Please Don't Eat the Daisies

Please Don't Eat the Daisies is a delightful family and comedy movie that was released in 1960. Directed by Charles Walters, the film features a stellar cast including Doris Day, David Niven, and Janis Paige. The film, based on Jean Kerr's best-selling book of the same name, is a lighthearted yet poignant exploration of family life, the challenges and delights of parenthood, and the dynamics within a marriage set against the backdrop of a bustling New York scene.

Doris Day, the effervescent star of the era, takes center stage as Kate Mackay, a loving mother and devoted wife who finds her life turned upside down when her husband, Professor Lawrence Mackay (David Niven), finds success as a theatre critic. David Niven, renowned for his charm and suaveness, brings depth and humour to this role. Janis Paige shines as Deborah Vaughn, a glamorous theatre star, thereby adding more zest to the plot.

The movie opens with the Mackay family - Kate, Lawrence, and their four boisterous but charming sons - living in an apartment in New York. Lawrence is a professor of drama and a fledgling theatre critic, while Kate handles the domestic chaos of raising their children. Their small, bustling apartment becomes untenable with Lawrence’s late-night working hours and the children’s escapades. To give the family more room to grow and play, Kate convinces Lawrence to move to an old, decrepit, but spacious house in the suburbs.

As Professor Mackay's reputation as a theatre critic grows, he starts to navigate the heady world of New York theatre and glamour. The couple grapples with the changes in their life as the affable professor is now rubbing shoulders with broadway's who's who. As Lawrence gets entangled in the theatrical world, Kate feels increasingly left out. Amidst this, their new suburban home becomes a riotous battlefield with children wreaking havoc and ongoing renovations.

Doris Day, with her comedic talent and warm on-screen presence, makes Kate a character every viewer can root for. She beautifully portrays a wife who supports her husband’s newfound success yet yearns for the man who had more time for his family. Day’s expressive acting shines through, conveying frustration, understanding, jealousy, and love, often within a single scene.

On the contrary, David Niven as Lawrence Mackay presents the image of a man torn between his found success, his responsibilities, and his love for his family. He brings a unique charm to his character, and his chemistry with Day is delightful and realistic.

Janis Paige, as the glamorous Deborah Vaughn, adds a layer of tension to the Mackay’s married life, playing a Broadway actress who takes a liking to Lawrence. Paige's performance is superbly balanced, allowing her to command attention without overshadowing the other characters.

However, the real charm of "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" lies in its portrayal of family life and marriage—it's amusing, poignant, and relatable. The Mackays are a likeable family, and their various misadventures are genuinely heartwarming and entertaining. Kate trying to tame their unruly children while missing the rhythm of the city life and Lawrence teetering between his newfound profession and family obligations feels realistic and relatable.

The screenplay, penned by Isobel Lennart, is tight, witty, and holds up well even today, while the direction by Charles Walters is concise and effective. Doris Day even lends her singing talents to the film, performing two songs beautifully that adds to the overall charm of the movie.

All in all, Please Don't Eat the Daisies is a heartfelt, hilarious, and delightful take on family relations and marriage. It gives an honest portrayal of life's complications and joys without compromising on the humor and warmth. This charming movie from the 1960s remains a classic and a must-watch for audiences to date.