Doris Day –often referred to as the “quintessential all-American girl” – received her only Best Actress Oscar nomination for her acting in the iconic role of Jan Morrow from the 1959 romantic comedy Pillow Talk.
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Pillow Talk tells the story of two neighbors who have never met, yet share one party line for their telephones. Day’s Morrow, a successful and sophisticated single woman, is infuriated by the playboy antics of Brad Allen (Rock Hudson) that she encounters every time she attempts to snatch control of the phone line from his attempts at wooing scores of other women. But when Allen finally meets his neighbor (although she is unaware that he is her neighbor), he is instantly attracted to her and sets about wooing her before finally falling in love.
The film, which is renowned for its revolution of the romantic comedy genre, reinvigorated both Day’s and Hudson’s careers. Here are five quotes concerning Day’s iconic performance:
1. “ Miss Day . . . has a delightful way of taking the romantic offensive against a man. Her dudgeons are as chic and spectacular as her nifty Jean Louis clothes, and her fall for Mr. Hudson's deceptions is as graceful as a ski-run down a hill.”
-The New York Times
2. “Given Doris’ traditionally virtuous screen personae, it might seem ironic that her most famous film would be this adorably tongue-in-cheek sex comedy. But, that’s exactly what makes Pillow Talk a classic.”
-Hub Pages
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3. “With her strength and style, she became a role model for a new generation of women who were working both in and outside the home.”
-GlamAmor
4. “Day brings to Pillow Talk her singular blend of sex appeal and wholesome virtuousness (not to mention innate class). Looking trendy in Jean Louis' haute couture, she's the rare actress who could impart warm sincerity and an icy veneer at the very same time. Pillow Talk also redefined Day as a strong, independent woman as the sixties began.”
-The Digital Bits
5. “ Pillow Talk was the first and arguably best of some half-dozen movies that irreversibly established Day as the Virgin Queen of wholesome sex comedies during the mid-20th century.”
-CultureMap Houston
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