Do Not Disturb (1965)

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

I am a big doris fan, but the disappointment for me started with the clutzy and mindlessly simple intro song, followed by a poor opening scene concerning learning how to calculate a taxi fee in British sterling...the movie really never does get off the ground, and just becomes an endless stringing together of one boring scene after another...the scene with the fox was amusing, and Doris's figure in the shimmering gown during the party scene was nice, but pretty much everything else left me cold and wishing I was watching pillow talk instead....worth watching, but only once, that is if you can stay awake.

We think Doris Day's films are generally excellent and having watched a number from a boxed set recently ( Pillow Talk, The Thrill of it all, etc) this one is comparatively a disappointment BUT it's not Doris's fault....the film is about 30 minutes too long, the script isn't sharp enough and Rod Taylor shouts all the time and comes across as completely obnoxious to the point where you think she would be better off without him - not exactly the point for a Rom-Com? -Oh and as a Brit I have to say that some of the British characters accents are nearly as bad as Dick Van Dyke in Mary Popping. However! DD performs valiantly, she looks great, especially when you realise she was 43 when she made this, her comic timing is excellent and in her scenes she either exudes charm naturally or is good enough as an actress to look like she exudes charm, I prefer to believe the former. Watch this if you're in an undemanding mood, but if you have the choice watch one of her earlier ones instead.

OK, so it's not unreasonable to enter into a Doris Day romantic comedy expecting undemanding froth and a little sexiness. With that, Do Not Disturb delivers on that expectation. Day's line in this type of film caters for like minded people knowing exactly what they want from a Sunday morning time filler. The trouble is, is that where's the cut off point to say no more please? This film is arguably the one where Day fans {and I count myself among them} finally realised the formula had run its course. Yes the enjoyable fluff that was The Glass Bottom Boat would follow a year later, but that too has a familiarity, that whilst not breeding contempt, certainly felt like being stuck on a carousel.The plot here is naturally simple, but sadly so is Richard L. Breen's screenplay {adapting from William Fairchild's play}. Thankfully Day at least manages to make the thread bare script work to a degree, and although no Rock Hudson, Rod Taylor does make for an appealing foil to Day's sexy effervescent efforts. Hermione Baddeley shines brightest out of the supporting cast and the funky opening credits are accompanied by Day's delightful rendition of the title tune. Enter with caution then, for even the hardiest of Doris Day fans must know this is but a time filler in all but name. 5/10

Doris Day is a ray of sunshine in most of her films, and Do Not Disturb is no exception. She is perfectly cast as the neglected wife, isolated and bored in Kent, England. Day's character (Janet Harper)has a husband who is not playing his part in the marriage, and takes her for granted. What she needs is an interest which takes her outside of the marriage and the idea of the good, dutiful wife.Day's comic timing is so masterful that it reinvigorates the otherwise tired clichéd, and stereotyped gags. Ironically Day deconstructs our stereotypical perspective of Hollywood glamour by not taking herself too seriously and as such taking a swipe at the movie star image. Very clever and well accomplished albeit in an inadvertent way.If you are a fan of Day, then this film is a must see, but it's also great if you just want a carefree chuckle.