Buy Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1960)

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Based on the popular book by Jean Kerr, PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISY is probably the best of Doris Day's 1960s comedies--and it finds her surprisingly paired with David Niven. While the two may seem an unlikely couple, they have extremely good on-screen chemistry, and the film neatly balances its story between the two stars so that neither overshadows the other.

Day plays Kate MacKay, mother of four hellions and the long suffering wife of esoteric drama critic Larry MacKay (Niven.) With her husband under seige by every actor, director, and producer in town, Kate decides to move the family to a home in the country--and in the process leaves her husband open to the temptations of Broadway star Deborah Vaughn (Janis Paige.) Before too long, Larry's swelling ego threatens their happy home.

The cast is expert, with both Day and Niven extremely enjoyable and Janis Paige memorable as the Broadway siren who attempts to lead Niven astray; the supporting roles are also expertly handled by a cast that includes Spring Byington. The script is witty with a dash of sophistocated sparkle, and unlike most of Day's later comedies manages to avoid the feel of frantic farce. A truly enjoyable outing; pure fun all the way.

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Featuring Doris Day and David Niven in a brilliant screen pairing, PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES is a fresh and breezy family comedy, filled with lovely performances. When theatre lecturer Larry Mackay (Niven) becomes a critic for a very important New York newspaper, he soon begins to alienate all those around him, not least of which his ever-patient wife Kate (Day) and their four small children affectionately referred to as "The Monsters"! A move to the country becomes the answer to their problems, but when Larry's New York schedule and ego starts running riot, Kate decides to take action...

This film was based on Jean Kerr's bestselling novel of the same name. Kerr's book was somewhat autobiographical. She was the wife of famed (and feared) New York theatre critic Walter Kerr, and their family did indeed move to a rambling old mansion in upstate New York. Jean Kerr, a famed author and playwright in her own right, also penned the long-running Broadway play "Mary, Mary" (a success on the stage for Barbara Bel Geddes; and later a film with Debbie Reynolds in the lead).

In PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES, Doris Day leads the charge with several musical numbers, including the Title Song, "Any Way the Wind Blows", and "Que Sera Sera" (which she had introduced the previous year in Hitchcock's remake of "The Man Who Knew Too Much"). She delivers a coyly-comedic turn as the flustered stay-at-home mother, and much of her performance still rings true today.

The supporting cast includes priceless performances from Richard Haydn, Patsy Kelly, Spring Byington; and the delicious Janis Paige, who plays the diva-esque leading lady of a Broadway musical who comes under the wrath of Niven's poison-pen! In reality, Paige had starred in "Romance on the High Seas" (the film in which Doris Day made her Hollywood debut), and she had made a big splash on Broadway in "The Pajama Game" (she was ironically replaced by Day for the film version). The Mackay children are played by Charles Herbert, Stanley Livingston, Flip Mark, and "Baby" Gellert.

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I actually do like this movie. I love anything Doris Day has ever done and own all of her titles. The only thing contrary I can say about this particular movie is that I felt David Niven was way too old to play her husband... he was supposed to be her one-time college professor, so I guess that part of it makes sense, but these two married people want such different things out of life! He's having some sort of cranky mid-life crisis and wants to stay in the city with his newfound recognition as a famous play critic. She wants a full time father for her four young sons and a husband who's happy to live in the suburbs and volunteer at the local elementary school. How could anybody make this crazy scenario work? I dunno. But since it's a cute story line and especially well acted plus it stars Doris I would still recommend adding this film to your collection if you are a fan of hers.

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MGM's domestic comedy, "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" was the Easter, 1960 attraction at NYC's fabled showcase, Radio City Music Hall. It repeated it's success there, nationwide, becoming MGM's second highest grossing film of the year. It's easy to see why after viewing this delightfully charming comic gem.

Based on an amusing book by Jean Kerr, wife of famed theatre critic Walter, it is loosely based upon their own misadventures. The film version, produced by Joe Pasternak and directed by Charles Walters, relates the story of husband and wife David Niven and Day who, with their brood of children, decide to relocate to the suburbs after Niven nabs a position as theatre critic with a NYC newspaper. Adjustments are in order for all, and the laughs flow fast and free. Niven almost falls under the spell of seductress Janis Paige but returns to home and hearth by the final reel.

Doris Day is, as always, a delight. She acts with warmth and skill, playing a mother with the same level of expertise she always displays when playing a successful career woman. She even sings a couple of songs in her usual top-notch style. In particular, her rendition of her hit, "Que Sera Sera", to Niven in an Italian restaurant, is very affecting in it's simplicity.

Niven is polished and urbane and the supporting cast, which includes Paige, Spring Byington, Jack Weston, and Patsy Kelly keep the fun going at a rapid fire clip.

An interesting side note: Paige was the female lead in Day's 1948 film debut, "Romance on the High Seas", which made Day an overnight star, many critics barely noting Paige's participation in the film. Paige originated the role of Babe in "The Pajama Game" on Broadway, which Day later received acclaim for in the 1957 film version. In "Daisies", Paige, in a supporting role, makes a very memorable comedy appearance.

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Compared to ghastly films like Prudence and the Pill, David Niven must look back on this film as one of his better efforts. It's a good enough entry in the Doris Day canon, and there is unmistakable chemistry between Day and Niven. That said, it falls short of Jean Kerr's bestseller on which it is based by missing the tone. The later TV show to my mind more captures the sense of the book, although usually movies come closer with the follow up TV shows a pale imitation of the original book.

My title comes from the book Kerr wrote after Please Don't Eat the Daisies, both books being unaccountably out of print. Both books also, in my opinion, being well worth tracking down. With this film out on DVD, the TV series, and maybe even the revival of Kerr's books, may not be far behind.