Send Me No Flowers Review

Reviewed by David Savage

Starring: Rock Hudson, Doris Day, Tony Randall
Directed by: Norman Jewison
Certificate: U
Running Time: 96 minutes
Format: DVD
Release Date: 13 April 2015

Send Me No Flowers is a 1964 American comedy about a man who thinks he is going to die and trying to make sure his wife is looked after once he has gone.

George (Rock Hudson) is a hypochondriac and is always taking pills for something or other. On his latest visit to his doctor for chest pains, which is just indigestion, he overhears the doctor on the phone to another doctor and wrongly thinks they are talking about him, so consequently he hears that the patient has a heart problem and only has a few weeks to live.

Armed with this information he needs to make sure his soon-to-be-widowed wife, Judy (Doris Day), can look after herself once he has departed, all of course without her knowledge. When the idea of night classes doesn’t take he enlists the help of his friend and neighbour, Arnold (Tony Randall), to find a new husband for her so that she is looked after and provided for. Unfortunately, Arnold isn’t much help as he takes the news rather badly and decides drinking is the answer. So when an old boyfriend (Clint Walker) of Judy’s turns up at the country club George tries to force them together which results in Judy thinking George is having an affair!

Overall, although rather dated I found this to be a delightful, funny and inoffensive comedy. The story is great and there are some excellent funny moments including the cemetery plot salesman (Paul Lynde) who “loves people”.

An old time comedy that all generations will enjoy.

Rating: 5/5

RRP: £9.99

Available to buy from Fabulous Films here.