That Touch of Mink (1962)

SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Beautiful, moving film.

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Doris Day and Cary Grant were my parents favorites as well as mine. To see That Touch Of Mink in 2018 is a bit of a cringing exercise. Two mega stars in their, let's say, mature years, specially Grant, behaving like adolescents it's a bit hard to take. Doris's character shares an apartment with Audrey Meadows - who I believe also needs some professional attention - they sleep in little twin beds. So bizarre to see. But and here is were the Doris Day mystery resides. I believed her unbelievable character, one hundred per cent. Doris Day was 39, Cary Grant 58 but everything I saw in Doris Days was true. That's why, I presume, this is a favorite comedy of the Coen brothers. My niece, who is 15, saw the film with me and her comment was that Cary Grant's and Gig Young's characters should be arrested. Yes, 2018 is not 1962 and films are socio-historical documents.

Delbert Mann, director of classic masterpieces Separate Tables, Dear Heart, and Desire Under the Elms was saddled with two silly Doris Day movies in the 1960s: Lover Come Back and That Touch of Mink. He wasn't by any means lousy when directing comedy, but his talents were wasted with the silly fluff pieces.Doris Day is paired with the debonair Cary Grant in this movie, and their differences are only magnified by the film. He's extremely classy yet direct; she's common and frazzled. When paired with other costars, like James Stewart and Clark Gable, Doris comes across as classy, but up against Cary Grant, she doesn't stand a chance. Since I wasn't able to see why he was interested in her, I wasn't really able to root for the romance. Another problem with this dated flick are the so-called scandalous jokes about premarital sex and feminine honor. By that point in her career, audiences expected Doris Day to act like a prim prude, but the movie just doesn't stand the test of time very well. It's supposed to be insulting for Cary Grant to give Doris an indecent proposal, and the mere thought of spending the night in a hotel with a man fills her with anxiety. Attitudes have changed for most people today, so unless you are looking for amusement in a cultural history book, you probably won't really like this movie.

Cathy Timberlake (Doris Day) lives in Manhattan and is looking for a job. Its been some weeks. One day, as she is going to an interview, a limo passes her closely, splashing her clothes with puddle water. The driver doesn't stop. Aghast, Cathy goes to the Automat, where her roommate Connie (Audrey Meadows) often slips her free lunch items. Meanwhile, the limo has circled the block looking for a wet damsel but finding none. The extremely wealthy businessman, Philip (Cary Grant) who was sitting in the back seat, feels guilty about the incident. But, since no gal is in sight, he goes to the office nearby. There, his erstwhile assistant, Roger (Gig Young) makes his usual complaint of how Philip lured him away from an academic job by flashing big bucks. Now, looking out the window, Philip sees the muddied Cathy go into the Automat and begs Roger to go find her with offers of dry cleaning. Thus, before Cathy can take one bite of lunch, Roger explains his mission and Cathy says she wants to throw this offer right in Philip's face. Gleeful Roger takes her to his boss' office. What he doesn't count on is that single, attractive Cathy takes one look at Philip and falls in love. Philip is attracted to Cathy, too. Soon Cathy's clothes are being cleaned in the office building's facility and the lovestruck duo are conversing and flirting. They begin "stepping out" together. But, while Cathy is dreaming of marriage, Philip, man of the world, is just looking for romance. So, when Philip suggests a Bermuda vacation for the twosome, without a ring, what will Cathy do? Her only other suitor at the moment is unemployment office worker Mr. Beaaley (John Astin), who gives her the creeps. In his turn, Roger reports the whole affair to his shrink! What doings in the Big Apple! This lovely, funny, vastly entertaining film should be seen by ALL folks across the world. Day has never been better and as one of Grant's last films, it is a flick to savor. Meadows, Astin, Young, and all of the rest are terrific as well. The title is a metaphor for the wealthy's idea of throwing money around and, as Cathy is just a working gal from Upper Sandusky, Ohio, it is a clash of the classes romance! This is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago. The costumes, naturally, are absolutely wonderful, while the sets, fantastic script and polished direction make for a not-to-be-missed movie. Get in the Mink and the Pink with a viewing. No one WILL EVER BE SORRY they sat down to watch this one.

Cathy Timberlake, a country girl looking for a job and Philip Shayne, a rich businessman meet in New York City after his Rolls Royce splashes her with mud.They fall for each other, but the only problem is she wants to get married and he has no interest in such a thing.That Touch of Mink (1962) is directed by Delbert Mann.The leading couple is something grand, for we have Doris Day and Cary Grant.They share some chemistry together.Gig Young does great job as Roger.Audrey Meadows is terrific as Connie Emerson.Alan Hewitt is great as Dr. Gruber.John Astin is quite hilarious as Mr. Everett Beasley.Portraying themselves are Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Yogi Berra.The movie has some fun moments.One of them is when Cathy is waiting for Philip in the hotel room and gets drunk.And the phone call for Beasley makes you chuckle.Roger's visit at the shrink is quite funny.This isn't a classic of romantic comedies, but Cary Grant and Doris Day make it work.