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By
NICK ZEGARAC
Yet another entry into the
mindlessly stupid romantic comedy that began to
take over films during the 1950s and dominated
film culture throughout the '60s, "The Glass
Bottom Boat" (1966) concerns itself with a bit of
cold war humor dipped in fourteen carrot satire.
It stars Doris Day as a glamorous "chicken of the
sea." Swathed in mermaid garb and dropped off the
coast of Catalina Island, Jen meets Bruce
Templeton (Rod Taylor) after his fish hook
accidentally reels in Jen's bathing suit without
Jen in it. This initial cute meet leads to an
unexpected but predictable discovery that Bruce is
a big fish at the research establishment where Jen
works -- how original.
Smitten with his discovery, Bruce decides to hire
Jennifer under the false assumption that he
desires her literary wit -- and not just her -- to
help pen his life story. But there are stormy seas
ahead when a close friend, General Wallace Bleeker
(Edward Andrews) believes that Jennifer is
actually a Russian spy. To this end a hilarious
stake out begins with the likes of Homer Cripps
(Paul Lynde) and Julius Pritter (Dom DeLuise).
Director Frank Tashlin is at times clearly
grasping for things to say, while the tongue in
cheek screenplay by Everett Freeman flounders
periodically in going for the wink-wink,
nudge-nudge that's overplayed. What is remarkable
about The Glass Bottom Boat is the genuine
romantic chemistry between Rod Taylor and Doris
Day. Their marvelous pairing keeps the comedy
afloat and the romance alive in what is otherwise
a very generic and one gag wonder doing its best
not to drown.
The anamorphic transfer from Warner Bros. is a
real treat. Colors are rich and vibrant. Blacks
are deep and solid. Whites are clean. Shadow and
contrast levels are, for the most part, bang on.
There is some minor fading to consider and the
overall dated characteristic, but neither should
distract from your appreciation of this film.
Dialogue is decidedly forward sounding with no
spread across the channels. Some vintage short
subjects round out this presentation's extra
features. |
