Tunnel of Love (1958)

Ok Movie.

This movie is deffinately not one of Doris Day's Best. Doris Day plays a sweet and innocent lady who wants to have a baby but they keep trying and can't have one so they contact the Rock-A-Bye Adoption Agency. Well the Investigator comes to the house at a bad time. Doris's husband Richard Widmark is chasing a mouse. And the playboy next Door. Gig Young is over and starts making advances towards her. Well in a few minnutes she is starting to leave when Doris and Gig Youngs wife come in and they see what is happening. Well Doris talks to Richard but she can't find out anything and the adoption agency says she must be going. Then Gig convinces Richard to lay back a little bit and gives him some tranquilizers. The next thing we know Richard is riding in his car with the Adoption agency. Then he falls asleep and she drives him to a hotel. The next morning he finds himself in a hotel. Well he hides the fact from his wife. Then they get a call from Rock-A-Bye and they say they have a baby for them. Well when Doris sees it she thinks it looks to much like Richard. Well everybody thinks that and one day Doris sends Richards mother a letter and Richards mother sends her a pic of Richard when he was a baby. And she shows it to Richard and he says when did you have that pic of the baby taken. And she says Ha I knew it this is a picture of you when you were little. Well the movie ends well. July 11, 2004

Doris wants to be a parent, but her husband...

Married couple, Doris Day and Richard Widmark want to adopt a baby and of course they have been trying the natural way too. They have wonderful neighbors Gig Young and, who have children of their own currently in camp and one expected. The lady from the Rock-A-Bye Foundation comes around the neighborhood to investigate the parents-to-be. She must ask the neighbors their references of Doris and Richard. Now Richard goes to the front door, not knowing that the investigator is at the front door. he is in his underwear and chasing a mouse with a liquor bottle in his hand. Not a very good impression to start with. What else could happen to mortify Doris Day who is being so naturally proper and decent and yet her husband is not...plenty can happen. Cute film! Directed by dancer/actor/singer Gene Kelly. Nice realistic sets. May 9, 2004

Could Have Been Better...

I like Richard Widmark, and absolutely love his movies. I have yet to see a "bad" one, or one I did not like. However, the part in this movie was far too lightweight for him. He's much too good of an actor to be in such of a role. He's best in tough-guy parts. He always fits those like a glove. This film, which is about a couple's desire to have children, doesn't do him justice. He was miscast in this part. Doris Day is sweet and lovely, as usual, while Gig Young is totally annoying. His part could have been deleted completely. The story itself is pretty good, but as I said before, it could have been better. April 29, 2004

HAS ONE OF THE BEST COMEDY PLOTS-GREAT!

This is one of the best movie comedies. Has a great plot and good acting by everyone, including Gig Young. Doris seldom makes a bad movie--and this is NOT A BAD ONE. January 24, 2004

"TUNNEL" DIGS FOR AND MINES A FEW LAUGHS!

"The Tunnel of Love" was Doris Day's third film for MGM and probably ranks as her least memorable.

Shot in a matter of weeks, it clearly betrays its theatrical roots, being based on a popular Broadway hit which later became a staple for summer stock productions for many years.

Despite it's tight budget and shooting schedule, it surprisingly lost money. Miss Day was nominated for a Golden Globe as Best Actress and received the coveted Laurel Award from Motion Picture Exhibitor Magazine for being the most popular female star in films, the first of eight consecutive awards as most Popular Actress by this publication. None of this, however, saved "Tunnel of Love", which does provide some amusing moments despite a slightly overlong running time which allows interest to sometimes wane.

Gene Kelly directed the talented cast in his final film at MGM after more than 15 years under contract. Had original plans worked out a decade later, he'd have again directed Miss Day in "Hello Dolly" which Richard Zanuck initially wanted as a vehicle for the gifted blonde.

Doris Day and Richard Widmark play a Connecticut couple who want to have a baby. The film's plot evolves around those efforts as well as a lot of misunderstandings which are better seen than described.

As always, Miss Day is a delight. Her comedic talent is second to none and she makes the most of the sometimes tepid situations, giving it the benefit of her personality and skill at making you believe everything she says. Fabled Hollywood Hairstylist Sydney Guilaroff who worked on this film as well as several others with Miss Day told me personally that "...Doris was the most professional actress I have ever encountered. She always knew her lines, never kept people waiting and treated the crew with the same dignity and kindness that she treated her co-stars...." A highlight is Miss Day's exuberant rendition of "Runaway Skiddadle Skidoo", a peppy little song that even allows co-star Richard Widmark to sing a bit of."

Widmark surprises with a very charming and easygoing comic performance. He and Miss Day work well together and it's too bad they didn't have better material to serve them.

Gig Young is in his usual fine form in this the third of four on-screen performances opposite Miss Day. Elisabeth Fraser in the second of four roles opposite Miss Day displays her usual polish. Gia Scala adds window dressing and the viewer will come away not feeling they'd wasted their time but with the talent involved probably wishing for a sweeter aftertaste. Perhaps color would have brightened the proceedings in more ways than one. May 28, 2003

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