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 founders periodically in going for the wink-wink, nudge-nudge that is overplayed and over-stays its hand. 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.
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 founders periodically in going for the wink-wink, nudge-nudge that is overplayed and over-stays its hand. 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.