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Whereas "Pillow Talk" introduced us to the "glamorous" Doris Day, "Midnight Lace" certainly focused on both the glamorous and the outright beautiful woman. This is the Doris Day movie that, over the years, has come to be my favourite. No expense was spared in its presentation. Physically, everything in it suggested beauty, from the set to a stunning ensemble of costumes worn by Doris, who could, and did, give every then current model, a "run for the money"! All of this was set up brilliantly to contrast the evil surrounding the villain involved in nefarious scheming. (The elevator scene, and the "stairs" scenes were particularly effective.) This "chiller-thriller" was engrossing in its presentation, and was able to rely on the varied talents of all the fine actors who were used to present it to the public. I feel that it was an Oscar-worthy attempt on Doris' part and she can certainly stand proud for her efforts in the role. Bravo!

If that telephone voice doesn't give you the creeps, you are one tough cookie! Don't be fooled because this film stars Doris Day, noted for her frothy, professional virgin roles in movies with Rock Hudson, et al. This is another Ms. Day, although the movie showcases her in some great clothes. Driven to the brink of insanity by anonymous threatening phone calls which nobody believes, she plays it to the hilt. The elevator scene is especially gripping. John Gavin is totally miscast and is bland, as usual. The rest of the cast is top drawer....Rex Harrison, suave and sophisticated....Myrna Loy, as the worldly aunt, is wonderful.....and the greatest of English support players, John Williams, repeating his inspector role from Dial M for Murder. In a small part is Anthony Dawson, the perfect villain,also from Dial M for Murder. Herbert Marshall and Richard Ney are good in small roles. This looks and feels like a Hitchcock picture. You may guess the ending but it is worth the watch to see Doris Day give her all. Besides, everybody likes a good thriller and this fits the bill!

After watching most of her other films, with Rock Hudson, and

James Garner, this is a major departure for Doris Day. Midnight

Lace, requires an actress of considerable ability, but Day proves

up the task. Her performance is one of the best that I have every

seen. She plays the wealthy wife of Rex Harrison, who is having

financial problems, running the family firm. After receiving several

phone calls, threatening her life, she has problems proving to the

police, and Harrison, that the calls really took place.

Other threads of the story,including Roddy McDowall as the

penniless son of Day's maid, Herbert Marshall as a gambler with

money troubles, and John Gavin,as the builder, with flashbacks

from the war, there is no lack of possible suspects,who may be

threatening Day. This film has the same look and feel as ‘Dial M for Murder' so that

is as good a recommendation as anybody could want. 8 out of 10.

American Kit Preston (Doris Day) lives in London with husband Anthony (Rex Harrison). She starts being stalked and getting phone calls by a man saying he's going to kill her. But nobody else is around when he calls. Is he real or is she going crazy?

A VERY loose remake of "Gaslight". The film is far-fetched (especially at the end) and full of obvious red herrings. Also there were one or two plot threads never adequately explained at the end. Still, this was entertaining. It's very glossy with breath-taking sets and 17 costume changes (!!!) by Day--but this IS a Ross Hunter movie (he did "Imitation of Life" which had the same kind of treatment). So, even when the movie slows down there's always something to look at.

There's mostly solid acting by the entire cast. Harrison was just so-so as the husband but everybody else was fine. John Gavin pops up a few times just being incredibly handsome but actually isn't that bad. Myrna Loy steals the show as Aunt Bea in every scene she's in--and check out the incredibly ugly yellow hat with green sash she wears at one point! Best of all is Day. You might think she would be terrible in a straight dramatic role but she's actually quite good. Her terror at what's happening is totally believable and there's an incredible scene where she has a complete nervous breakdown. She hated making this film because it emotionally wore her down--she vowed never again to do a thriller. That's too bad--she was so good here.

So it's not believable but is still worth watching. Recommended.

I caught this one on Encore while staying home from school, and I was surprised at the many twists and Hitchcock-like additions. It was really entertaining.

Doris Day plays the role of Kit, an American woman living in London with her businessman husband Tony. Almost immediately, we are introduced to the story of someone threatening her continuously, first in a fog-shrouded park, then over the phone, countless times. It gets progressively worse and worse, and Tony and her Aunt Bea, who has come to stay for a few weeks, begin to suspect the credibility in it all.

This is a great movie. Fans of Hitchcock may be impressed. And the acting is great. Doris Day is thoroughly convincing, especially when she begins to go hysterical at it all after Bea picks up the phone on the mysterious caller. But thoroughout the film, she plays a strong character. Bea is also a great character, and very amusing. Overall, the film does very well. The ending has many twists you don't think to suspect, though, I would have expected more with the scenes on the scaffolding. Oh well. Still, I recommend this film to all Hitchcock fans and anyone who likes older suspense movies. This one is great.