Something's Got to Give (1962)

SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE is what MOVE OVER DARLING would have been had Marilyn Monroe not been fired by Fox and it's a shame it wasn't completed because what's here is choice. Monroe returns home after being on a desert isle with Tom Tryon only to find out husband Dean Martin is marrying Cyd Charisse. She tries to get him jealous with Wally Cox(!)substituting for Tryon. It's silly, fun and extremely well put together by the master George Cukor, who managed to squeeze out a lot with very little. Martin is Martin, Monroe is terrific (and stunning!) and Charisse is gorgeous. Phil Silvers pops up briefly as the insurance adjuster and Steve Allen is pretty funny as a then pop-psychiatrist. If nothing else, the film is of historic importance.

Doris Day made "Move Over Darling" as big favor to 20th Century Fox and as a chance to finish her contractual commitment with the company. 20th was in financial trouble with Elizabeth Taylor holding up production of "Cleopatra" in Rome and practically breaking the studio financially with delays, illness, etc. Meanwhile, in Hollywood, Marilyn Monroe couldn't get it together to film "Somethin's Gotta Give." She was late, couldn't remember lines, wasn't showing up for work...a real mess. After Monroe's death, Doris was asked to step in. She was box office bonanza and DEPENDABLE. Plus, she was the #1 ranked star in films.I didn't like Irene Dunne's version, I certainly thought that Marilyn Monroe's was inept and Doris Day's version was overblown.Among the three actresses/stars, Doris Day, of course was the best performer, but she was directed haphazardly in "Move Over Darling." If you compare her performance to Monroe's, you'll see a stark difference. Whereas Marilyn looked and acted drugged, Day was alert but following bad direction by Michael Gordon. On the DVD release of MOD, there is an extra feature "Doris vs Marilyn." Day wins.Tony Randall ("Let's Make Love") was once asked about appearing with both Marilyn and Doris. On Marilyn he said, "she had no talent at all! If you were standing off camera watching her do a scene, you'd shake your head and say, 'no, she'll never get by. But, the next day when you saw the rushes -- MAGIC on the screen! There was something she had going on with the camera. Hard to explain." On Doris Day ("Pillow Talk" "Lover Come Back" "Send Me No Flowers"): "Brilliant! One of the best actresses on the screen. She, herself, doesn't know how great she is. A natural." To me, it was painful watching Monroe in this role. I saw the outtakes and it was obvious that the rumors were true. Marilyn couldn't remember her lines, she was nervous and unsure...a total disaster. The only time she looked comfortable was when she was nude, swimming in the pool. In contrast, Day was the total professional. She showed up on time, knew her lines and finished the picture on time. "Move Over Darling" was a huge hit at the box office because all of Doris' pictures were at the time. I didn't like all of the picture, only parts. I thought Day was wonderful in the department store scene with Don Knotts and great with the slapstick through the car wash. She was also good in her scenes with Thelma Ritter. The rest was garbage.Monroe was even bad in the department store scene with Wally Cox. You could see how Cox was struggling...she was giving him NOTHING. Actors need feedback. If they don't get it from the other actor, their performance suffers. It must have been HELL acting with Monroe.

this movie is enchanting.Marilyn Monroe was more beautiful than in any other film.Soundtrack was good.Frank Sinatra was definitely good singer.actors were pretty good.it was without a doubt Marilyn's last word.this film was antiquated.no doubt this movie was viewable,but not something special.it was unfinished business, then it could been great.i completely understand why some guys here don't like this movie it's very antiquated,but it was a little bit disappointment,but not bad.Marilyn Monroe definitely awesome actress i like her film "Some Like It Hot" i recommend to watch it only to fans "Something's Got to Give".it's not good movie,but not bad too.

I think we're all very fortunate to have had even a glimpse of the most famous movie never made. My biggest hope with the ever expanding use of computer graphics, at some point in time, this movie could be "completed." Maybe a little over budget, and released 42 years later, but released nonetheless! Wouldn't it be wild to be able to create new movies using all of the old great stars? I agree with other reviewers that Marilyn looks wonderful as always and slimmed down from her previous movie. Of course one can't rate her performance using clips and snippets of remaining footage. But there should be much more in the can with the remainder of the cast. I often heard their scenes were shot, and then re-shot when Marilyn would not show up for days on end. Whatever the case might be, we're fortunate to have seen her final efforts on film.