THAT TOUCH OF MINK
US, 1962, 99 minutes, Colour.
Cary Grant, Doris Day, Gig Young, Audrey Meadows, Dick Sargent, John Astin.
Directed by Delbert Mann.
That Touch of Mink is a Doris Day- Cary Grant starring vehicle. It is firmly in the tradition of the Doris Day- Rock Hudson films (Pillow Talk, Lover Come Back). In fact, writer Stanley Shapiro was the author of Pillow Talk. Director Delbert Mann made Lover Come Back. Doris Day was to appear in this kind of film during the '60s with such leading men as James Garner, Rod Taylor, Richard Harris.
The film is a piece of frothy '60s colour comedy - a battle of the sexes. It is reminiscent of the frothy, black and white comedies, battles of the sexes of the '30s. Gig Young enjoys himself as the other man and there is a very amusing performance by Audrey Meadows as Doris's girlfriend. The film, made in Panavision, has all the lush Universal production values of the period. While very much of its time, nevertheless this comedy still has many amusing moments.
1. The title of the film - romance, Battle of the sexes? affluence? A 1960s frothy comedy?
2. The popularity of the Doris Day vehicles of the period? Now? Doris as the hard-working girl, beleaguered by the men, potentially compromised, winning out against all odds?
3. Production values: Panavision colour photography? Costumes and decor? Affluence? Romantic musical score? Comic touches?
4. Cathy Timberlake and her being splashed by the passing car, her exasperation, her talking with Connie, the diner?The encounter with Roger? her exasperation with Philip Shayne - but falling for Cary Grant's presence and style? Her discussing issues with him, giving him financial brainwaves? The trip to Baltimore, Philadelphia? Platonic friendship? His proposal to go to Bermuda? Her resistance? Her decision to go? Her coming out in spots? Her getting drunk, falling off the balcony? Philip's antagonism?Her plan to make him jealous- her contact with Beasley (and the comic encounter at the beginning), the planned elopement, the motel, the chase? Philip's rescue and marriage - and the irony of his spot at the end? Doris Day as the virginal American heroine? The businesslike background, determined woman, romantic? Comic touches?
5. Cary Grant's suave presence as Philip Shayne: splashing Cathy ,driving on, his change of heart, relationship with Roger, sending him to seek her out? The anger at Cathy? Her falling in love with him? Impressed by her business ideas? On the trip? His falling in love with her? Bermuda and her spots? His frustration with her? His rescuing her from Beasley? His own spots? The typical Cary Grant businessman?
6. Roger and his love-hate relationship with Philip? Doing his bidding? The money, wanting to get out, staying? Arranging things? Cynical comic touches? His encounters with Connie - and the humorous slapstick?
7. Connie and her work, the meals, her thinking Roger was Phiilp and her antagonism towards him? The comedy with the meals? Her wisecracking hard-hitting advice? best friend? The tradition of the American battle of the sexes?
8. Dr. Gruber and psychoanalysis, Roger, using him for financial deals, the satire on psychoanalysis and greed?
9. Beasley and his lecherous behaviour at the employment office? Cathy's return to him and his foolish believing her, the trip to the motel, his comeuppance?
10. The popular blend of mistaken identities? farcical situations, bedroom comedy - in the lush '60s style?
