Please Don’t Eat the Daisies Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A theater critic gets a big head, moves his chaotic family to a creepy country house, and his wife questions everything while trying to survive suburban life with four small terrors.

🍿 Please Don’t Eat the Daisies: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Critic’s New Role and Family Chaos

Drama professor Larry Mackay lands a prestigious job as a theater critic for a major New York newspaper. This new role throws him into the bustling Manhattan social scene, a stark contrast to his quiet family life with his wife, Kate, and their four energetic young sons in their crowded city apartment. Kate, yearning for more space and a peaceful environment for the children, dreams of moving the family to the countryside. Larry’s career change brings new pressures, including reviewing the play of his close friend, Alfred North. His honest, negative review creates professional conflict and highlights the potential for his new job to change him.

Suburban Life and Growing Pains

Despite Larry’s increasing immersion in the city’s theater world, circumstances necessitate the family’s move to a large, somewhat dilapidated house in the country town of Hooton. As Kate tackles the challenges of renovating their new home and settling the family into suburban life, Larry continues to commute to New York, enjoying his newfound notoriety. Kate begins to worry about Larry’s changing values and the temptations of city life, including interactions with flirtatious Broadway star Deborah Vaughn. The distance, both physical and emotional, strains their marriage as they navigate the demands of career, family, and adjusting to a new environment.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Kate Robinson Mackay (Doris Day): The devoted wife and mother who tries to balance her family’s needs and sanity against her husband’s demanding new career and the chaos of moving to the country.
• Laurence Mackay (David Niven): A drama professor who transforms into a powerful, often self-important theater critic, struggling to balance his newfound career success with his family’s desire for a quieter life.
• Deborah Vaughn (Janis Paige): A glamorous and flirtatious Broadway star who becomes an antagonist when she seeks revenge against Larry for a bad review and attempts to lure him away from his wife.
• Alfred North (Richard Haydn): A theatrical producer and old family friend who seeks retribution against Larry for a harsh review by orchestrating a scheme involving Kate and an old play.
• Suzie Robinson (Spring Byington): Kate’s supportive but sometimes meddlesome mother who provides advice and assistance with the family and their move.
• Maggie (Patsy Kelly): The family’s patient and loyal housekeeper helping manage their chaotic home life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Alfred North: “For a critic that first step is the first printed joke. It gets a laugh and a whole new world opens up. He makes another joke, and another. And then one day along comes a joke that shouldn’t be made because the show he’s reviewing is a good show. But, as it so happens, it’s a good joke. And you know what? The joke wins.” – Alfred explains to Larry the slippery slope critics face when prioritizing wit over honesty, foreshadowing Larry’s own struggles.
• Kate: “All he does is eat and sleep.” – Kate comments on their dog’s seemingly simple life.
• Larry: “He’s a dog. What d’ya want from him, blank verse?” – Larry offers a dry, witty retort to Kate’s observation about the dog.
• Son (George or Gabriel): “Why is it so big?” – One of the boys asks Kate why they bought such a large, dilapidated house.
• Kate: “Because we couldn’t afford anything smaller.” – Kate gives a humorous, resigned explanation for their new, oversized fixer-upper.
• Kate: “I was on a rendezvous with Rock Hudson!” – Kate jokingly tells Larry where she’s been all day, referencing her frequent and popular co-star, to deflect his questioning.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1,775,000
• Domestic Gross: $10,600,000
• Worldwide Gross: $12,600,000

💥 Please Don’t Eat the Daisies Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I finally watched ‘Please Don’t Eat the Daisies’ and it was… a lot! I went in expecting a fluffy Doris Day comedy, and while it definitely has fluff, it’s also got this weird mix of marital drama and kids running wild. Honestly, the chemistry between Doris Day and David Niven is kind of fascinating. Sometimes they felt like a totally real, slightly exasperated couple, and other times I was like, ‘Are these two even in the same movie?’ Niven trying to be the hotshot critic while Doris handles the chaos felt pretty true to life in a strange way. The scene where Janis Paige slaps Niven in the restaurant? Iconic! I wasn’t expecting that kind of drama in this kind of movie. And that house they move into in the country… yikes! It looked like something out of a spooky cartoon, which added a fun, unexpected visual. The kids were… well, they were definitely four kids. Loud and everywhere. I couldn’t imagine dealing with that energy! The movie feels very much of its time, but there’s a certain warmth to it, especially whenever Doris Day sings or has a quiet moment trying to figure things out. It’s not perfect, and parts are totally bonkers, but it’s got a certain charm that stuck with me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood comedies”
  • “Doris Day and David Niven enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers interested in 1960s family dynamics (as portrayed in film)”
  • “Those who enjoy movies based on popular books”
  • “Audiences looking for a charming, easy-going watch”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Portrayal of parenting and child discipline methods that are outdated by modern standards”
  • “Dated gender roles and societal expectations”

Professional Reviews

• Inspired by User Reviews: “”Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” offers a charming, albeit dated, glimpse into 1960s family life. Doris Day shines as the resilient wife navigating domestic chaos and a husband’s newfound celebrity. While the pairing with David Niven is debated among viewers, their on-screen dynamic provides the film’s emotional core. The movie leans heavily into its era’s sensibilities, which can feel a bit saccharine or even odd by modern standards (like the infamous baby in a cage joke), but it remains an enjoyable, lighthearted experience for fans of the stars and the period.
• Inspired by User Reviews: “This adaptation of Jean Kerr’s book struggles with an identity crisis, bouncing between a satire on theater criticism and a suburban family comedy. David Niven is often miscast as the ego-driven critic, lacking conviction in the role, while Doris Day is her usual charming self but given little material to work with beyond reacting to the chaotic children and the dilapidated house. Though it has moments of wit, particularly in the early New York scenes, the shift to the country feels tacked on, leading to a meandering plot that fails to fully engage.
• Inspired by User Reviews: “What ‘Please Don’t Eat the Daisies’ lacks in modern pacing or consistent comedic punch, it makes up for in pure charm and genuine character moments. The film succeeds best when exploring the subtle dynamics of the central marriage, with both Day and Niven delivering understated performances in scenes that highlight the couple’s mutual support amidst external pressures and internal changes. While some subplots feel underdeveloped and the children’s antics can be tiresome, the film captures a relatable portrait of a couple navigating professional ambition and family life, anchored by its appealing stars.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved Doris Day’s performance and relatable portrayal of a busy wife and mother.: Many found the film charming and nostalgic, appreciating the lighthearted look at family life despite its dated elements.

The dynamic between Doris Day and David Niven sparked interesting discussions about their on-screen chemistry.: Fans enjoyed the supporting cast, particularly Janis Paige and Spring Byington, who added memorable moments.

The film’s blend of comedy, romance, and domestic challenges resonated with some viewers.: The iconic title song and the inclusion of ‘Que Sera Sera’ were pleasant musical highlights for Doris Day fans.

Overall Consensus: A mixed bag that is charming and nostalgic for fans of the stars and the era, but often criticized for its uneven tone, debated lead chemistry, and dated humor surrounding the children and plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the best-selling 1957 collection of humorous essays by Jean Kerr, the wife of prominent New York drama critic Walter Kerr.”
• “The song ‘Any Way The Wind Blows,’ performed by Doris Day during the amateur show rehearsal, was originally written for her character in her previous hit film, ‘Pillow Talk’ (1959).”
• “The movie was successful enough at the box office to later inspire a popular NBC television series of the same name, which ran from 1965 to 1967.”
• “This film marked the final screen appearance for veteran character actress Spring Byington, who played Kate’s mother, Suzie Robinson.”

🖥️ How to Watch Please Don’t Eat the Daisies?

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Please Don’t Eat the Daisies, you might like these similar films:

• Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948): Like ‘Please Don’t Eat the Daisies,’ this comedy focuses on the misadventures of a city couple who buy and attempt to renovate a problematic old house in the country.
• Pillow Talk (1959): A classic romantic comedy starring Doris Day released just before ‘Daisies,’ sharing a similar light tone, witty dialogue, and featuring Day in one of her iconic roles.
• The Money Pit (1986): A modern comedy that updates the ‘city couple buys a disastrous fixer-upper in the country’ premise with slapstick humor.
• Auntie Mame (1958): Referenced in ‘Daisies’ tagline, this film shares a focus on unconventional domestic life and witty observations on society, with a strong, charismatic female lead.
• The Parent Trap (1961): A popular family comedy from the same era featuring lively children’s antics and parental dynamics, appealing to fans of ‘Daisies” family chaos.
• Desk Set (1957): Features a strong female lead navigating career, relationships, and social pressures with sophisticated, witty dialogue, similar in tone to some of Kate’s interactions.

🛒 Please Don’t Eat the Daisies Related Products

• Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (Book): Experience the original witty essays by Jean Kerr that inspired the movie. A humorous look at suburban family life through a sharp, observant lens.
• Please Don’t Eat the Daisies Blu-ray/DVD: Own the classic film in high definition, allowing you to revisit the charming chaos of the Mackay family whenever you like.
• Doris Day – Her Greatest Hits: A collection of timeless songs from the legendary Doris Day, including favorites from her movies and recording career.
• Vintage 1960s Movie Poster Print: A high-quality print of the original theatrical poster for ‘Please Don’t Eat the Daisies’, capturing the film’s classic aesthetic.

🎧 Soundtrack

Please Don’t Eat the Daisies features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” – performed by Doris Day
• “Any Way The Wind Blows” – performed by Doris Day (uncredited)
• “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” – performed by Doris Day (uncredited)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Doris Day – Please Don’t Eat The Daisies

Want a little taste of the movie’s charm? Check out this sweet video of Doris Day herself singing the iconic title song! It really sets the mood for the film’s classic family comedy vibe.

Please Don’t Eat The Daisies

Curious about the actual scenes from “Please Don’t Eat The Daisies”? This video seems to give you a peek right into the movie itself, which is always a great way to see what it’s all about before or after watching!

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