Doctor, You've Got to Be Kidding!
| Doctor, You've Got to Be Kidding! | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Peter Tewksbury |
| Written by | Phillip Shuken |
| Produced by | Douglas Laurence |
| Starring | Sandra Dee George Hamilton |
| Music by | Kenyon Hopkins |
Production company | Trident Productions |
| Distributed by | MGM |
Release date | April 28, 1967 |
Running time | 94 mins. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1,387,000 (US/ Canada)[1] |
Doctor, You've Got to Be Kidding! is a 1967 film directed by Peter Tewksbury. It stars Sandra Dee and George Hamilton.[2]
Plot
Heather Halloran is about to give birth to a baby, chased after by three men who want to marry her. Before the birth happens, we flashback to the events that led to her becoming pregnant. Her mother wants Heather to be a singing star. She goes to work as a secretary for a rich man, Harlan Wycliff, and falls in love with him, but he does not want her to sing.
Cast
- Sandra Dee as Heather Halloran
- George Hamilton as Harlan W. Wycliff
- Celeste Holm as Louise Halloran
- Bill Bixby as Dick Bender
- Dick Kallman as Pat Murad
Production
The film was based on the debut novel by Los Angeles writer Patte Lee Mahan, Three for the Wedding, published in 1965. The Los Angeles Times called it "a highly entertaining and amusing book."[3] Film rights were bought by Trident Productions, a company established by director Delbert Mann, producer Douglas Laurence and writer Dale Wasserman. Mahan signed to do the screenplay and originally Charles Walters was to direct.[4]
The film was originally entitled Three for the Wedding, then This Way Out, Please before settling on Doctor, You've Got to be Kidding.[5]
Sandra Dee decided to do the film instead of one in London with Warren Beatty.[6] Her co-star was George Hamilton, who at the time was having a highly publicised romance with Lynda Bird, daughter of President Lyndon Johnson.[7]
It was Celeste Holm's first film since Bachelor Flat (1961). "It's kind of an Italian comedy set in Glendale," said Holm. "Like most Italian comedies, it's based on a tragic truth. When the film opens, a young girl is unmarried and pregnant."[8]
It was the first film Sandra Dee made after leaving Universal Studios, where she been under exclusive contract for ten years. She hoped the role would be a transitional one for her, leading to more grown up parts.[9]
Reception
Proposed Sequel
After the film was previewed, MGM commissioned Phillip Shuken to start writing a sequel to star Hamilton and Dee.[10] However no sequel resulted.
References
- ^ "Big Rental Films of 1967", Variety, 3 January 1968 p 25. Please note these figures refer to rentals accruing to the distributors.
- ^ http://www.allmovie.com/movie/doctor-youve-got-to-be-kidding-v89664
- ^ BOOKS FOR THE FAMILY: Complex Comedy of a Merry Angeleno SOLNER, RUTH B. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 28 Mar 1965: H17.
- ^ TRAIL OF TRIAL: Pioneers' Tragic Trek To Be Filmed -- Tanglewood to Tel Aviv -- Sequel By A.H. WEILER. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 29 Nov 1964: X11.
- ^ 'Scandal' to Become Musical Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 01 Aug 1966: c22.
- ^ Hunter Sees Stardom for 2 Newcomers Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Tribune (1963-Current file) [Chicago, Ill] 03 Jan 1966: c5.
- ^ Engagement? Lynda, Hamilton Are Mum By Winzola McLendon Washington Post Staff Writer. The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973) [Washington, D.C] 11 Apr 1966: B5.
- ^ Celeste Holm Is Where the Heart Is: in Glendale, Oshkosh, or Baghdad Clifford, Terry. Chicago Tribune (1963-Current file) [Chicago, Ill] 21 Aug 1966: g12.
- ^ It's D-Day for Sandra's Image Champlin, Charles. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 19 Oct 1966: d12.
- ^ MOVIE CALL SHEET: Diane Cilento Forms Unit Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 02 Sep 1966: C16.
External links
- Doctor, You've Got to Be Kidding! at IMDb
- Doctor, You've Got to Be Kidding![permanent dead link] at TCM
- Film information at Sandra Dee Fans
- Review of film at New York Times