Main Cast: Cary Grant, Doris Day, Gig Young, Audrey Meadows, John Astin, Dick Sargent
Release Year: 1962
Country: US
Run Time: 99 minutes
Plot
When people refer to Doris Day as "the world's oldest professional virgin," they generally have the 1962 comedy That Touch of Mink in mind. It isn't that Cathy Timberlake (Day) is above a bit of hanky-panky; it's just that she wants such tangibles as a marriage license and wedding ring first. Thus, when playboy businessman Philip Shayne (Cary Grant) begins actively pursuing Cathy (they "met cute" when Philip's limo splashed mud on the hapless Cathy), she won't say "I will" until he says "I do." She is of the idealistic opinion that she can bring out the best intentions in him, even when he repeatedly tips off his worst intentions by inviting her to accompany him to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Bermuda. After not a few complications and misunderstands, Cathy finally finagles a proposal out of Philip. The film is essentially much ado about nothing, but it is so well-acted and attractively photographed that the audiences are willing to go along for the ride. The high-powered supporting cast includes Gig Young as Roger, Philip's moralistic financial advisor; Audrey Meadows as Connie, Cathy's wise-cracking roommate; Alan Hewitt as Dr. Gruber, a confused psychiatrist; John Astin as Beasley, Cathy's slimy would-be beau; Dick Sargent as a neurotic honeymooner; and an unbilled Richard Deacon as an all-around letch. Best scene: the baseball-dugout rhubarb involving New York Yankees Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Yogi Berra. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Sex comedies from the 1960s tend not to age too well, and while that's true to an extent with That Touch of Mink, it does hold up better than many other similar films from the period. Part of the credit goes to the screenplay, which is structurally quite sound and which features dialogue that actually is witty on occasion and, even when not witty, is at least appropriate. Unfortunately, the main plot itself is bound to give pause to some modern viewers, who will object to a number of things, including the inherent materialism, the sexual "obligation" that Doris Day feels, the age difference between the leads, and the outdated sexual role-playing that permeates the film. However, when suave and charismatic Cary Grant is on hand, and when Day is operating -- as here -- at the top of her form, things are bound to be kept lively and entertaining, and the stars do not disappoint. They're also supported by an excellent supporting cast, from Audrey Meadows' wisecracking best pal to John Astin's oily letch. Delbert Mann directs with supreme confidence, timing his gags to within a nanosecond and keeping the whole thing moving along at a sprightly pace. Throw in some glamorous clothes and sumptuous settings, and Mink is a glossy, amusing and entertaining little film -- that is better enjoyed without probing under its surface. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Alan Hewitt - Dr. Gruber; John R. McKee - Collins, chauffeur; Jan Burrell - Miss Jones; June Ericson - Millie; Willard Sage - Hodges; Russ Bender - Williams; Dorothy Abbott - Stewardess; Louise Arthur - Woman; Alice Backes - Miriam; Edna Bennett - Mrs. Wilson; Yogi Berra - Himself; Helen Brown - Mrs. Farnum; Richard Deacon - Mr. Miller; Fred Essler - Mr. Golden; Joey Faye - Short Man; Kathryn Givney - Mrs. Haskell; Billy Greene - Al; Clegg Hoyt - Truck driver; William Lanteau - Leonard; Jack Livesey - Dr. Richardson; Mickey Mantle - Himself; Ralph Manza - Cab driver; Roger Maris - Himself; Tyler McVey - Doorman; Cathy Merchant - Irene; Laurie Mitchell - Showgirl; Nelson Olmsted - Mr. Hackett; Yvonne Peattie - Fashion consultant; Jack Rice - Customer in Automat; Laiola Wendorff - Mrs. Golden; John Fiedler - Mr. Smith; Barbara Collentine - Mrs. Smith; Melora Conway - Miss Farrell; William Gleason - Hotel Manager; Sally Hughes - Secretary; Jon Silo - Mario; George Simmons - Bellboy; John Morley - Man
Cathy Timberlake (Doris Day), a New York City career woman meets the man of her dreams, Philip Shayne (Cary Grant), in an unusual way. His Rolls Royce splashes her dress with mud while she is on her way to a job interview.
The wealthy, suave Philip and the virginal Cathy are at cross purposes. He just wants an affair, while she is holding out for marriage. Watching from the sidelines are Philip's conflicted assistant, Roger (Gig Young), who is guilt-ridden and seeing a therapist for helping his boss with his numerous conquests, and Cathy's cynical friend, Connie Emerson (Audrey Meadows), who knows just what Philip is after.
Philip wines and dines Cathy. He even takes her to see the New York Yankees play. They watch from an unusual vantage point, the Yankees dugout (he owns part of the team), and are thrown out, along with Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Yogi Berra (playing themselves), by umpire Art Passarella for violating the rules.
After some relentless chasing by the rich, sophisticated Philip, Cathy finally succumbs and agrees to go on a trip to Bermuda with him, implicitly agreeing to intimacy. But conveniently or not (depending on one's perspective), she comes down with a possibly psychosomatic rash, much to her embarrassment and his frustration.
The Bermuda trip is repeated due to Cathy's determination, but she fails once more. On this second occasion, Cathy precedes Philip to the island and drinks heavily to calm her nerves before he arrives. By the time he gets to the hotel, Cathy is very drunk and makes a complete fool of herself before Philip, eventually falling out of the window onto an awning below. Cathy's humiliation is rendered complete in the next scene, as she is carried in her pajamas through the crowded hotel lobby by two uniformed hotel staff members. With a nasally drunken slur, she orders them to return her to Philip's room, to a mixed reaction of shock and amusement by the very refined-looking spectators.
Cathy eventually wins this skirmish between the sexes and they get married. Ironically, on their honeymoon, he breaks out in a rash.
That Touch of Mink was Grant's last role as the suave pursuer of the young female lead. Although in his next role he had a tryst with Audrey Hepburn in Charade (1963), she was the pursuer per Grant's request, because of the 25 year age difference.
Won the Golden Globe for Best Comedy Picture and Cary Grant was nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical/Comedy.
Won the Golden Laurel for Top Comedy, while Doris Day won for Top Female Comedy Performance, Cary Grant for Top Male Comedy Performance and Gig Young for Top Male Supporting Performance.
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