Send Me No Flowers (1964)
99-100 mins | Comedy | 14 October 1964
Cast:
Rock Hudson, Doris Day, Tony Randall [ More ]Director:
Norman JewisonWriter:
Julius J. EpsteinProducer:
Harry KellerCinematographer:
Daniel FappEditor:
J. Terry WilliamsProduction Designers:
Alexander Golitzen, Robert ClatworthyProduction Companies:
Martin Melcher Productions, Universal PicturesNorman Barasch and Carroll Moore’s stage play Send Me No Flowers debuted 5 Dec 1960 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on Broadway, where it ran until 7 Jan 1961. Despite its short time on Broadway, the show enjoyed success at local playhouses around the country, and on 6 May 1963, LAT announced that producer Harry Keller had acquired rights for a screen adaptation. The project was the third and final collaboration of Rock Hudson, Doris Day, and Tony Randall for Universal Pictures following the popularity of Pillow Talk (1959, see entry) and Lover Come Back (1961, see entry).
According to the 2 Jul 1963 DV, Keller and screenwriter Julius J. Epstein prepared for the production by viewing a performance of the play at the Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago, IL. That fall, an 18 Oct 1963 DV news story announced that Norman Jewison had stepped down from his position as executive producer of The Judy Garland Show (CBS, 29 Sep 1963—29 Mar 1964) to direct the picture. One month later, DV reported that a week of rehearsals was underway with the three principal cast members, after which the 3 Dec 1963 DV brief stated that Jewison and Keller had taken a small production team to scout potential locations in San Francisco, CA.
The 20 Nov 1963 DV claimed Jewison was discussing a possible “cameo” appearance by actor James Arness, but the role eventually went to Clint Walker.
Although a 19 Dec 1963 DV news item indicated that principal photography was scheduled to begin that ...
Norman Barasch and Carroll Moore’s stage play Send Me No Flowers debuted 5 Dec 1960 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on Broadway, where it ran until 7 Jan 1961. Despite its short time on Broadway, the show enjoyed success at local playhouses around the country, and on 6 May 1963, LAT announced that producer Harry Keller had acquired rights for a screen adaptation. The project was the third and final collaboration of Rock Hudson, Doris Day, and Tony Randall for Universal Pictures following the popularity of Pillow Talk (1959, see entry) and Lover Come Back (1961, see entry).
According to the 2 Jul 1963 DV, Keller and screenwriter Julius J. Epstein prepared for the production by viewing a performance of the play at the Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago, IL. That fall, an 18 Oct 1963 DV news story announced that Norman Jewison had stepped down from his position as executive producer of The Judy Garland Show (CBS, 29 Sep 1963—29 Mar 1964) to direct the picture. One month later, DV reported that a week of rehearsals was underway with the three principal cast members, after which the 3 Dec 1963 DV brief stated that Jewison and Keller had taken a small production team to scout potential locations in San Francisco, CA.
The 20 Nov 1963 DV claimed Jewison was discussing a possible “cameo” appearance by actor James Arness, but the role eventually went to Clint Walker.
Although a 19 Dec 1963 DV news item indicated that principal photography was scheduled to begin that day, filming was stalled when Doris Day fell ill with the flu. A 27 Dec 1963 DV production chart reported a new start date of 23 Dec 1963, but the 31 Dec 1963 edition revealed that Day had since been admitted to the Glendale Hospital and would be unable to work until after the New Year. On 13 Jan 1964, DV stated that the unit had moved from the Universal back lot in Universal City, CA, to the Riviera Country Club in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of western Los Angeles for three days of filming. Production was completed in early Mar 1964, as indicated by the 18 Mar 1964 DV.
The 21 Jan 1964 DV announced that Clifford Stine replaced Daniel Fapp as director of photography when Fapp bowed out due to a “painful sinus infection.”
Send Me No Flowers marked the final motion picture of sound mixer Joe Lapis, who retired after a forty-four-year career at Universal.
A 13 Jul 1964 DV brief noted that audiences responded poorly to a dream sequence featuring Day in a black wig, which Jewison conceded would likely be removed from the final cut.
The 12 Aug 1964 DV announced that a clip from the film would be integrated into an episode of The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS, 26 Sep 1962—23 Mar 1971) to promote the picture before its release.
Send Me No Flowers opened 14 Oct 1964 in theaters and drive-ins across Los Angeles, and 12 Nov 1964 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Judy and George Kimball have been happily married for 8 years despite George's hopeless hypochondria. One day George visits his doctor about an imaginary chest pain and overhears him discussing another patient. Assuming that the conversation is about him, George concludes that he has but a few weeks to live. After revealing the tragic news to Arnold Nash, his neighbor and best friend, George puts $1,000 down on three cemetery plots for himself, his wife, and her next husband and then sets out to find someone to take his place. He decides upon Bert Power, a college friend of Judy's who is now an oil magnate. But George's attempts to throw his wife and Bert together only serve to convince Judy that George is trying to cover up an affair of his own. Her suspicions double when she finds George in a compromising position with Linda Bullard, a recently-separated friend whom George is trying to protect from Winston Burr, a suburban wolf. To clear himself, George is forced to tell Judy his terrible news. Her initial horror quickly turns to rage when she learns from George's doctor that he is in perfect physical health. Arnold's advice, given while he is drunk, only worsens the situation, and Judy, now certain there is another woman, begins packing. But when she learns of George's purchase of the cemetery plots, she can no longer doubt his sincerity. George promises to forget his hypochondria forever, and as Judy throws away all his medicine bottles, he celebrates their reconciliation by opening a bottle of champagne and planting a punch on the jaw of the meddlesome Winston ...
Judy and George Kimball have been happily married for 8 years despite George's hopeless hypochondria. One day George visits his doctor about an imaginary chest pain and overhears him discussing another patient. Assuming that the conversation is about him, George concludes that he has but a few weeks to live. After revealing the tragic news to Arnold Nash, his neighbor and best friend, George puts $1,000 down on three cemetery plots for himself, his wife, and her next husband and then sets out to find someone to take his place. He decides upon Bert Power, a college friend of Judy's who is now an oil magnate. But George's attempts to throw his wife and Bert together only serve to convince Judy that George is trying to cover up an affair of his own. Her suspicions double when she finds George in a compromising position with Linda Bullard, a recently-separated friend whom George is trying to protect from Winston Burr, a suburban wolf. To clear himself, George is forced to tell Judy his terrible news. Her initial horror quickly turns to rage when she learns from George's doctor that he is in perfect physical health. Arnold's advice, given while he is drunk, only worsens the situation, and Judy, now certain there is another woman, begins packing. But when she learns of George's purchase of the cemetery plots, she can no longer doubt his sincerity. George promises to forget his hypochondria forever, and as Judy throws away all his medicine bottles, he celebrates their reconciliation by opening a bottle of champagne and planting a punch on the jaw of the meddlesome Winston Burr.
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