source: Midnight Lace

Trailer—Midnight Lace

Midnight Lace

OK, first off, I generally like Doris Day...but this movie has got to be one of the most overrated of all time. I imagine if you have a faint heart this might be really frightening. I grant you the phone voice is probably up there with the eeriest I've heard in a film. But when do we get to hear it? About 4 or 5 times, and mostly at the end of the movie. It's really hard for me to get worked up when --- for the bulk of the film --- Day just says "Yes, I'm here....I'm listening" and then goes into hysterical screaming fits. Why wasn't the voice used more and augmented with more clever means of tormenting? It all seems very bland and anticlimactic. And, to echo other reviewers....the hysteria scene on the stairs...come on! That is hands down one of the worst performances in cinema history!

I first saw this movie as a child, 25-30 years ago. Doris Day plays an American woman living in London with her British husband. There is a crazy guy stalking her, naturally totally freaking her out. At first, it's just a voice coming from who-knows-where, when she's out at night taking a walk. That voice scared me so bad (in about 1978), I probably had nightmares for months about it. Even today, it gives me chills. Doris Day is incredible (as always) in a rare dramatic performance. Rex Harrison is equally good as her disconnected hubby. It's so nice to see people like John Williams & Myrna Loy as part of the great cast. The surprise ending was so terrifying to me as a kid (why did my parents always let me watch inappropriate movies?), I wanted to jump out of my skin, & then invite Doris over for dinner & a hot bath! She endured so much as Kit Preston, I felt so bad for her! Would recommend to anyone who likes scary, suspenseful--but not gory--movies.

After watching most of her other films, with Rock Hudson, and James Garner, this is a major departure for Doris Day. Midnight Lace, requires an actress of considerable ability, but Day proves up the task. Her performance is one of the best that I have every seen. She plays the wealthy wife of Rex Harrison, who is having financial problems, running the family firm. After receiving several phone calls, threatening her life, she has problems proving to the police, and Harrison, that the calls really took place. Other threads of the story,including Roddy McDowall as the penniless son of Day's maid, Herbert Marshall as a gambler with money troubles, and John Gavin,as the builder, with flashbacks from the war, there is no lack of possible suspects,who may be threatening Day. This film has the same look and feel as ‘Dial M for Murder' so that is as good a recommendation as anybody could want. 8 out of 10.

I haven't seen this since 1960 and it was on AMC TV today. I still think it is one of the most exciting and well written mysteries ever. A who-dunnit mystery with husband and wife, Doris Day and Rex Harrison, with other great stars John Gavin, Myrna Loy, Roddy McDowell, and Herbert Marshall. Doris puts her heart and soul into this, and she is good at weeping! We don't know who is driving her mad until near the end. Should we tell who done it? See it and I believe you'll like it! I don't know if Doris was nominated for this. Does anyone know?

"I'm going to kill you, Mrs. Preston!" ...Such are the terrifying phone messages Doris Day gets while living in London with classy, urbane husband Rex Harrison. She can't prove the phone-threats, nor does her story about being shoved in front of traffic hold any water, so everybody thinks Dodo is losing it. Could be, she breaks down in a torrent of tears in at least three scenes. But, this being a glossy Ross Hunter production (and one full of solid talent), it's never boring and manages to hold your interest. The identity of the nutcase is fairly easy to guess, but even after the unveiling there's some suspense, with Doris climbing down an unfinished building in the dark. Handsome production doesn't shock or surprise, yet it's a respectable, middle-of-the-road thriller. **1/2 from ****

As macabre as it sounds, I really enjoyed seeing Doris Day (The Man Who Knew Too Much) get terrorized. She was so convincing in this role especially when she provided a tour de force in acting during that scene where she finally breaks down. I can't believe other commentators were not as moved by this as I was. Rex Harrison (The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Cleopatra, My Fair Lady) is also very good in this role though I don't think he is challenged very much here. John Williams is once again the diligent inspector as he was in the two Alfred Hitchcock hits Dial M For Murder and To Catch a Thief, both of which coincidentally starred Grace Kelly. The great Roddy McDowell (Planet of the Apes) is here just as a red herring but he is welcome nonetheless. All in all a good thriller, 8/10.

I've loved Doris Day in her most famous comedy roles, I loved her "Calamity Jane" and always though she gave real depth to her American wife and mother in "The Man Who Knew Too Much" But Doris in "Midnight Lace" is something else. The suspension of disbelief that the film expects from its audience is totally achievable because of her. She goes through it for real and manages to involve us and to actually care for this rich American lady. Her anguish rings true and that's all we need to get involved. There is not a single moment within the preposterous plot in which we catch her acting, that in itself lifts this yarn to unexpected levels. Terrific fun. Rex Harrison plays Professor Higgin's brother with the same kind of aplomb. Myrna Loy is a hoot. John Gavin , beautifully wooden as usual, Roddy McDowell is a creepy delight and Hermione Baddely creates something with her seconds on the screen. Thank you Doris for a surprising thrilling fun ride.