weezeralfalfa
The overall message is rather similar to that in Änne Get Your Gun", from the early '50s: It's OK for women to work outside the home, as long as this doesn't upset their husband or boyfriend too much(which it does in this case). Also, a woman's job outside the home should not be so all consuming that it swamps her private life, and so long that it doesn't upset your husband or boyfriend that you may make more money than he does, or become too big of a celebrity because of your job(which happened this case). Today, many couples need 2 incomes to survive or attain their goals. In the case of Beverly(Doris), this appears to not have been the case. As a baby doctor, presumably her husband (played by James Garner) made a substantial income, as he claims: enough for them to live comfortably. Hence, in his mind, there was no need for Doris to concern herself as a high paid TV advertising celebrity . At first, Beverly's job didn't interfere too much with her role as a wife and mother. But, soon it did. Also, she had become too much of a celebrity for Jim, with people clamoring to get her autograph, and her huge head filling big billboards. He was jealous.....
I don't know if Beverley was making more money than Jim, but in my case, my wife definitely makes more money than I do, with her 2 jobs. She would be lost without either of them. I don't mind a bit, as we need all her income to achieve a lifestyle that she wants. Also, the fact that I am 20 years older pretty much eliminates 'sibling' rivalry as a negative factor( a10 year spread should be good enough). This becomes a big factor in the marriage we are dealing with here......The screenplay is mostly centered around a product: Happy Soap, which Beverly discovers her young daughter prefers as a shampoo.(Wouldn't a liquid formulation make more sense than a bar for shampooing?) She tells this story to a man( Reginald Owen, as Old Tom Fraleigh), who happens to be the head of the company that makes Happy Soap, and he wants her to go on TV and tell her story. At first very reluctant, eventually the salary wins her confidence. Her first try, on live TV ,is a disaster, but, strangely, viewers call or write in about her genuine story. So, she is given a long term contract to do the commercial, for a huge salary. She continues with the TV, as well as billboard, ads until near the end of the film, when the negative fallout becomes overwhelming, and she quits. ......The plot contains another major thread that is relevant from beginning to end: Arlene Francis, as Mrs.. Fraleigh, begins the film in a highly elated mood, because she has been confirmed as pregnant, something she has wished for years. She credits Jim for her success, and has him check on her pregnancy periodically. Near the end, Jim will deliver her baby in the back seat of a car, as they are stuck in traffic. This is the climax of the story. However, probably the most exciting scene is the monster soap bubble conglomeration arising from the swimming pool, that enters the house when the window or door is opened. It's hilarious to see workmen scooping up the mess and putting it in trucks, from which it blows into nearby yards. There is periodic slapstick, and a very animated Doris when she get furious. Beverly's two young children add a nice touch, behaving like children of that age. Reginald Owen, as Old Tom Freleigh, is a scream, especially at dinner. .....On the whole, I think most you will enjoy this funny film, with a message.
Dalbert Pringle
Filmed in living color, The Thrill Of It All is a very dumb, contrived and, generally, a very, very unfunny movie "Sit-Com" from 1963.This naive suburban/family-life story tries with all of its ever-loving might to be adorably cute and highly sophisticated both at the same time. And, unfortunately, it falls flat on its face on both counts, big time.Actress Doris Day is particularly annoying (as usual) as the suburban housewife who suddenly gets her 15 minutes of fame when she becomes the national advertising spokeswoman for "Happy Soap" products.There are definitely much better Comedies from the 1960s out there. I'd certainly pass on this preposterous nonsense if I were you.
jjnxn-1
Cute comedy that is hampered by outdated attitudes to a woman's place in the world. However if you can ignore the admittedly terribly sexist attitudes this has amusing situations and some wry observations about advertising and the gullibility of the public. It also has Doris Day at her most engaging looking beautiful in one gorgeous gown after another, the matching beaded dress and coat in the restaurant scene is amazing, as the Happy girl. James Garner's character is an almost unbelievably sexist jerk and it's a tribute to the actor's charisma and likability that he comes across so well. On the supporting end of the film Arlene Francis is dignity and grace personified as the late in life expectant mother with Edward Arnold as her sweetly befuddled spouse. Reginald Owen is a stitch as the crusty old head of Happy Soap and Elliott Reid adds a touch of normalcy as the level headed ad exec. Alice Pearce, Herbie Faye and the marvelous ZaSu Pitts also stand out in small roles, the kind that would be meaningless if not filled by a distinctive and capable character actor or actress.A frothy, silly and dated film but the talented cast makes it worth checking out.
