The Thrill of it All

[littlegoldfish666]

Like I said, (somewhere ) I'm a very impatient person and I like the action to start pretty quickly

[littlegoldfish666]

Oh and there's just one thing I found a little...um.....odd.....They were married, right? So, why would they have single beds in their room instead of a double bed? *scratches head*

[Lauren Benjamin]

I believe there were "codes" that stated that you had to have double beds and no *open-mouth* kissing. It was perfectly ridiculous and unreal, but I think the codes were still in effect. Anyone remember the name of the codes. I think the Catholic church had something to do with it.

Lauren

[Pedro]

Do you mean they should have had a double bed out of respect for the code ? They didn't so the code was not respected ?

[littlegoldfish666]

I believe there were "codes" that stated that you had to have double beds and no *open-mouth* kissing. It was perfectly ridiculous and unreal, but I think the codes were still in effect. Anyone remember the name of the codes. I think the Catholic church had something to do with it.

Lauren

Really? Even if they were married? huh, weird *shrugs*

[Jas1]

It was the Production [or Hays Code- named after Will Hays- former US postmaster general who was in charge of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America [MPPDA]-who established a set of guidelines in 1930 that came into affect in 1934.

The guidelines came about due to growing public perception that Hollywood was awash with vice and immorality [on and off screen] - they also came about as a means of avoiding federal censorship.

Joseph Breen became head of the Production Code Administration [backed up by the Catholic Church's Legion of Decency] - maybe some of you have heard of [or read about] getting approval from the Breen office, for certain risque scripts.

The result of the guidelines/codes was a very strict censorship on certain depictions/ actions from 1934 until the late 1950s. The Code [although penetrated] was not abolished until 1968 when the ratings system [still in place] came into effect.

I know so much about the code as I once wrote a piece about 'De-coding the code' - arguing [particularly in film-noir] - that far from curtailing film makers': the code encouraged them to be ingenious in getting certain things past the code - look again at films such as Gilda; Maltese Falcon etc. See also 'The Postman Always rings twice' and in the 1950s, films such as 'Streetcar named desire'; 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'; Suddenly Last Summer and Butterfield 8 - also pushed boundaries.

Those who have read Doris' book will know it was due to the code the rape scene in Love me or Leave Me was cut to pieces - leaving very little in the finished/ released film! I also read somewhere that there either was a scene in Pillow Talk [or there was going to be] where Brad & Jan are in their respective baths and one drops the soap and feels around [split screen] for it - and again, due to the code, this did not proceed.

The rules of the code were quite often ridiculous- you will notice films before 1934 were in many ways more explicit than ones after [until the 1960s]. There is a Bette Davis film [pre-1934] where she openly lives with her boyfriend and things go wrong only when they marry! There is a film [again I cannot recall the title] during this time where it is heavily suggested Barbara Stanwyck 'pleasures' her boss in a washroom of a club. Bette Davis talking about her film 'The Letter' said the Hays office insisted her character die at the end of the film - as punishment for killing. Before the code, the character would have lived, as was intended in the original script.

The code also banned 'excessive and lustful kissing...'; 'suggestive postures and genstures...'; 'the technique of murder must be presented in a way that will not inspire imitation...'; etc etc - it also banned a man and woman [married or not in the script] to be on the same bed- unless at least one of them had a foot on the ground! Paradoxically, the code allowed - 'apparent cruelty to children or animals'; & 'the sale of women'; - provided they were 'within the careful limits of good taste...'- unbelievable I know!

Re- Doris & James and double beds - by 1963 they could have had a double bed - being married and all, so I don't think the code would have prevented this - I'd say it was just more to do with cosmetics; set design etc.

[littlegoldfish666]

Thanks for the explanation Jas1. Seems a little extreme dont'cha think

[Pedro]

Thanks a lot Jas1. Very interesting and vast subject, so I’ve done some googeling about it. The main issue is : are government regulations necessary and if they are, how are they compatible with the freedom of expression guaranteed by constitution since 1789. Of course there are multiple possible answers to that question. The Hays code was one of them, and we must be very grateful to this M. Hays that we can see such beautiful nightdresses in DD movies. But he won’t make me change my mind on the main thing. I still believe that double beds are far more comfortable than singles. And I’m sure DD would agree with that.

[littlegoldfish666]

Thanks a lot Jas1. Very interesting and vast subject, so I’ve done some googeling about it. The main issue is : are government regulations necessary and if they are, how are they compatible with the freedom of expression guaranteed by constitution since 1789. Of course there are multiple possible answers to that question. The Hays code was one of them, and we must be very grateful to this M. Hays that we can see such beautiful nightdresses in DD movies. But he won’t make me change my mind on the main thing. I still believe that double beds are far more comfortable than singles. And I’m sure DD would agree with that.

Well I'm single but I have a double bed and I gotta agree that they are far comfier Especially when I had my cat and she used to lie on the bed beside me What is it with cats, can't they lie on just one side or the other....But noooooooo they have to lie right across the bed...Um yeah, risregard my last statement. When you have a cat it's still not very comfy

[melancholy]

[puck]

I love this movie, find these image on ebay.

[doris-day-fan]

Loved the movies Doris did with James Garner. He is a wonderful man - met him at the Indianapolis Speedway many years ago. I just learned in the past couple of days from someone very close to him that Mr Garner is not well, so I ask all of you to please pray for him.
Mary Anne

[Jas1]

Will do Mary-Anne, sorry to hear that.

[howard]

Me too! He seemed to be such a nice guy!

[melancholy]

Love this movie,it was the first one I ever saw with Doris.And first impressions last..
Dorine

[TCMMovieFan]

For me - the scene where Doris nervously botches up her first commercial - with assistance from a pesty and annoying director (Bernie Kopell) who badgers her quite a bit - has me in entirely in stitches ! Her stammering and 'hems and haws' - the hesitancy and the way in which she brings it across is totally realistic. That is the way that most novices before the TV cameras or stage would react. Yet in was her natural demeanor that literally 'saves the day' and Beverly Boyer becomes such a popular spokesperson for the soap.
I also like the German maid --- I get plenty of laughs with her as well as Maid # 1 - Zasu Pitts. All in all - a sunny and funny movie.
Sure wish we could find a film like that today !!!!!!!

[TCMMovieFan]

The little girl who played Doris' daughter in this movie also appeared in the SOUND OF MUSIC.

[melancholy]

The whole movie is full of natural comedy.But to act this way like Doris did,really puts down a perfect picture of how you can start a commercial...


Dorine

[suzie]

I just love this movie. My favorite part is the swimming pool and all of the suds and bubbles .This movie is a great pick me up , if you are feeling down watch this one ,its great.

[SUESTEWART]

The Thrill Of it All,Where do I start.I watched this movie for the first time with my Mom,It is,by far my fave!!!!! Wholesome and great all in one.They DO NOT make movies like this anymore!!!!!!!!

[Jas1]

It is a great film isn't it?

[howard]

Without a doubt, one of DD's best!

[mrskennethadams]

I Love The Thrill of it All !!
It makes me feel better when I'm depressed.
Doris Day's better than anti depressants! : )

Thank You Doris Day!

[webmaster]

Hi Mrs Adams

Welcome to the forum - your post made me think about the film's title, "The Thrill of it All" - what does it mean? We've gotten used to it but it doesn't describe the film in any way, does it?

It is a fun film though!

[Jas1]

The thrill of it - all - career; home life; marriage etc- which of course it was not!

[melancholy]

that 's what it means to me.My first Doris movie,about the thrill everyday holds.

[anialek36]

[anialek36]

Have a good week, I wish you all Ania

[DannyProctor]

Filmed on the Universal Pictures backlot, the house used for Doris & James Garner's home in The Thrill Of It All is on what ABC-TV's Desperate Housewives calls Wisteria Lane. On the series, it's Tom & Lynette Scavo's house. In the movie, the front door is on the driveway side and the driveway goes through to the backyard (major movie moment with that driveway going to the back). On DH, there's a garage door there.

[Hollywood]

On "The Official James Garner Fan Page" on Facebook, this film was posted as a "small diversion" b/c of the Oklahoma Tornado. It appropriate considering that James is from Norman, which is just south of Moore, OK where the Tornado hit. Anyways, if you need a break from that news, I hope this helps. Enjoy! http://youtu.be/m3CdIhsv5Fo