| Lover Come Back | |
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Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Delbert Mann |
| Produced by | Robert Arthur Martin Melcher Stanley Shapiro |
| Written by | Stanley Shapiro Paul Henning |
| Starring | Doris Day Rock Hudson |
| Music by | Frank De Vol |
| Cinematography | Arthur E. Arling |
| Editing by | Marjorie Fowler |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
| Release date(s) | December 20, 1961 |
| Running time | 107 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Lover Come Back is a 1961 Eastmancolor romantic comedy released by Universal Pictures. The film stars Doris Day and Rock Hudson in their second film together. The supporting cast includes Tony Randall, Edie Adams, Ann B. Davis, and Donna Douglas.
This movie directed by Delbert Mann features one of the most iconic comic trios in the American cinema: Day/Hudson/Randall. Although not as well known as Pillow Talk (1959), the script by Stanley Shapiro and Paul Henning earned an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay.
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The story is similar to the earlier Hudson-Day Pillow Talk (1959), revolving around mistaken identity, with a man trying to seduce a woman who hates his real identity, by feigning lack of experience with women.
In a New York advertising agency, Jerry Webster (Rock Hudson), a Madison Avenue ad executive, has achieved success not through hard work or intelligence but by wining and dining his clients, even setting them up on dates with attractive girls.
Jerry's equal and sworn enemy at a rival agency is Carol Templeton (Doris Day). Although she has never met him, Carol is disgusted by Jerry's unethical tactics and reports him to the Ad Council. Jerry avoids trouble with his usual aplomb, sending a comely chorus girl, Rebel Davis (Edie Adams), to seduce the council members.
Jerry then promises Rebel a spot in commercials, so he shoots some featuring her for “VIP,” a non-existent product. The commercials accidentally are broadcast on TV, thanks to the perplexed company president, Pete Ramsey (Tony Randall).
Jerry needs to come up with a product quickly. He bribes a chemist, Dr. Linus Tyler (Jack Kruschen), to come up with a “VIP” that could be marketed. Jerry pretends to be the inventor to Carol, while she is attempting to steal the account from him by wining, dining, golfing, and frolicking at the beach with him.
Carol learns the truth. Appalled, she once more reports him to the Advertising Council, this time for promoting a product that doesn't exist. Jerry, however, arrives at the hearing with VIP, a mint-flavored candy Dr. Tyler has created. He provides a free sample to everyone there, including Carol.
“VIP” turns out to be an intoxicating candy, having the same effect as a triple martini. Its extreme effects lead to a one-night stand between Carol (who has a low tolerance for alcohol) and her bitter rival, Jerry, complete with marriage license.
Carol has the marriage annulled, but Jerry convinces the liquor industry to give Carol a quarter of its advertising. Jerry leaves New York to work in the company's California branch — only to be called back nine months later to remarry Carol in a hospital maternity ward, just before she gives birth to their child.
Doris Day sings two songs in the film: "Lover Come Back" during the opening credits, and "Should I Surrender" as she contemplates what to do with her feelings for Jerry.
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