wife's surrogate.

Director:

Gene Kelly

Writers:

Peter De Vries (novel), Joseph Fields (play)

Stars:

Doris Day, Richard Widmark, Gig Young

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Doris Day	...	Isolde Poole
Richard Widmark	...	August 'Augie' Poole
Gig Young	...	Dick Pepper
Gia Scala	...	Estelle Novick
Elisabeth Fraser	...	Alice Pepper
Elizabeth Wilson	...	Miss MacCracken
Vikki Dougan	...	Gladys Dunne, actress
Doodles Weaver	...	Escort
Charles Wagenheim	...	Day Motel Man
Robert B. Williams	...	Night Motel Man (as Robert Williams)
Esquire Trio	...	Themselves - Party Musicians (as The Esquire Trio)

Storyline

The Pooles are unable to have a baby after years of trying. They apply to the Rock-A-Bye Adoption Agency, and are assigned Miss Novick as an investigator. Through a farfetched mis-communication she gets a very bad impression of Augie Poole and indicates her report will be unfavorable. Through even more far-fetched circumstances, Augie is able to change Miss Novick's mind, and later comes to believe the baby she is carrying is his. Rock-A-Bye does find the Pooles a baby, and Augie is convinced it is Miss Novick's, and that he is the real father...so much so that his wife comes to believe it, too. She threatens to leave him, but all the misunderstandings are finally cleared up for a happy ending.

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Plot Keywords:

infidelity | comedy of errors | adoption agency | connecticut | pregnancy | 

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Taglines:

FROM THE BOLD BLUSHING STAGE HIT OF SEX IN THE SUBURBS! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Gene Kelly says that he accepted this assignment as a way of fulfilling the final obligation of his longterm contract with M-G-M, but studio executives stipulated he had to shoot it in black-and-white, using only one main set, with a production schedule of only three weeks, and with a strict budget of just $500,000. The studio was delighted when Kelly was able to honor all those provisos, but the film proved to be a box office disappointment.

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Goofs

In the scene when the women are on their bikes discussing the $1000 you can see leaves falling from the trees. However when the guys are inside, reference is made that the month is March.

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Quotes

August 'Augie' Poole: [Spotting Dick dancing with Gladys - a shapely young actress - at the party] I've seen that girl on television. She opens all those refrigerators.
Isolde Poole: [With a bit of sarcasm] She sure is defrosting tonight.

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Soundtracks

Jessica
(uncredited)
Music by Bruce Campbell
Josef Weinberger Music Ltd

User Reviews

Run away, skiddaddle, skidoo

Painful farce, adapted from Peter De Vries' novel which then became the kind of play dinner-theaters specialized in. It features Richard Widmark in a humiliating 'comedic' role as a man whose wife can't get pregnant, leading him into a drunken excursion with a sexy adoption agent, whom he later believes he has knocked up. Widmark is not suited to this material, which should be played nimbly and without force. Director Gene Kelly, of all people, is likewise not suited to guide an intense actor like Widmark through the rigors of light comedy (which can be more precarious than a gangster drama). Doris Day is the put-upon wife, and I felt for her. Even with a feeble script and dim handling, Day manages a ray of sunshine or two. Gig Young, in the patented Gig Young/friendly neighbor role, helps out a little bit, but "The Tunnel Of Love" is a frigid affair. *1/2 from ****

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 April 1959 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Babys auf Bestellung

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arwin Productions, Fields Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Perspecta Stereo 4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1