Send Me No Flowers parents guide

Send Me No Flowers Parent Guide

Overall B

A hypochondriac convinced he is about to die, decides to find a new husband for his wife. However, his behavior causes her to become suspicious of his motives in this madcap romantic comedy starring Doris Day and Rock Hudson.

Violence B
Sexual Content B
Profanity A-
Substance Use C

Why is Send Me No Flowers rated Not Rated? The MPAA rated Send Me No Flowers Not Rated

Run Time: 100 minutes

Parent Movie Review

“My hypochondria has finally paid off,” confides George Kimball (Rock Hudson) to his friend and neighbor Arnold Nash (Tony Randall).

For years George has believed there is some life-threatening ailment lurking within his body. When he overhears his doctor (Edward Andrews) having a private phone conversation, his worst suspicions are confirmed. Although he shares the news of his imminent demise with Arnold, he is reluctant to tell his wife Judy (Doris Day).

Not only does he fear the blithe blonde will become hysterical, he also doubts she will be able to manage without him. With a gallantry as melodramatic as the piano score that accompanies the film, the overprotective man decides to make all the preparations necessary to ease her impending time of grief—including prearranging his own funeral and choosing a second husband for his delicate blossom.

Judy, on the other hand, isn’t too worried about her husband’s health. For just as many years, she has been replacing the contents of his sleeping capsules with sugar, and has personally witnessed the power of a placebo.

Loving the tall dark and handsome man despite his psychological hang-ups, the doting wife is understandably confused when her spouse begins encouraging her to spend time with some of their bachelor acquaintances. However, Judy quickly jumps to her own conclusions after a series of “only-in-the-movies” coincidences places George at the receiving end of a kiss of appreciation from a female neighbor with a troubled marriage.

Send Me No Flowers was the last of three flics to pair Doris Day and Rock Hudson. (The other two were Pillow Talk and Lover Come Back.) The script provides plenty of humor, which is wittily brought to life with an excellent performance from Tony Randall and a brief appearance of Paul Lynde as an enthusiastic funeral director.

For parents, the most likely weeds of concern will be the accusations of infidelity, slight sexual innuendo, portrayals of helpless women, and the depiction of a man who turns to alcohol to cope with distress. Still, what Send Me No Flowers probably does best is proving that even well intentioned lies will only grow into a thicket of trouble.

Starring Doris Day, Rock Hudson. Running time: 100 minutes. Updated

Send Me No Flowers
Rating & Content Info

Why is Send Me No Flowers rated Not Rated? Send Me No Flowers is rated Not Rated by the MPAA

Overall: B

A hypochondriac convinced he is about to die, decides to find a new husband for his wife. However, his behavior causes her to become suspicious of his motives in this madcap romantic comedy starring Doris Day and Rock Hudson.

Violence: B

The film contains many instances of comedic antics such as: a woman falling when trying to crawl into an open window, a woman at risk of having an accident when her golf cart goes out of control, a woman smacking a man’s face, pushing a man in a wheelchair out of a door and into a mattress leaning against a wall, and throwing pill bottles at a character. One character punches another.

Sexual Content: B

Man’s bare chest is shown when he is showering, changing his shirt and allowing the doctor to listen to his heart. Woman is seen in slightly revealing pajamas. A bachelor asks out women who are recently separated from their husbands. Married man admires a woman. Allusions to and accusations of infidelity are made. A married couple kisses on several occasions, and is shown cuddling together in bed. Married people are kissed by someone other than their spouse on several occasions. Script contains mild sexual innuendos and references to intimate relationships.

 

Language: A-

At Least: One term of deity used as an expletive, one mild profanity and name-calling.

Alcohol / Drug Use: C

Main character uses and perhaps abuses over the counter and prescription medications. Main characters smoke and drink throughout the film. One character turns to alcohol to help him deal with unhappy news. A main character is depicted as inebriated.

 

Miscellaneous Concerns:

Female characters are portrayed as helpless and financially inept. On the advice of a friend, a character lies: negative consequences are shown.

 

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Send Me No Flowers Parents' Guide

In the film, the doctor, George, and Judy all have information they decide not to share with the person it directly involves. Are there times when keeping the truth from someone really is in their best interest? When can keeping secrets be harmful?

Judy is portrayed as being beautiful but financially incapable. Many of the men in the film are depicted as womanizers. How do you feel about these stereotypes? Do you think they are a result of the way we viewed these roles in the 1960s? What stereotypes do you see in the films of today?

Home Video

Related home video titles:

The movie Down With Love was inspired by the Doris Day and Rock Hudson films. Norman Jewison the director of this film also directed Fiddler on the Roof. Another classic movie that involves keeping a secret from the one you love is An Affair to Remember.