BBC Arts Theatre, Opera, Art, Classical Music, Dance.txt
'We almost didn't do it because it was too dirty' Doris Day and Rock Hudson on Pillow Talk, the risqué romcom.txt
'We almost didn't do resulto da mega senait because it was too dirty': Doris Day and Rock Hudson on Pillow Talk, the risqué romcomSkip to contentAdvertisementBritish Broadcasting CorporationRegisterSign InHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListTo the Ends of The Earth EarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersAdvertisement'We almost didn't do it because it was too dirty': Doris Day and Rock Hudson on Pillow Talk, the risqué romcom7 October 2024ShareSaveAdam ValenteShareSaveGetty ImagesReleased in this week in 1959, Pillow Talk challenged Hollywood's conservative morality, cleverly navigating restrictions on how bedroom activities could be portrayed. In the 1980s its stars talked to the BBC about how the film mirrored the attitudes of a nation on the cusp of sexual revolution."It seemed risqué, but isn't it funny when you think what they're showing now?" Doris Day's playful observation in a rare 1989 BBC interview perfectly encapsulates a film that once pushed Hollywood's boundaries of acceptability. Released in 1959, Pillow Talk flirted with the themes of modern romance and desire in ways that now feel almost quaint, but were daring at a time when the movie business was bound by strict moral codes. It went on to have an impact on the romantic comedy genre as a whole, establishing tropes and archetypes that are still used today. Directed by Michael Gordon, Pillow Talk follows Jan Morrow (Doris Day), a successful interior decorator, who unwillingly shares a telephone line with a charming yet womanising composer, Brad Allen (Rock Hudson). While Jan attempts to use the line for business, Brad hogs it for some business of his own, crooning serenades to countless women. The demand for phone services had surged in the US following World War Two, and so companies supplied multiple people with shared telephone connections. While cost-effective, these "party lines" meant that privacy was often compromised. In Pillow Talk, the party line is a playful tool for romantic entanglement and sets up the characters' "meet-cute", just as emails, text messages and apps would in the decades to follow. Similarly, the film's use of mistaken identity, romantic deception and eventual reconciliation became foundational tropes for the genre. 1:54WATCH: 'We would look at each other. We'd spew in each other's faces. It's great fun'.AdvertisementThe film proved to be a turning point for both of its stars, transforming Doris Day from giddy girl-next-door to sophisticated sex symbol, and Rock Hudson from a dramatic leading man to a romcom regular. "Ah, I was crazy about that script," Day remembered. "And I loved the clothes, and I loved working with Rock for the first time. He and I were very good friends. We loved working together. We respected each other. And I think that came across." Pillow Talk earned Day her only Academy Award nomination, and was followed by two more romantic comedies that paired her with Hudson, Lover Come Back (1961) and Send Me No Flowers (1964). As clean as the film might seem when seen through modern eyes, it was considered quite racy in the safe, sanitised cinematic landscape of the 1950s. In a period when even subtle suggestions of sexuality were censored, it treated dating, seduction and pre-marital sex so casually that Hudson turned down the script three times because of how lewd it seemed. "We almost didn't do it because it was too dirty," he confessed on the BBC's Wogan chat show in 1984. "Were those the days you had to keep a foot on the floor?" Terry Wogan asked, the audience responding with laughter. The idea of such delicacy and censorship was already absurd just a few decades after Pillow Talk was released. Pushing the boundariesWogan was referring to the Hays Code: "A Code to Govern the Making of Talking, Synchronised and Silent Motion Pictures." The Hays Code, first shared in 1930 and implemented in 1934, was a set of strict moral guidelines governing Hollywood films. Named after the president of The Association of Motion Picture Producers at the time, William H Hays, the code promoted traditional values, and sought to censor content relating to sexuality, violence and anything else considered outside the boundaries of decency. While films could be released without a certificate of approval, it would heavily impact the number of cinemas willing to run them. Even cartoon flapper girl Betty Boop had her skirt lengthened, curls tamed and movements minimised to avoid any suggestion of immorality. To stay in line with the code, many portrayals from the time showed married couples sleeping in adjacent single beds, or had one spouse keep a foot on the floor at all times to avoid them being shown lying down together. In particular, the code stated, "The treatment of bedrooms must be governed by good taste and delicacy," and warned: "Certain places are so closely and thoroughly associated with sexual life or with sexual sin that their use must be carefully limited".2:25WATCH: 'He was worried. He had never played comedy and he wasn't sure that he could'.Pillow Talk came teasingly close to crossing these ideas of decency, pushing the boundaries of what could be shown on screen without actually breaking the code's rules. A split-screen effect was used to show both sides of a phone conversation, giving the risqué impression of Hudson and Day lying side-by-side. The effect both drove the plot and heightened the couple's sexual tension, all the while sidestepping censorship. Many, many people would ask me, 'Is Rock Hudson really gay?' And I said, 'It's something that I will not discuss' – Doris DayAs the 1950s drew to a close, the authority of the Hays Code had been significantly weakened by the success of non-approved films. However, it would be almost a decade from Pillow Talk's release before it was abandoned completely in favour of a four-letter rating system (G, M, R and X) by what was then known as the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). Pillow Talk still needed to navigate a fine line, maintaining the appearance of traditional morality, while subtly acknowledging the views of a society on the cusp of a sexual revolution. By the end of the film, conventional values prevail, with Hudson's Brad ultimately reforming his womanising ways, falling in love and seeking a committed relationship. And yet, Pillow Talk still mirrors the evolving attitudes of the late 1950s. Day's portrayal of Jan as a professional woman not defined by her relationship status connected with audiences who were starting to embrace women's independence in a post-World War Two US. Jan is successful, confident and in control of her personal life – a departure from the more domesticated female roles seen in some earlier Hollywood films. More like this:? Julie Andrews on being 'teased' for Mary Poppins? How a blacklisted Hollywood writer won two Oscars? Why When Harry Met Sally is the greatest romcom of all timeWhile Pillow Talk signalled a shift in cultural attitudes towards love and relationships, it also underscored the limitations of that progress. At the height of his career, Hudson kept his sexuality hidden, a necessity in an era that did not fully accept LGBTQ+ identities. "Nothing was ever talked about as far as his private life," Day explained in her 1989 television interview, "And I must tell you that many, many people would ask me, you know, 'Is Rock Hudson really gay?' And I said, 'It's something that I will not discuss.'" IN HISTORYIn History is a series which uses the BBC's unique audio and video archive to explore historical events that still resonate today. Subscribe to the accompanying weekly newsletter.Hudson's sexuality remained shrouded in secrecy and rumour until his Aids diagnosis was made public in 1985. He was one of the first celebrities to be publicly diagnosed and to die from an Aids-related illness. The disclosure of his condition helped to change public perception of Aids, which at that time had not even been publicly acknowledged by then-US president Ronald Reagan. Day would go on to raise awareness and fundraise for Aids research throughout her life.Hudson's euphemised "private life" within the constraints of a conservative society was an example of the broader tensions of the late 1950s, when some boundaries were being pushed while others remained firmly in place. Pillow Talk captures those tensions. A landmark in romantic comedy, it reflects a moment in Hollywood when traditional values and modern ideals coexisted, offering both a glimpse of the sanitised past and a nod to the changes ahead.--For more stories and never-before-published radio scripts to your inbox, sign up to the In History newsletter, while The Essential List delivers a handpicked selection of features and insights twice a week.For more Culture stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.In HistoryFilm historyFeaturesWatchWall Street awaits key labor market data - 4 Sep 2025Jim Thorne from Wellington-Altus Private Wealth says markets will look at the quality of this months data.6 hrs agoOpening BellInvestors reassured about inflation impact - 10 Sep 2025Greg Halter says inflation, combined with employment data, may lead the Fed to cut interest rates next week.9 hrs agoOpening BellWhy we need to wake up to what's making us sickTim reveals the shocking impact ultra-processed foods have on our healthcare system and overall health.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Tim SpectorMeet the micro-organisms living inside youGet a comprehensive understanding of the gut microbiome, the many species, and the vital roles they play.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Tim SpectorWhy we need to learn to love our bugsTim explains how modern habits have cut the diversity of bugs in our diet and offers five tips to fix it.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Tim SpectorWhy many health foods are not what they seemWhy labels like 'high protein' and 'low fat' and other 'health halos' can be misleading.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Tim SpectorUnderstand the makeup of ultra-processed foodsUnderstand industrially manufactured 'food' and the impact they have on our bodies.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Tim SpectorWhy you need to explore the wonderful chemicals in plantsAim to consume 30 plants a week, each with a different set of chemicals that will benefit your microbiome.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Tim SpectorTangy natural probiotics to add to your dietLearn about food fermentation and why it plays a crucial role in supporting a healthy gut microbiome.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Tim SpectorIs it worth paying extra for organic produce?Tim dives into when it's worth getting organic, and when it probably isn't.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Tim SpectorHow to make sustainable eating resolutionsTake this opportunity to make a plan for your healthy eating future, with a healthy mindset.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Tim SpectorThe science behind the fasting fadWhat happens to our microbes when we fast, and how when we eat can be optimised for our health.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Tim SpectorWhy sustainable productivity will drive successSteven shares his three 'M' goal-setting framework to help you be more productive for the long-term.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Steven BartlettHow to hire the best people for your teamAre they a bar raiser, bar maintainer or bar lowerer? Learn how to build a team that can get behind your mission.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Steven BartlettWhat is your business culture and why is it so important?Explore how you can use your mission to set the right culture for your business.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Steven BartlettWhy you must share your idea and get honest feedbackLearn Steven's three crucial steps for validating your business proposal and why impartial feedback is vital.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Steven BartlettHow to know yourself, grow yourself, and take controlFind out how to counteract limiting beliefs you hold about yourself and build new ones that serve you better.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Steven BartlettHow to get the money you need to start a businessLearn how to start a business with nothing in the bank and how to get funding if you need it to get started.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Steven BartlettWhy you should start a business and why to start it nowSteven explains the common obstacles to starting a business and why now is the time to start yours.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Steven BartlettWhat to expect from the course to create a thriving businessMeet Steven Bartlett as he gives an overview of his extraordinary career and what you'll discover in the course.10 hrs agoBBC Maestro - Steven BartlettADVERTISEMENTHow Much Does A New Garden Fence Cost In 2025? (View)A well-chosen garden fence can transform your outdoor area, providing privacy, security, and aesthetic appeal. This guide explores various garden fence...Garden Fence | Paid ContentPaid ContentFirst female officer of senior regiment dies in Surrey crashElizabeth Godwin took part in duties including Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and the King's coronation.Payout for bar manager told she looked 'very Aryan'Ahmed Magdy Soliman also told Sky Sinclair that she seemed to like white people better.Ex-sergeant major admits sexually assaulting soldier who took her own lifeMichael Webber pleaded guilty to sexual assault against teenage soldier Jaysley Beck, who was left traumatised by the incident.Tributes after death of 0 not out off 137 cricketerIan Bestwick hit global fame for his resolute knock during a cricket match in August last year.Remains of missing Jordan Moray from Cwmbach found after six yearsJordan Moray went missing from his flat six years ago with his mobile phone still charging.More from the BBC14 hrs agoThe controversial sweet that fuels NorwegiansKnown as 'the trip chocolate', Kvikk Lunsj has fuelled outdoor adventures for generations. So, what makes this chocolate so controversial?14 hrs ago15 hrs agoHow women's pockets became so controversialWhy do men's clothes have so many pockets, and women's so few? For centuries, the humble pocket has been a flashpoint in the gender divide of fashion. Is that finally set to change?15 hrs ago16 hrs agoEarth has now passed peak farmland. What's next?The world's use of farmland has peaked, bringing the chance to turn over more space to nature. How far could the trend go?16 hrs ago2 days agoThe road trip that celebrates a musical legendMany towns and cities along the Blues Trail have planned festivals, exhibitions and live music to mark the 100th birthday of the homegrown musical legend.2 days ago2 days ago'He is an awful man': Why we are wrong about DarcyMostly miserable and even "unforgivably cruel", Jane Austen's famous romantic hero is not what he seems, writes the author Sebastian Faulks, in an exclusive extract.2 days agoBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherBBC ShopBritBoxBBC in other languagesFollow BBC on:Terms of UseAbout the BBCPrivacy PolicyCookiesAccessibility HelpContact the BBCAdvertise with usDo not share or sell my infoBBC.com Help & FAQsContent IndexCopyright 2025 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
