The Journey to Move Over, Darling

Did you know there’s a backstory behind the 1963 romantic romp Move Over, Darling? It may surprise you.

Believe it or not, Doris Day and James Garner weren’t even supposed to star in the movie. This remake of Leo McCarey’s beloved 1940s comedy, My Favorite Wife was originally slated to star Marilyn Monroe and Dean Martin under the title Something’s Got To Give.

For many years, a convoluted history surrounded the reason Monroe was let go from the film. It was said she was fired due to her infamous shenanigans on set. Not showing up for days. Being incessantly late. These delays stalled filming and cost the studio large amounts of money they didn’t have.

At the same time, Fox Studios was pouring millions into Cleopatra starring their other leading lady, Liz Taylor. Taylor was being paid a monumental amount for her film compared to Monroe. Looking back, they had Monroe for a steal. Did they figure it was better to cut their losses with Something’s Got to Give and use the money to finish Cleopatra?

After realizing they couldn’t afford shelving Something’s Got To Give, Fox desperately rehired Monroe for the same amount as Taylor. Sadly, she passed before ever stepping onto the set again.

The clips from Something’s Got To Give are the last luscious bit of Marilyn on screen before her death in August 1962. Locked away for many years, the unfinished film was released by Fox in 2001 as part of the documentary Marilyn Monroe: The Final Days.

When you watch the lost footage, you start to wonder if she was unceremoniously pulled from this picture. Undeniably flawless, her performance radiates energy as bright as her platinum blonde hair. It is some of the most genuine acting I’ve ever seen from her.

A year after her death, Fox revamped the script. They renamed the film Move Over, Darling and cast America’s sweetheart Doris Day and handsome heartthrob James Garner as the leads. It’s interesting that Day was chosen for the role, as in the 60s, Monroe and Day represented two sides of the same coin. Both were top box-office stars—Monroe the sexy siren of Hollywood, while Day the eternal good girl.

Day is every bit as sensational as Monroe, but in a different way. Monroe was aware of her sex appeal and knew how to unassumingly use it. And that’s exactly how she played the role of Ellen Arden.

In contrast, Day plays her in a highly comedic and emotional way that will warm your heart. She had a magnetic charm and beauty as captivating as Monroe’s sexy mystique.

But she also had something else Monroe did not—she appealed to both men and women. For women, she was relatable. You could imitate her style and her look was attainable. James Garner remarks in his autobiography that Day was his dream girl. And if he hadn’t already been married when he met her, he would have gone after her.

Move Over, Darling would have been a different kind of film with Monroe as the lead. It would not have as much physical comedy and therefore it would not be as amusing, but that’s not to say it wouldn’t have been wonderful. Regardless, this film is a Doris Day comedy classic highlighted by her rendition of movie’s namesake tune. It doesn’t quite live up to the heights of some her other films, but it’s still a delight to watch. Day and Garner are absolute magic together.

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