Move Over, Darling (1963)

After having been lost at sea for several years, a missing wife thought long dead returns just after her husband has remarried.

Director:

Michael Gordon

Writers:

Hal Kanter (screenplay), Jack Sher (screenplay)

Stars:

Doris Day, James Garner, Polly Bergen

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Doris Day	...	Ellen Wagstaff Arden
James Garner	...	Nicholas Arden
Polly Bergen	...	Bianca Steele Arden
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

Storyline

A remake of My Favourite Wife, originally begin filming with Marilyn Monroe as Something's Got To Give. After having not found his wife, Ellen, 7 years after a plane crash, lawyer, Nick Arden has Ellen declared legally dead; and also marries Bianca Steele. But Ellen is alive.

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Plot Keywords:

stranded | slapstick comedy | presumed dead | remake | woman | 

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Taglines:

She's married to him...he's married to her...and...it's...sheer...bedlam...from...morning...'til night!

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Released in December, 1963, the movie makes a timely reference to a major historical event. When Doris Day is shown being rescued by the US Navy, an officer says that it was "the greatest Navy rescue since Gordon Cooper." This refers to the navy pickup at sea of astronaut Gordon Cooper returning from the sixth and last Mercury manned space mission on May 17, 1963.

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Goofs

When Ellen wants to phone the house, the operator gives her the number. Later, Bianca gives her psychiatrist a different number.

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Quotes

Judge Bryson: [to Nick] You mean your own mother charged you with bigamy?
Grace Arden: I certainly did.
Judge Bryson: I hope you remember this on Mother's Day.

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Connections

Referenced in Marilyn: Something's Got to Give (1990)

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Soundtracks

Bridal Chorus (Here Comes The Bride)
(1850) (uncredited)
from "Lohengrin"
Music by Richard Wagner
Played as part of the score when James Garner and Polly Bergen arrive at the hotel

User Reviews

Plush, burlesque comedy

While on his honeymoon with a lusty, neurotic bride, widower James Garner discovers the hard way that first wife Doris Day is still very much alive. Enjoyable bedroom-farce, a remake of Cary Grant and Irene Dunne's "My Favorite Wife", has a colorful supporting cast, cute kids, a fine score by Lionel Newman and, of course, Day herself, shining brightly while going from happy to sad to frantic to sentimental. Despite some forced bits (shouting from Garner and the tired jokes with the irritated judge), it's a happily brawling slapstick comedy. I loved the scene where Doris, dressed like a sailor, sees her two daughters for the first time in years ("Are you a lady or a man?" they ask her) or when she sings them to sleep and one of the girls recognizes the song, but overcome by memories says she doesn't like it. Doris gives Polly Bergen the massage of her life, trades dry quips with Thelma Ritter, flirts with Don Knotts, and gives Chuck Conners a series of karate moves that leaves him floored. It's a comedic tour-de-force for the actress. *** from ****

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

25 December 1963 (USA)

Also Known As:

Something's Gotta Give

Filming Locations:

California Highway 1, Mugu Rock, Ventura County, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,350,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Melcher-Arcola Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min 99 min (FMC Library Print)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Color by Deluxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1