Watch Do Not Disturb
- NR
- 1965
- 1 hr 42 min
-
5.9 (1,875)
Do Not Disturb is a 1965 romantic comedy starring the legendary Hollywood actress Doris Day, Rod Taylor, Hermione Baddeley, and other notable actors. The movie is a light-hearted tale of marital misunderstandings and sneaky attempts at infidelity. Directed by Ralph Levy and produced by Ross Hunter, the film was shot on location in England and features stunning views of the capital city, London, where the story takes place.
The movie opens with a window cleaner, Mike (played by Taylor), who spots a lovely woman, Janet Harper (Day), undressing in her luxurious high-rise flat. The two have a brief but flirty exchange, and Mike eventually scales the side of the building to her apartment, where he invites her out for a drink.
Janet is, in fact, married to an ambitious executive, Arnold (played by Richard Haydn), who's on the cusp of securing a high-stakes merger deal with a Japanese firm. On the evening of the merger, Arnold instructs his secretary, Claire (Baddeley), to make sure that he is not disturbed, no matter what happens. Unbeknownst to him, Janet, too, has arranged to meet with her former flame, Mike, at the same hotel.
From here on, the movie takes a delightful romp through interconnected rooms, lies, and misunderstandings, as various characters struggle to avoid detection by their partners or bosses. As Janet tries to sneak out of her hotel room to see Mike, she accidentally locks herself out, leading to a hilarious sequence of events that involves scaling the outside of the building, crashing through a party, and injuring her hand.
Meanwhile, Arnold is scrambling to seal the deal with the Japanese executives, but his plans are threatened by a Polish industrialist, Jan (played by Sergio Fantoni), who has his eyes on one of Arnold's underlings. Arnold's attempts to keep his rival occupied while he closes the deal backfire spectacularly, leading to a comedic set-piece involving a samurai sword and a pile of luggage.
Throughout the film, Doris Day shines as the charming and witty Janet, who finds herself torn between her love for her husband and her lingering feelings for Mike. Her comedic timing and charm elevate the movie to a classic status, and her chemistry with Rod Taylor is palpable. Taylor, too, brings his charisma and charm to the screen as Mike, the amiable rogue who's not quite as deceiving as he thinks he is.
Hermione Baddeley, who plays Arnold's secretary, Claire, steals several scenes with her impeccable comic timing and brash wit. She uses her skillful acting to convey a sense of suppressed desire for Arnold, which prompts her to sabotage the merger negotiations amidst her boss's orders.
The movie is not without its drawbacks, including a lack of depth in the characters and a somewhat mediocre plot. However, the film's witty dialogues, splendid locations, and the charm of the actors make Do Not Disturb a must-see for fans of the romantic comedy genre, at once evoking nostalgia for the era of classic Hollywood whilst still retaining a timeless, lighthearted appeal.
In conclusion, Do Not Disturb is a delightful, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that showcases the talents of some of the greatest stars of the era. Its clever premise and charming execution make it a perfect evening watch, a must-see for fans of the genre, and an excellent example of classic 1960s Hollywood charm.
Do Not Disturb is a 1965 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.