That Touch of Mink

That Touch of Mink
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Delbert Mann
Written by	Stanley Shapiro Nate Monaster
Produced by	Robert Arthur Martin Melcher Stanley Shapiro
Starring	Cary Grant Doris Day Gig Young Audrey Meadows
Cinematography	Russell Metty
Edited by	Ted J. Kent
Music by	George Duning
Production companies	Granley Company Arwin Productions Nob Hill Productions
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date	June 14, 1962 (1962-06-14) (New York City)
Running time	99 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$17.6 million

That Touch of Mink is a 1962 American Eastmancolor comedy romance film directed by Delbert Mann and starring Cary Grant, Doris Day, Gig Young and Audrey Meadows.

Plot

Cathy Timberlake, a New York City career woman, meets Philip Shayne after his Rolls Royce splashes her dress with mud while she is on her way to a job interview. Unable to go to the interview because of her appearance, Cathy goes to the unemployment office to collect her check. There she is subjected to the unwanted advances of Beasely, who only wants to bed Cathy.

Philip proposes a romantic affair, while Cathy is holding out for marriage. Watching from the sidelines are Philip's financial manager, Roger, who sees a therapist, because he feels guilty about helping his boss with his numerous conquests, and Cathy's roommate, Connie Emerson, who knows what Philip is seeking. In a minor subplot, Roger discusses the events as they occur to his therapist Dr. Gruber, but omits mention of Cathy. As a result, his therapist believes that Roger is considering a homosexual relationship with Philip.

Philip wines and dines Cathy. He takes her to see the New York Yankees play baseball. They watch from the Yankees dugout (he owns part of the team). Cathy's complaints about the umpire while seated alongside Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Yogi Berra (playing themselves) cause umpire Art Passarella to throw all of them out of the game.

Philip's conscience weighs on him, so he withdraws an invitation to Bermuda, which only serves to make Cathy agree to go. While in Bermuda, anxiety-ridden over the evening's sexual implications, Cathy comes down with a nervous rash, much to her embarrassment and his frustration.

The Bermuda trip is repeated, but this time Cathy drinks to soothe her nerves and ends up drunk. While intoxicated, Cathy falls off the balcony onto an awning below. She is then carried in her pajamas through the crowded hotel lobby.

At the urging of Roger and Connie, who are convinced that Philip is in love with her, Cathy goes on a date with Beasley, whom she dislikes, to make Philip jealous. Her plan succeeds and she and Philip get married. On their honeymoon, he breaks out in a nervous rash himself. The film ends with Cathy and Philip months later, walking with their baby and Roger through a park. The two leave Roger alone with the baby for a few moments, during which time Dr. Gruber approaches him to ask how things are going with Philip. In response Roger joyously displays the baby, causing another misunderstanding with his therapist.

Cast

• Cary Grant as Philip Shayne
• Doris Day as Cathy Timberlake
• Gig Young as Roger
• Audrey Meadows as Connie
• John Astin as Beasley
• Alan Hewitt as Dr. Gruber, Roger's therapist
• Dick Sargent as Harry Clark
• Joey Faye as Short Man
• Laurie Mitchell as Showgirl
• John Fiedler as Mr. Smith
• Willard Sage as Tom Hodges
• Jack Livesey as Dr. Richardson
• Yogi Berra as Himself
• Mickey Mantle as Himself
• Roger Maris as Himself
• Dorothy Abbott as Stewardess (uncredited)
• Richard Deacon as Mr. Miller (uncredited)
• William Lanteau as Leonard (uncredited)
• Ralph Manza as Cab Driver (uncredited)

Paperback Novelization

In May 1962, Fawcett's line of Gold Medal Books issued a paperback novelization by-lined John Tessitore. It is unknown if this is the author's actual name or a pseudonym; novelization work tended to go to seasoned authors, and during that era, the "Tessitore" by-line only ever appeared on three Gold Medal film tie-ins. In any event, the novel is written in the first person, from the POV of Doris Day's character Cathy Timberlake.

Release

The film grossed $17,648,927 at the box office, earning $8.5 million in US theatrical rentals. It was the 4th highest-grossing film of 1962.

Reception

Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an approval rating of 78% based on reviews from 9 critics.

Awards and honors

• Nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Art Direction (Alexander Golitzen, Robert Clatworthy, George Milo), Best Sound (Waldon O. Watson) & Best Writing, Story and Screenplay — Written Directly for the Screen (Stanley Shapiro, Nate Monaster).
• 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.
• Won the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Written American Comedy.

Also, the film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:

• 2002: AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions – Nominated

Production notes

• Cary Grant was a big fan of The Honeymooners and Audrey Meadows in particular, and was responsible for getting her the part of Connie.
• In her autobiography, Doris Day wrote that Cary Grant was very professional and exacting with details, helping her with her wardrobe choices for the film and decorating the library set with his own books from home. However, he was a completely private person, totally reserved, and very distant. Their relationship on this film was amicable but totally devoid of give-and-take.
• When Roger (Gig Young) is showing Cathy (Doris Day) the list of potential husbands for her, we learn that one of the names on the list is Rock Hudson, Day's co-star in Pillow Talk, Lover Come Back, and Send Me No Flowers. In fact, Rock Hudson had expected to be cast as Philip, but director Delbert Mann wanted Cary Grant. Grant hated the finished film.

See also

• List of American films of 1962

External links

• That Touch of Mink at IMDb
• That Touch of Mink at AllMovie
• That Touch of Mink at the TCM Movie Database