Move Over, Darling

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Cast & Crew

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

Michael Gordon
Director

Martin Melcher
Producer

Aaron Rosenberg
Producer

Daniel L. Fapp
Cinematographer

Robert Simpson
Film Editor

Lionel Newman
Original Music

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Critic Reviews for Move Over, Darling

Audience Reviews for Move Over, Darling

• Nov 26, 2012

  A remake of the classic 1940 romantic comedy called "My Favorite Wife," this send up does some good, wacky, sixties style things that are classic in their own way, but doesn't do justice to the original. The reason this was doomed from the beginning is simply because the original didn't need a modern setting, any new set of circumstances, or stars of the time. It's a classic film, the same as the dramas that seem outspokenly protected by time. This was supposed to be a comeback for fallen star Marilyn Monroe, and became the infamous final film "Something's Gotta Give" before being retooled and given a completely different cast. Though I'm sure Monroe would have brought her charm to the role, it doesn't seem specific enough for her, or Dean Martin, who was also cast at the time. What you get instead is new cast members James Garner and Doris Day. While Garner is a perfect match for counterpart Cary Grant in style and substance, Day brings a level of goody two shoes, virginal glee to the mix that though unintentional, is counterproductive. Irene Dunne (from the 1940 version) could always match Grant's witticisms, which were throughout the film. The humor here is much keener than the original, not happy to take risks with changing characters or dialogue, so they put Day in continuously cutesy situations, from storming off with a blush in her cheek, to riding through a car wash completely dressed with the top down on her convertible. There's nothing as sneaky as, say, The Parent Trap, and nothing as smart as a Cary Grant comedy from the forties. It's not lazy, but complacent to take the easy way out time and again. The only true gleaming ray of light is character actress Thelma Ritter, who is always superb. I would put in a good word for Day, though I find her presence almost too sweet to bear. If you're interested though there is a creepy scene with Don Knotts as a perverted shoe clerk, and a shot for shot remake of one particular scene from the original film. The 1940 version is just too solid to be remade, and therein lies this film's problem, enough said.
  Spencer S Super Reviewer
• Jul 22, 2009

  Perfect! It is absolutely delightful with a spectacular cast. Thelma Ritter is in my honest opinion, the best character actress that Hollywood has ever produced, and is allowed to perform her many talents with minimal intrusions by other actors. The best scene of all is watching Doris Day drive a brand new 1963 Imperial Conv. into a car wash and then accidentally putting the top down.
  Dean M Super Reviewer
• Oct 27, 2007

  what could possibly be worse than having one wife and being married? that's right... having two! how the guy didn't commit suicide i don't know! one nagging bird would do my head in enough. played out in the same sense of humour as an episode of say.. be-witched, without the witchery (and nose twitching)... this film centres on a "dead" wife turning up after the widowee has got remarried. tbh, i wish marilyn monroe was still alive at the time to play the part. doris day is nowhere near as fit as her but... she did look interesting in the garden of eden scene.. and the nurses outfit bit.. well, goes without saying really...
  Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
• Jan 09, 2007

  Complete cheese, but what else are you going to watch at 7AM on a Saturday morning? I enjoyed it.
  Stevie S Super Reviewer

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