In the late 50s and early 60s, as women struggled out of their domestic role and the war between the sexes was beginning to gear up, there arose in the movie world a phenomenon known as the “sex comedy”. It was the basic formula of Boy meets Girl. Girl slaps Boy face. Boy and Girl run around together before getting married. Even though these were billed as “sex comedies” and considered slightly risqué for their day, everyone seemed to get married before having sex.

The undisputed Queen of the Sex Comedy is Doris Day. She starred in several movies of that genre, including “Pillow Talk” (with Rock Hudson) and “With Six You Get Eggroll” (with Brian Keith). For my money, “That Touch of Mink” is perhaps the best of a good lot.

Cathy Timberlake (Day) is an unemployed New York city girl who shares an apartment with her friend Connie (Audrey Meadows). After she is splashed by a passing car, she meets Roger (Gig Young) who is assistant to Phillip Shayne (Cary Grant). She is angry about her drenched state and goes off on poor abused Roger who only hears how she wants to tell Mr. Shayne that his money does not buy people. That’s all Roger needed to hear to drag her to Phillip’s office. Roger is undergoing psychiatric treatment by a Dr. Gruber (who is using his patient for stock tips) because he feels he has sold out his life’s ambition by working for a fabulously high salary.

Of course, when Cathy meets Phillip, she falls immediately in love. After all, he is Cary Grant! After a whirlwind romp, Phillip shows her an apartment he is building and offers her an apartment. She asks if he is asking to marry her. Well, no, you see, he meant he would “take care of her”. Well, Cathy goes home and while Phillip is convincing himself that he is terrible for even thinking about deflowering young Miss Timberlake, she talks herself into going to Bermuda with him.

After buying her a new wardrobe and a mink coat (the symbol of money and kept women), Phillip meets Cathy at the beach hotel. He has planned an increasingly romantic day, cumulating in an increasingly romantic night. Cathy is haunted by visions of a bed and begins to believe that everyone knows exactly what her position is.

It’s a hilariously funny movie, aided by Doris Day’s pure charm and Cary Grant’s… well, he’s Cary Grant. The script keeps things moving along at a witty, speedy pace and the sets and the costumes are perfect. The only drawback to this movie is how outdated it appears. A mink coat is no longer a status present. Instead, it reflects a complete disregard for animal life. And who would dare give a present that may get ‘your girl’ soaked in animal blood if the right protest is going on? Also, I don’t think that many women of this decade would really hesitate to become a man’s mistress… especially a rich, handsome, man like, well, he’s Cary Grant!

However, even dated, the movie wears well. It is still funny, witty and charming. Watch for Dick Sargent (Bewitched) in the evening pool scene. John Astin (Addams Family) is also good as the slimy greaseball from the unemployment office. Will they end up together in matrimony? Will Phillip survive? Watch it and find out, it is worth it.




Recommended: Yes