Must See Movie Monday - Pillow Talk

Film: Pillow Talk
Released: 1959
Director: Michael Gordon
Starring: Rock Hudson, Doris Day
Short Summary: Jan and Brad share a party line. Though they have never met the despise each other, because all Jan wants to do is make her business calls, and all Brad wants to is flirt with his many girlfriends over the phone. Brad decides discovers the Jan is pretty gorgeous and decides to pose as a naive Texan to romance her. Love and insanity ensues.

Why It's A Must See Movie

Once in a while I get in the mood to watch a Doris Day movie, and Pillow Talk is my favorite movies with her in it (that I've seen anyway). The reason I love it is quite simple. It makes me laugh so much. Maybe more than any other movie makes me laugh. It's the kind of movie that has the ability to be just the right amount of silly without become stupid in the process.

Of course this movie isn't totally timeless. I have a feeling that most people around my age and younger don't even know what a party line is, and might be thinking on what it is when just reading the summary. However, it little things like that that give Pillow Talk it's vintage charm in my opinion. That charm is where much of the fun and laughter comes from.

The fun thing about romantic comedy movies made in the 50's and 60's is that you get a couple bells and whistles you rarely get today. First of all you usually get a few singing moments in there, even if the movie isn't a musical per-say. You might also get some amusing voices overs which express the thoughts of the characters. You get both of those things with Pillow Talk and I love it.

I also love the way the story is told with great uses of split screen, overlays, and generally awesome montages. I think the dialogue is so snappy and funny. I love that all the funny moments usually come from the reaction shots of the actors. The actors also express the tone of the film excellently. Even the smallest characters are brilliant, and have purpose. So if you are in the mood for some romantic hi-jinks, great characters, and just general wacky fun check out Pillow Talk.