That Touch of Mink (1962)

"That Touch of Mink" has its high points as well as its lows. The film's main theme revolves around undulating social morays of a cultural transition which, if one examines history, aren't all that transitional as they would appear to be. Day, Grant, Meadows and Young give some solid performances in an early 60's "sex" comedy. The humor is suggestive rather than explicit, which should create some fun for the more conservative minded. I can't say I laughed a whole lot (if at all), but I did enjoy the film on its own terms.

Regrettably the currant DVD offered by Artisan Entertainment is sub par. "That Touch of Mink" isn't the greatest film ever made, but, like so many other offerings of the period, it is a solid piece of cinema, and deserves a better visual release.

Currently Artisan Home Entertainment bolsters a "Digitally Mastered" disk, but the only mastering that was done was to put the film onto DVD format in the first place, and nothing more. I say nothing more because the film image is absolutely horrible. There's lots of video noise overlaying the film image, and where the film is shown in widescreen format, it's hardly an anamorphic transfer. Instead the consumer is given a low resolution transfer which, were it not for Day, would not be worth watching.

The audio is clear, even though its monaural. A remastered soundtrack really isn't required for a film like this, as there's really nothing more to listen to other than dialog and incidental music. That is there're no explosions, gun shots, rockets, bands or other things demanding a digital 5.1 mastered soundtrack. Still, having said all this, good clean audio should accompany a good clean image.

Too bad this disc is missing both.

Fmovies: A surprisingly funny film with some very good comedic performances. In particular, a wonderfully, gleefully neurotic Gig Young as Cary Grant's secretary. Love the scene when he asks his secretary to let down her hair and then take off her glasses. She remains unattractive. "Funny, he says, it always works in the movies." And what a great and bizarre first name Gig is.

Audrey Meadows is very good as well, as Doris Day's cynical roommate, and John Astin (of "The Addams Family" fame) nearly steals the show as a smarmy Government clerk. "Muscatel, for my lady's pleasure." Sure the plot is dated and predictable, but everything is handled with a light touch and the movie is very watchable. Love the scenes in the automat simply for nostaglia's sake.

Funniest moment. Gig young getting slapped by a hand that emerges from the tiny automat window.

While going to receive her unemployment paycheck and to a job interview later, the coat of the naive Cathy Timberlake (Doris Day) is splashed with mud by the Rolls Royce of the millionaire businessman Philip Shayne (Cary Grant). Later he sees her going to have lunch from his office and sends his financial adviser Roger (Gig Young) to give some money to Cathy to compensate her loss. Cathy feels offended with the offer and she goes to Philip's office with the intention of throwing the money on his face. However, when she sees the handsome Philip, she immediately falls in love with him. They date and Cathy expects that Philip proposes to marry her, but he does not have this intention.

"That Touch of Mink" is a silly and naive but funny romantic comedy. The premise is dumb and is irritating to see Cathy buying expensive clothing and traveling to Bermudas with a playboy expecting to give nothing in return. But the comedy has many funny situations, like the just married couple in the motel or Roger being mistakenly taken as Philip in Cathy's apartment building. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Carícias de Luxo" ("Caresses of Luxury")

That Touch of Mink fmovies. This is a movie that I can enjoy watching over and over again, and every time there's something new to notice. It would be a difficult movie to re-make today, morality having changed the way it has, but as a slice of history, it works well. The script is really well-written, with some great one-liners and sharp dialogue, and who can resist Cary Grant? A hot drink, a plate of cookies, and "That Touch of Mink" add up to a very pleasant way to pass an evening.

Cary Grant and Doris Day are at their comedic best in this howling tail that never gets dull. As usual Ms. Day looks stunning and Cary Grant gives Rock Hudson a lesson in comedic timing. Gig Young is sensational. Audrey Meadows adds just the right touch. Also, add a star if you remember Horn and Hardarts Automat.

People complaining of the dumb/dated plot need to remember that this film is one of a genre and that films of that genre all have the same basic plot. Don't go into it expecting to find something else; allow yourself to accept the basic premise. This is one of THE best of the perpetual-virgin genre, and of course Day was the leading star of same. The script sparkles and the supporting players really add to the total package. John Astin is delightfully smarmy as the cheapskate lothario ("Muscatel, for my lady's pleasure") and John Fiedler is the ultimate mama's boy. Gig Young is unforgettable. Enjoy this fantastically silly movie!