Release Date: June 9th, 1966
Directed by: Frank Tashlin
Written by: Everett Freeman
Music by: Frank De Vol
Cast: Doris Day, Rod Taylor, Arthur Godfrey, Dom DeLuise
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 110 Minutes
Review:
When I was at my mum’s house over the holidays, I decided to visit her movie library. I grabbed a couple titles of films I had never seen and that she also recommended. I’ve never been a huge Doris Day fan but I figured that due to the synopsis and the inclusion of Rod Taylor and Dom DeLuise, that I’d check out The Glass Bottom Boat. Plus, it looked like it had a fun Tiki vibe mixed in with being a 60s spy film parody – kind of like those Matt Helm movies but without the awesomeness that is Dean Martin.
I enjoyed The Glass Bottom Boat for the most part. The gags were decent and the overall lightheartedness is something missing from movies these days.
While it had a high emphasis on sex, it still felt innocent and family friendly. Besides, nothing more than a kiss really happens and it isn’t as overtly sexual as the Bond films or the aforementioned Matt Helm movies.
However, you do see a male character in glorious drag and there is a scene where two men end up in bed together. The scene is the result of a prank but the awkward implications are apparent when they are discovered: champagne cork popping at the perfect moment.
Doris Day did a good job as the lead of the film and Taylor was as debonair as ever. The highlight of the film for me was DeLuise, who played a wimpy and bumbling character that was forced into being a spy by the main villain of the story. He was great and it made me appreciate his comedic abilities even more.
The Glass Bottom Boat is also a beautiful film. The landscapes and the set design are otherworldly. Sure, it parodies the popular spy genre of its day but the color palette and the style of this film are still spectacular.
This is far from a great movie but it is a fun romp guaranteed to bring a bit of joy to any rainy day.
Rating: 6/10
Talking Pulp 