Top Five Favorite Doris Day Films

Making a list of my top five anything stresses me out. I'm the kind of person who will constantly worry about my choices, which inevitably leads to incessant revisions. But when my plans for today's post fell through, I decided to lay out my five absolute favorite Doris Day films -- and I was quickly shocked at how easily this list came to me! With Day as one of my most cherished actresses, I thought for sure I'd be wrestling with my selections for days to come, especially since the woman has so many fantastic movies in her filmography, but my brain is pretty relieved that I won't be staying up nights rethinking things. (Yeah, it can get that intense...)

Pillow Talk (1959)

I love this film more than life itself. Every time I watch it, I fall in love with it all over again. The comedic antics and reactions make me laugh until my sides ache, while the romantic elements make me swoon. Pillow Talk may feel like a dirty comedy, but it has so many more layers to it. It's silly and sexy and chic and witty. Doris is such a force to be reckoned with here, but I've gotta say that Rock Hudson gives one of cinema's best comedic performances as the lying songwriter who masquerades as a naive Texan to trick Doris. His work is a revelation, with each viewing revealing more nuances.

Lover Come Back (1961)

The follow-up to Pillow Talk, Lover Come Back is a uproarious, candy-colored confection that manages to (almost) reach the same heights as its predecessor. A scathingly funny look at the world of advertising, this film is a joy from start to finish. Once again, Doris and Rock are magical together, with Tony Randall adding his unique, neurotic silliness.

Romance on the High Seas (1948)
As I wrote in my review of Romance on the High Seas, this film is "a bubbly romantic comedy with terrific people behind and in front of the camera. If you don't have fun watching this, I can't help but feel sorry for you." A Technicolor feast for the eyes and the ears, Romance was Day's film debut -- and what a debut! Her cheerful, luminescent presence and naturalness are there from the very beginning, and her rapport with co-star Jack Carson is beyond adorable.

Teacher's Pet (1958)
Although marketed as a sex comedy, Teacher's Pet is a smart, thought-provoking romantic comedy about the tension between Day's journalism professor and Clark Gable's newspaper editor. Fay and Michael Kanin's brilliant screenplay illustrates real character development and depth, and looks at both sides of the leading couple fairly -- it's not often that I can watch a rom-com and understand both of the leads' point of view as clearly as I do with Teacher's Pet. It's also just a really funny, charming film. Day and Gable have surprisingly great chemistry, and Gig Young turns in a memorable, Oscar-nominated performance as the man who appears to be Gable's competition for Day... but ends up becoming his confidante instead. (And that's just one example of how Teacher's Pet zags when you expect it to zig.)

You can read my full review of the film here.

The Pajama Game (1957)

I've said it a hundred times before and I'll say it a hundred times again: The Pajama Game is one of the greatest musicals ever made. It is baffling to me that it is rarely discussed because it. is. so. damn. good. Stanley Donen and George Abbott's direction is great. Bob Fosse's choreography is revolutionary. The cinematography is subtly beautiful. The songs are incredible and catchy. And then there's Doris. It is heavenly to watch such a perfect marriage between actor and character. Babe Williams is a tremendous role, and Doris clearly relished it. She, and the rest of the cast, look like they are having the time of their lives, and you will, too, when you watch this film.

You can read my full review of The Pajama Game here.

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This is my contribution to my Third Doris Day Blogathon. Click here to join me and some wonderful blogs as we celebrate Day's 97th birthday!