Customer Reviews

Do Not Disturb

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Right before the Christmas, 1965 release of "Do Not Disturb", Fox executive Richard Zanuck noted that the film's star, Doris Day was the only surefire actress at the box-office in Hollywood. Doris Day movies made money and the public flocked to see Miss Day whenever a new film was released. "Disturb" continued that pattern, earning 20th Century Fox a nice profit although not quite in the league of earlier and some latter Day films. Nevertheless, it kept Miss Day in the box-office top ten. The 1965 list, released right after this film's release, showed her the top female star at the box-office, placing third on the list.
"Do Not Disturb" is lightweight, harmless, amusing fluff. It is saved by some great production values including the cinematography of Oscar winner, Leon Shamroy, Miss Day's energetic performance and some of the most beautiful outfits the star has ever worn including a drop-dead gorgeous evening gown that clearly indicates that Miss Day was one of the silver screen's sexiest actresses.
Unfortunately the writing material given the gifted star doesn't give her the opportunities she deserves to shine as the skilled comic she has proven to be repeatedly. However, she makes the most of what is available.
The film represents her first on-screen teaming with Rod Taylor. They work well together although the chemistry they display the following year in MGM's hilarious "Glass Bottom Boat" isn't evidenced.
The opening credits are cute, the title song is catchy and rendered expertly by Miss Day. The supporting cast are all capable and features some of Hollywood's best veterans.
The plot about a American couple adjusting to life in London has been done to death previously. A couple of sequences are very funny, however Director Ralph Levy whose greatest fame was helming the hit Burns and Allen series on television in the 50's, is not skillful enough to milk all the laughs from the situation. A Norman Jewison would probably have made it seem funnier.
All this aside, Miss Day is enjoyable and there are some laughs, guffaws and chuckles throughout and the whole thing is pretty to look at.
Time Magazine in reviewing the film referred to it as "Day's Hard Night". It's better than they would lead you to believe.
If your expectations are not for another "Thrill of It All" or "Pillow Talk", "Do Not Disturb" will be a pleasant way to pass a couple of hours.

It's wonderful to see, finally, this Doris Day comedy on DVD. The formula plays much like the 1963 "Move Over, Darling", but that formula works, and changing it up with new plot incidents, locales, stars and designs makes "Do Not Disturb" a vintage piece of delightful entertainemt. Day is so winning and acts with such effortless ease, that we go right along with the silly sitcom plot devices. In fact, we enjoy them because she brings reality to even the most hackneyed gags. As usual, Day is surrounded by acting and production pros who make the proceedings all the more enjoyable because we don't worry that any element of the film is going to fall apart. "Do Not Disturb" takes us to the far-off lands of England and France via 20th Century Fox's backlot, and wraps everything visual with great style. The costumes for Day are particularly lavish here, including a spectacular floor length, backless, sequined tangerine gown - which she fills with utterly delightful femininity. Rod Taylor is a fine co-star (he's even better with her in 1966's "Glass Bottom Boat"), Hermione Baddeley gets to glam it up as a genteel British countrywoman, and Sergio Fantoni makes a terrific romantic foil. Lots of fizzy fun, great cast and production make this a film that can be viewed repeatedly as the type of romantic comedy that simply could not be made any longer.

I've always felt that the pairing of Doris Day and Rod Taylor was as equally as good as that with James Garner or Rock Hudson, and much undervalued by the 'critics'! Somehow rugged Aussie He-Man Rod, and girl next door Doris, seemed like a perfect match, and they both had an appealing chemistry between them, you got the feeling they enjoyed each others company. 'Do Not Disturb' may not have been quite as good as their other film together [Glass Bottom Boat], but it was a lot better than most 'critics' paint it. A harmless piece of nonsense with some good laughs, and nice photography, it's what I'd class as a good 'no brainer' that you can sit back and watch after a hard day at work, and it's sure to relax you and put a smile on your dial! It's not a screen 'classic', but does what it intends to do, gives some good lighthearted entertainment, just by watching two pros strut their stuff. Rod, more remembered for his tough no nonsense action roles, has a suprisingly good flair for light comedy, and watching these two together, only makes me wish they'd teamed up for a couple more films.

Being a Doris Day fan all my life this is also excellent stuff. Can still recall this movie to this day. Still remember the title song Do not Disturb. For great escapism and good entertainment you cant go wrong.

Sometimes, directors are dazzled by the star they are directing. I think this was the case with "Do Not Disturb." Ralph Levy seems to have sat back and NOT directed Doris Day! Forget that this was a lame and utterly silly story and the Day character was just too silly for words (getting angry because her husband was at WORK and not available to help her pick out drapes for their living room, etc.).

In the midst of tremendous social criticism regarding Miss Day's "being out of touch," her husband, Martin Melcher came up with this sub-standard script. This was one of the scripts he brought to Miss Day and her eyes rolled back inside her head. HE'D ALREADY SIGNED FOR HER TO MAKE THE FILM.

Doris is overly "cutesy" and "muggy" throughout. Don't get me wrong, she has her moments here. (1) When she realizes that the children were drinking wine and not coke (2) The fun kickball on the street (3) The charming scene inside the Paris pub where she gets drunk and then lost in the fog. The rest was just junk. In the '60s in party scenes, there was always a dumb blond who starts laughing very loudly; there is some very BAD disco dancing and in true Day tradition, there is a chase scene near the end of the movie with Day running from SOMEone. Rod Taylor looked angry and embarrassed throughout (with good reason) and Doris over-acted all over the place. Thankfully, the two stars redeemed themselves in the funny and well done, "Glass Bottom Boat" the following year.

Doris looked beautiful, as usual, but for the first time, I wasn't crazy about her wardrobe.

Doris Day was among Hollywood's few truly bankable stars during the late 1950s and early 1960s, particularly noted for her comic talents in such frothy farces as PILLOW TALK, PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES, and THAT TOUCH OF MINK. Unfortunately, as the 1960s progressed her films did not, and although her films remained popular they were seen as increasingly out of touch with the tone of the times. The situation was not helped by Day's husband-manager Martin Melcher, who developed the habit of signing Day to film projects Day herself found uninspired. Such was the case with the 1965 flyweight comedy DO NOT DISTURB.

The play seems to be a grab-bag of ideas from previous Day films, the story of a pretty but slightly klutzy wife (Day) and a neglectful husband (Rod Taylor) who find themselves at romantic cross purposes courtesy of their landlady Vanessa (Hermione Baddeley), a sexy secretary (Maura McGiveney), and a handsome antiques dealer(Sergio Fantoni.) The roles are one-dimensional, the plot turns are predictable, and the dialogue trivial. Both Day and Taylor respond by overplaying, sometimes to the point of shrillness. Even so, they do manage to inject enough life into the film to make it mildly amusing--and the supporting cast is quite charming. When all is said and done, the film is most memorable for the sight of Doris Day in a brilliantly orange evening gown as she struggles on the dance floor to shake away an olive dropped down her back.

The DVD includes several bonus features, including an account of Day's early life and career, a brief biography of Michael Romanoff (who plays a cameo in the film), and a brief biography of composer Mort Garson (who is perhaps best remembered for the song "Our Day Will Come.) It offers a nice transfer and is present in its original widescreen format. Most Doris Day fans will find it amusing, but even so most will admit that DO NOT DISTURB is hardly among the first tier of her films: not bad, but in no way memorable.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

Slow beginning, comedy relies on the differences between the USA and the UK. Things heat up a little when Doris and the landlady create a mystery lover to make Doris' husband (Rod Taylor) jealous. Her husband thinks her "lover" is the French interior decorator. The real comedy begins when Doris goes to a "No Wivies Party" as her husband's "assistant". Not as good as Doris Day's other comedies.

Although I am a Doris Day fan, this one is not my favorite movie of hers. I enjoyed watching her having trouble with money exchanges and driving, and loved how she dealt with the fox hunters. I loved the fashion clothing and her interaction with the French family too. I didn't like Rod Taylor's script. I thought his part was a little demeaning toward her. It was a good movie, but could have been much better.

OK, I admit it, I'm a great Doris Day fan, and this one is one of my favorites! Don't get me wrong, I love all the other movies, especially the ones with the Day-Hudson combination, but this one is very funny and the English element adds a different humorous touch - the scene with the fox & dogs cracks me up every time. Not to mention the wardrobe in this one rocks! Also, Rod Taylor in his all American rugged-type husband is really a nice change to the clean-cut, smooth leading men of that era. Definately 5 stars from me, and about time it was released on dvd....

Do Not Disturb is a frothy and light romance starring the lovely Doris Day and the charming Rod Taylor. There was one thing about this movie that prevented me from fully enjoying it, however, and it took me a while to pinpoint what is was. Surprisingly enough, it was Miss Day herself. She seems to be taking the dizzy blonde American character to an extreme here, and comes across as trying too hard (almost frenetic in the last half) throughout the entire film. Rod Taylor, on the other hand, appears as relaxed and effortless as ever. The chemistry the two demonstrate in The Glass Bottom Boat is sadly not in play here, and the movie suffers for it. Great Sixties fashion and snappy dialogue still need well-rounded characters to provide that special interplay that can draw in repeat viewers. Only for hard-core Day or Taylor fans, although perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon while flipping through magazines.