Lover Come Back is a 1961 Eastmancolor romantic comedy released by Universal Pictures and directed by Delbert Mann. The film stars Doris Day and Rock Hudson in their second film together. The supporting cast includes Tony Randall, Edie Adams, Ann B. Davis, and Donna Douglas.
The story is similar to the earlier Hudson-Day Pillow Talk (1959), revolving around mistaken identity. Although not as well known as Pillow Talk, the script by Stanley Shapiro and Paul Henning earned an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay.
Plot
In a New York advertising agency, Jerry Webster (Rock Hudson), a Madison Avenue ad executive, has achieved success not through hard work or intelligence but by wining and dining his clients, even setting them up on dates with attractive girls.
Jerry's equal and sworn enemy at a rival agency is Carol Templeton (Doris Day). Although she has never met him, Carol is disgusted by Jerry's unethical tactics and reports him to the Ad Council. Jerry avoids trouble with his usual aplomb, sending a comely chorus girl, Rebel Davis (Edie Adams), to seduce the council members.
Jerry then promises Rebel a spot in commercials, so he shoots some featuring her for “VIP,†a non-existent product. The commercials accidentally are broadcast on TV, thanks to the perplexed company president, Pete Ramsey (Tony Randall).
Jerry needs to come up with a product quickly. He bribes a chemist, Dr. Linus Tyler (Jack Kruschen), to come up with a “VIP†that could be marketed. Jerry pretends to be the inventor to Carol, while she is attempting to steal the account from him by wining, dining, golfing, and frolicking at the beach with him.
Carol learns the truth. Appalled, she once more reports him to the Advertising Council, this time for promoting a product that does not exist. Jerry, however, arrives at the hearing with VIP, a mint-flavored candy Dr. Tyler has created. He provides a free sample to everyone there, including Carol.
“VIP†turns out to be an intoxicating candy, one serving having the same effect as a triple martini. Its extreme effects lead to a one-night stand between Carol (who has a low tolerance for alcohol) and her bitter rival, Jerry, complete with marriage license.
Carol has the marriage annulled, but Jerry convinces the liquor industry to give Carol a quarter of its advertising in return for pulling VIP off the market and burning the formula. Jerry leaves New York to work in the company's California branch â€" only to be called back nine months later to remarry Carol in a hospital maternity ward, just before she gives birth to their child.
Cast
- Rock Hudson as Jerry Webster
- Doris Day as Carol Templeton
- Tony Randall as Peter 'Pete' Ramsey
- Edie Adams as Rebel Davis
- Jack Oakie as J. Paxton Miller
- Jack Kruschen as Doctor Linus Tyler
- Ann B. Davis as Millie, Carol's Secretary
- Joe Flynn as Hadley
- Howard St. John as Mr. John Brackett
- Karen Norris as Kelly, Jerry's Secretary
- Jack Albertson as Fred
- Charles Watts as Charlie
- Donna Douglas Deborah, Peter's Secretary
- Ward Ramsey as Hodges
- John Litel as Board member
Songs
Although not a musical, the film contains two songs sung by Day: "Lover Come Back" during the opening credits, and "Should I Surrender" as she contemplates what to do with her feelings for Jerry.
Awards
- Best Original Screenplay Academy Award (Stanley Shapiro, Paul Henning) - nominated
- Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe (Tony Randall) - nominated
- Best Comedy Picture, Laurel Awards - winner
- Best Comedy Actress, Laurel Awards (Doris Day) - winner
- Best Comedy Actor, Laurel Awards (Rock Hudson) - nominated
- Best Comedy Actor, Laurel Awards (Tony Randall) - nominated
- Best Comedy Actress, Laurel Awards (Edie Adams) - nominated
Notes
- Jack Okie's final film
- The original ending had Carol and Jerry getting drunk on VIP and checking into a hotel. Doris Day insisted the concluding events be rewritten, having Carol and Jerry get married in their drunken state before going to bed.
References
External links
- Lover Come Back at the Internet Movie Database
- Lover Come Back at AllMovie
- Lover Come Back at the TCM Movie Database