Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1960)

"Please Don't Eat the Daisies" A Spring Delight &u4i*e*A RatcH? O O O Plus Highly amusing, madcap comedy hit from best seller. Sure-fire boxoffice for family trade in all markets. Doris Day, David Niven star. Spring I960 will be ushered in officially when "Please Don't Eat the Daisies'* arrives. For this jolly, frisky entertainment is the perfect harbinger of the sunny season. Based on Jean Kerr's best-seller about the trials and tribulations surrounding one of New York's "Holy Seven" drama critics, his ever-loving wife, their quartet of juvenile earth-shakers, and what happens when thev are suddenlv forced to move into the blissful (?) bosom of suburbia, "Daisies" emerges as a mad and merry mixture of domestic complications and one of the most rewarding family entertainments to come along in some time. Slated for Easter release, this M-G-M offering has all the earmarks of a walloping success. Contributing to the hilarity are two of filmdom's top marquee personalities— Doris Day, at the height of popularity as a result of her Oscar nomination, and David Niven, recipient of last season's Best Actor award, sultry Janis Paige, Spring iByington and Richard Haydn, plus the four little "monsters" and one of the laziest, most neurotic dogs to ever waddle across , the screen. Producer Joe Pasternak has frosted this madcap souffle with a rich Metrocolor, CinemaScope coating and a catchy title song destined for hit parade fame. The public has clearly registered its taste for comedy by its response to the likes of "Some Like It Hot", "Pillow Talk" and "Operation Petticoat", and if audience reaction at a recent New York sneak is any indication of this one's appeal, M-G-M can count on having one of this season's top grossers. Guaranteed, it will be a sure-fire hit in the family market, and it's laced with enough sophistication to satisfy the discriminating class audience. A concentrated promotion campaign, backed by enthusiastic word-of-mouth, will keep it rolling in all engagements. Director Charles Walters and scripter Isobel Lennart are both well aware of the universal ingredients essential in good comedy. Walters has directed with broad farcical strokes and Miss Lennart's situations are stacked with an abundance of jocularity. For pure slapstick, there's the "little darlings" dropping water bags on unsuspecting pedestrians from the top floor of their Manhattan apartment; the enslavement of the tiniest of the brood in a Houdini-like crib because at the age of one-and-a-half he's already a master at picking locks; and the various ingenious plagues thought up by the offspring to harass their mother and destroy any unfortunate baby sitter nho might pass their way. On another level, there's Niven intoxication with his own wit and success, the oceans of hot water he finds himself in as a result of his reviews — especially after critically destroying best friend Haydn's play and its star Miss Paige — and the problems of setting up housekeeping in Commutersville. The entire cast turn in smart, polished performances. As the David Siren, Doris Day, Spring Byington very-much-in-love wife, tormented mother and newly arrived suburbanite who restores a decaying mansion, pacifies curious neighbors and participates in a little theater group, Miss Day, looking lovelier than ever gives a sparkling performance. Niven, as the critic-husband, who can't believe he's turned into another person since becoming one of the "Holy Se%en", is appropriately suave and highly amusing. Miss Paige as the insulted actress who first slaps Niven in public then tries to trap him in private is all an alluring woman should be. Miss Bvington is perfect as Miss Day's worldly-wise mother; Haydn is delightful as the vengeful friend, and Jack Weston supplies another degree of humor as a cab driver who aspires to be a playwrite. Charles Herbert, Stanley Livingston, Flip Mark and Baby Gellert are a scream as the "darlings." The minor problems in the Day-Niven household are suddenly shoved into the background when they discover their apartment lease has lapsed and a new tenant is about to move in. Frantic searching leads them to a rambling wreck "0 miles outside of New York. In they move and off goes Niven as a daily commuter. He quickly discovers it's impossible to work surrounded by carpenters and painters and so he temporarily sets up quarters in a Manhattan hotel. In the meantime, Miss Day becomes active in the local drama group, and Haydn, seeing a chance to get even with Niven, tricks her into using one of her husband's bad college plays. When the latter appears during rehearsals, he recognizes his clinker and refuses to grant permission. He finally agrees when he learns the play is to be performed for a hospital benefit, even though he knows it will lead to professional disgrace. Deciding to beat his fellow critics to the punch, he prematurely review s the production and rips it to shreds. But the play turns out to be a success and everyone's problems are happily dissolved. M-G-M. Ill minutes. Doris Day. David Niven. Produced by Joe Pasternak. Directed by Charles Walters. Film BULLETIN March 28. I960 Page 23