Caprice

[ray]

Love the line, "the spy who came in from the cold cream"!

[ray]

TCM had a segment of Movies that deserve a second look despite the fact they did poorly at the box office or audience appeal. One such film is Caprice. Doris didn't even want to do Caprice but someone must have thought it had potential. The line The Spy Who Came In From The Cold Cream might have been a better title. It Had everything, flipper, batman and a twisted drag queen! Among the falseness and mod costumes and wigs Doris remains real and true to herself. Sean Connery should have been her co-star but could you see her flipping Sean into a bed of flowers? There has never been a scene such as her going to see her own movie with Caprice playing in the background. A funny scene where a naked lady answers the door and yells at the policeman to get outta here! Richard Harris mentions even the Beatles and Lady Bird. The opening shots are cool with Doris striding to the iffel tower in boots, sunglasses and oversized hat. She looked beautifully odd. We find there was dope in the cold cream and her father was killed by a man with many woman hideing the fact he liked to dress like one. We even had a happy ending with Doris and Richard swinging back and forth in an oversized bed attached to the ceiling. Robert Osborne take note.....

[jmichael]

Caprice is a guilty pleasure if there ever was one. Like Ray, I've always enjoyed the clever opening title sequence and I laugh when the camera makes it obvious that a double is pretending to be Doris walking around Paris. I've always admired Frank Tashlin's gift for staging physical comedy set pieces and he found a gifted playmate in Doris Day. Much of the fun in Caprice stems from Doris expertly executing one elaborate piece of slapstick after another. I even like the outrageously mod outfits and wigs. Ray Aghayan showed no fear in his designs and I applaud Doris for wearing them so well. The red and white polka dot dress and matching headband still slay me. I wish the script had been better and that Doris has more chemistry with Richard Harrris, but Caprice is pretty groovy in a goofy sort of way.

Michael

[Johnny]

Caprice may have been a much better picture if Doris was paired with a skilled comedian like Jack Lemon. There was a lack of chemistry with Richard Harris. Caprice captures the light-heartness and fun of the 1960's. Jack Lemon is a master of farce -(think Some Like It Hot). Caprice is an enjoyable film but with different casting it could have been great.

Other actors that were not cast well in Doris' films are Ray Bolger in April In Paris and Bob Cummings in Lucky Me. I would have liked to have seen Robert Mitchum or Clint Eastwood work with Doris in The Ballad of Josie. I would have liked to seen Tyrone Power cast with Doris in both April In Paris and Lucky Me.

[Jas1]

I agree Micheal about Caprice.

[Toby_Martin]

Caprice is a guilty pleasure if there ever was one. Like Ray, I've always enjoyed the clever opening title sequence and I laugh when the camera makes it obvious that a double is pretending to be Doris walking around Paris. I've always admired Frank Tashlin's gift for staging physical comedy set pieces and he found a gifted playmate in Doris Day. Much of the fun in Caprice stems from Doris expertly executing one elaborate piece of slapstick after another. I even like the outrageously mod outfits and wigs. Ray Aghayan showed no fear in his designs and I applaud Doris for wearing them so well. The red and white polka dot dress and matching headband still slay me. I wish the script had been better and that Doris has more chemistry with Richard Harrris, but Caprice is pretty groovy in a goofy sort of way.

Michael

amen!

[Renie]

In honor of DD's birthday, I am rewatching all of her films. I just finished Caprice (#34 of 39 for me). I now understand why the only other time I watched it was when it first came out in 1967 (?). It is one goofy film! It has a few redeeming factors though. The best thing about it is that Doris Day is in it. Next best is the comedy including the physical things and some of the one liners. I just howled over the line about naming a freckle remover cream after her among others. And, some of the scenery was great. Brought back good memories of my trips to Europe. Back to the film. When it was over, I just sat there, saying out loud to myself, "What just happened here?" I had a terrible time trying to follow who was working for who and for what purpose. I don't like to have to put so much effort into watching a movie.

Renie

[webmaster]

Yes, it's a funny film, isn't it, Renie? Not really worthy of Doris and cooked up by Marty to make money out of the film fashions of the time, James Bond, The Man From Uncle, etc. Doris was at a stage when she could have made some very interesting non-singing films - or even singing. I think she was made to look a bit ridiculous with all the gymnastics of hanging on to the exterior of that cliff-top house and other scenes.

And there was no sparkle between Doris and Richard Harris - I heard that Doris thought she was getting Sean Connery and didn't know who Richard Harris was. Richard Harris, I read, made a comment that Doris' clothes being a bit young for her in the film and was contacted by the producers about it and wasn't able to make any more comments without clearing them first! I can't see how they could enforce that unless there was something in the contract but he gave the impression he'd been gagged.

There are some fun bits in it, as you say, and it's Michael's 'guilt pleasure', as he puts it. and, no doubt, many fans love it.

[ray]

My yearly viewing of Caprice tonight. Always find something different in each viewing, How wonderful Sean Connery would have been as Doris's co star. Ralph mc Knight enjoyed this film as I do. Richard Harris looks so unfamiliar as each year goes bye. But Doris dazzles in all the confusion, Popcorn anyone?

[Tybear2015]

I love the title song from Caprice.

Tybear

[ray]

I too love the song Caprice with Doris in the movie house watching her own movie!

[texas gonzalo]

There was a newspaper item a while back regarding Richard Harris and Caprice. Some years after the film was released, Harris was booked on a particular plane flight in which Caprice was to be shown. Harris did not take the flight. Guess he was not too happy being associated with the film.
Happy Days, Texas Gonzalo

[Musiclover]

Tybear and Ray, check out Caprice's songwriter, Larry Markes, on Wikipedia. His was a varied career.

[ray]

Mr Harris seemed to be full of himself!! He didn't have to take the role but he did!

[ray]

Thank you Musiclover for the info.

[ray]

Caprice gets better with age. The opening scene with Doris with big hat and sunglasses could be Doris Day today at her birthday appearance this year. Caprice is slick and fast moving and Doris is class as a very in tune Lady of that time 1967. As she is today!!

[webmaster]

It's a lovely song, isn't it?

Here's one I prepared earlier, using poster from the film:

[ray]

Very nice:)

[Jas1]

I always liked Caprice- though although it is a tad confusing!

I do wish though DD had of maintained the look of Glass Bottom Boat - even the more made up Mata Haria [if that is what the part called for] rather than the obvious wigs etc and [in my opinion] less flattering clothes [Caprice compared to GBB].

I do wonder though what Doris thinks of the film now - as we know, she has mellowed re- watching her own performances - i wonder if Caprice falls into this category?

Ray- you are always the champion for Caprice - as i said, i really like the film and [as stated before] the opening credits are fabulous.

[Tybear2015]

Musiclover,

Thank you for the information i will definitely check it out.

Tybear

[Musiclover]

James, I agree about the clothes in Caprice. DD was always highly complimentary about designer Ray Aghayan's creations, but her wardrobe in Caprice seemed to me to be not nearly as good as those he did for her in Do Not Disturb and GBB. That being said, though, Doris could make a gunny sack look good.

[Johnny]

Doris' costumes in Caprice seem to fit the mood of the times, modern, sophisticated , fun and sexy. I enjoyed Caprice as a fun, spy adventure for Doris. She looked like she was having a good time. The only exception is the casting of Richard Harris. He is a good actor in the wrong film. An actor with a lighter touch could have helped the film and Doris' character. The chemistry is missing. Cary Gran or Tony Curtis would have given a brighter performance.

[Lauren Benjamin]

Bry~
Your movie is delightful and full of your talent. I'd like to make movies again. I guess I'll have to use any place but YouTube, as that's out now.

Johnny - you are correct about the lack of chemistry with Richard Harris. It's almost as if Doris and/or Marty were on Mars and had no clue. I don't think Doris and Marty were on the same train together like they were back in the 50s.

Lauren

[webmaster]

Thanks Lauren.

Yes, Richard Harris was a bit cold and totally miscast - there was no - I was going to say joy, but thought, not even fun, in his performance. I can't understand why he agreed to do it - as the bad boy of kitchen-sink drama and famous wild-drinker over here. To be fair, a very good actor in the right part. So I can only assume it was for the money. Or maybe some exposure to US audiences? Whatever it was, it wasn't a good idea!

Rock would have been great - it was supposed to be a comedy, wasn't it?

The opening was as good as any James Bond film but it (literally) went downhill after that.

Sorry Ray, and others, it's the bad teeth - makes you say what you think.

[howard]

I heard that Harris took the part because he felt that appearing in a Doris Day film would boost his box office appeal, and he might get the coveted role he sought in "Camelot." Take it for what it's worth.