Pillow Talk: A Classic Doris Day & Rock Hudson Romantic Comedy
Dive into Pillow Talk (1959), the iconic romantic comedy starring Doris Day & Rock Hudson. Discover its witty plot and timeless Hollywood charm.
Carol Templeton (Doris Day) is a woman who knows what she wants: dedicated to her work at an advertising agency, she demands the same commitment from her team. However, the ad executive is facing a problem with a certain Jerry Webster (Rock Hudson). A man she’s never met is snatching up accounts right from under her nose. And even worse, he uses unprofessional methods, like taking clients to dinners with beautiful women, lavish parties, and getting them drunk.
Determined to resolve the situation, Carol decides to report him to the advertising council, considering his tactics unfair. Jerry, on the other hand, believes he’s doing nothing wrong, as it’s all just a strategy to attract clients. For him, every tactic is valid. And his is to use his charm to win over the best clients by going after what they desire most.
After being reported, Jerry panics but manages to find a witness in his favor. He convinces a model to promote “VIP,” a product that, in reality, doesn’t even exist. That’s when the situation gets complicated. He needs to prove that the product isn’t his invention. To stall Carol, who’s hot on his trail, he decides to act as if he’s the product’s creator, the quiet and innocent Tyler.
Trying to imitate Jerry’s tricks, Carol believes she can get ahead and takes Tyler everywhere he wants to go. Luckily for her, he seems to be a man with no ulterior motives. She even invites him to sleep in her apartment. Carol ends up falling into Jerry’s clutches and finds herself manipulated in a way she never imagined.
Jerry manages to get Carol into bed. And we know getting a character played by Doris Day to that point is noteworthy! But, of course, the actress insisted that her character wouldn’t surrender without getting married first. The justification used was that they both ate “VIP” cupcakes, which were loaded with alcohol, ended up getting married, and woke up the next day remembering nothing.
The funny part comes from her shock and the consequences a few months later, which will lead the couple to marry again due to the unfolding events. If you’ve read this plot and noticed similarities to “Pillow Talk” (1959), you’re not mistaken. Both follow the same line of a smart but naive girl who is tricked by a charming and popular braggart. Although the plot isn’t original at all, Stanley Shapiro and Paul Henning were nominated by the Academy for Best Original Screenplay. The Academy is full of surprises!
I often think about how the actress and singer’s films have aged, especially because of the “Doris-isms” of her characters, who, despite being independent, were surprised by simple gestures like a kiss or a more intense hug. The interesting thing about this film is that the character’s worldview is tested and has become somewhat old-fashioned.
Still, I appreciate the dialogue, which contains several lightly sexual quips, and also Rock Hudson’s country bumpkin character. He ends up stealing the show, pretending to be more naive than Carol herself. It’s something so clearly silly and clueless that it ends up being seductive. Well, it’s the late 1950s, and Doris’s films, whether you like it or not, had this tone that was very entertaining.
So, watch this film without high expectations on a lovely rainy afternoon, and let yourself be captivated by this charismatic couple. And, let’s face it, Rock Hudson is more handsome than ever. Doris also has her charm. The cuts of her clothes, in this film and any of her others, are always well-designed and elegant. Here, she’s dressed by Irene, and many of the outfits could be worn even today.
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