Rock Hudson Films Part II

296. Pillow Talk (1959) Gordon - Rating ***1/2 Co-stars Doris Day and Rock Hudson 102 Minutes. The perfect romantic comedy. Hudson is a philandering song writer “Brad Allen” who shares a party line with interior decorator, Doris Day. He dislikes her until - by chance - he sees her at a nightclub, and decides to turn into “Rex Stetson” in an attempt to bed her. Tony Randall and Thelma Ritter lend excellent support. And Day has a couple good songs. A great script, very funny and perfectly cast. Whoever decided to pair Day and Hudson should have received a medal.

297. Lover Come Back (1961) Mann - Rating *** Co-stars Doris Day and Rock Hudson 107 minutes. In this follow-up (rip-off) of “Pillow Talk” Day and Hudson are battling advertising execs, she’s hardworking and ethical, he’s a hard-drinking Lothario, who steals her clients. Hudson impersonates a scientist in this one. Tony Randall returns as a neurotic rich guy. A cut below “Pillow Talk” its still pretty funny. The script isn’t as good but Day, Hudson and Randall are.

298. Send Me no Flowers (1964) Jewison - Rating **1/2 Co-stars Doris Day and Rock Hudson 100 Minutes. Hudson is a hypochondriac who thinks he's dying and makes plans for Day which she discovers and misunderstands and decides is an excuse for an affair. Randall shows up, again, as Rock’s best friend. However, best supporting supporting actor honors go to Paul Lynde as a Funeral director who loves his job. The last and least of the Hudson-Day comedies. The script lacks wit and the story is too much like a TV sit-com. The actors are as good as ever but they need good lines.

299. A Farewell To Arms (1957) Vidor - Rating **1/2 Co-stars Jennifer Jones and Rock Hudson 152 Minutes. Based on the Hemingway novel, in WW I Italy, an American Ambulance driver falls in love with a British nurse. The movie looks beautiful (Italian Alps) and is well photographed but never seems to come alive. The pace is too slow, the script mediocre, and neither Jones nor Hudson provide the needed intensity. Hudson, in particular seems bland. But the supporting actors are good, especially De Sica and the war scenes are well done. A troubled, expensive, production, Houston was replaced by Vidor and Selznick micromanaged the film with indifferent results. Like most Hemingway, the novel is much better than the film.

300. Tobruk (1967) Hiller - Rating **1/2 Co-stars George Peppard and Rock Hudson 107 Minutes. British Commandos commanded by "Canadian" Hudson with German Jews (Peppard) in support, disguise themselves as Germans and try to destroy Rommel's fuel supplies at Tobruk. An above- average behind enemy lines-on-a-mission movie ala the "Guns of Navorone", "Dirty Dozen", etc. We get the standard conflicts within the group, the possibility of a traitor, obstacles to be overcome along with the usual "is it all worth it?" philosophizing. Peppard, for some reason, was always good at playing Germans and he does a good job here. Hudson is adequate, playing the calm leader trying to accomplish the mission. The supporting cast is full of familiar British character actors doing their usual bits. The special effects and battle are quite well done. Had the script been better, the characters more complex, and the story less predictable, I'd rate it higher.