Lover Come Back

Lover Come Back
Name	Lover Come Back
Director	Delbert Mann
Producer	Stanley Shapiro
Writer	Stanley Shapiro, Paul Henning
Starring	Rock Hudson, Doris Day, Tony Randall, Edie Adams
Music	Frank De Vol
Cinematography	Arthur E. Arling
Editing	Marjorie Fowler
Studio	Universal-International
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Runtime	107 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Lover Come Back is a 1961 American romantic comedy film directed by Delbert Mann and starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day. The film, a follow-up to the successful ''Pillow Talk'', features a screenplay by Stanley Shapiro and Paul Henning that satirizes the world of Madison Avenue advertising. It was produced by Universal-International and features supporting performances from Tony Randall and Edie Adams.

Plot

The plot centers on rival advertising executives, Carol Templeton and Jerry Webster, who work for competing firms on Madison Avenue. Webster, a charming but unscrupulous adman, secures clients through lavish parties and deception, while Templeton is a principled career woman who believes he is a phantom account. Their conflict escalates when Webster invents a fake product called "VIP" to win a campaign, leading Templeton to pursue the account. The situation becomes increasingly convoluted when Templeton, unaware of Webster's true identity, falls for him while he is posing as the shy inventor of VIP, Dr. Linus Tyler. The farcical misunderstandings culminate in a memorable scene at a justice of the peace and a pivotal hearing before the American Advertising Federation.

Cast

The film is headlined by the popular comedic duo of Rock Hudson, who plays the deceptive Jerry Webster, and Doris Day as the earnest Carol Templeton. Tony Randall provides support as Peter Ramsey, Webster's long-suffering boss. Edie Adams appears as Rebel Davis, a model who assists Webster's schemes. The cast also includes Jack Oakie as J. Paxton Miller, Jack Kruschen as Dr. Linus Tyler, and Ann B. Davis as Millie. Howard St. John and Joe Flynn appear in roles related to the advertising industry and the subsequent legal proceedings.

Production

Production was handled by Universal-International under the supervision of producer and co-writer Stanley Shapiro. Director Delbert Mann, known for his work on ''Marty'', helmed the project. The screenplay, written by Shapiro and Paul Henning, continued the successful formula of sophisticated comedy established in ''Pillow Talk''. Filming took place primarily at the Universal Studios lot. The musical score was composed by Frank De Vol, and the cinematography was managed by Arthur E. Arling, an Academy Award winner for his work on ''The Greatest Show on Earth''.

Release

Lover Come Back was released in the United States in December 1961 by Universal Pictures. The film was marketed heavily on the renewed pairing of Hudson and Day following their previous box office success. It enjoyed a widespread theatrical run throughout North America and was later distributed internationally. The film has since been released on various home media formats, including VHS, DVD, and through digital platforms.

Reception

Upon release, the film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the chemistry between Rock Hudson and Doris Day and the sharp, witty script. It was a commercial success, becoming one of the top-grossing films of the year. The screenplay by Stanley Shapiro and Paul Henning was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. In his review for The New York Times, critic Bosley Crowther noted the film's energetic humor. The performance of Tony Randall was also frequently highlighted by publications such as Variety.

Legacy

The film is considered a classic of the comedy of remarriage subgenre and a defining entry in the series of Rock Hudson-Doris Day comedies. It solidified their status as a premier comedic team in Hollywood. The film's satirical take on the advertising industry remains relevant, and it is often cited alongside ''Pillow Talk'' and ''Send Me No Flowers'' as a highlight of early 1960s American comedy. It has been preserved and celebrated by institutions like the Library of Congress and is frequently featured in retrospectives of classic Hollywood cinema on networks such as Turner Classic Movies.

Category:1961 films Category:American romantic comedy films Category:Universal Pictures films