Doris Day and Rock Hudson team up in this comedy set in the 1960’s of Madison Avenue — the heart of the Advertising Agencies. Think of it as the Mad Men of yesteryear. Yea, that’s right, the allure of the Ad men of Madison Avenue was the theme of earlier movies and TV shows. Even Darin Stevens of “Bewitched” was one of the Ad men of that era. It must have been one of those prestigious careers.
In “Lover Come Back,” Doris Day is an account executive at one firm, and Rock Hudson the Playboy-type is an account exec at another firm. Doris goes by the book, Rock lands accounts with alcohol, cigarettes, girls and parties.
I read that Doris requested a minor change in the script. She had morals about sex on the screen. Sex in marriage was OK to portray. When she and the National Ad Council feast on the newly minted candy called “Vip” — which just so happens to be pure alcohol — she wakes up the next morning in bed next to her arch enemy, Jerry Webster (Rock Hudson.) But all is fine, he shows her their signed marriage certificate. Times were different back then, and I appreciate and applaud that.
You’ll love her wardrobe and the retro times of the 60’s — gloves and hats, shoes with matching handbags. It’s a little bit “Mad Men,” but much tamer and happier. Doris holds her own as an account exec, and looks professional, beautiful and moral. (unlike the women of the TV Mad Men series.)
“I like joy; I want to be joyous. I want to smile and I want to make people laugh. And that’s all I want. I like being happy. I want to make others happy.” – Doris Day
This is a fun movie. It’s silly, not serious. Made in 1961, it will give you a view of the past.
