Trey Mercartne "Something's Got To Give" was your typical 20th Century Fox designed Marilyn Monroe vehicle. Woman lost at sea, Husband and her Children move on with lives, Woman returns home after several years - can things ever be the same? So a very simple plot, which was in fact already done years before in a movie on which this was based. On paper, certainly not a very exciting picture - nothing original and nothing ground breaking. But as it turned out, "Something's Got To Give" became one of the most fascinating movie projects of the early 1960's and indeed the Hollywood Studio System. This was due, in part, to it's leading lady - Monroe - and the circumstances surrounding the picture. By the time of the movie, Marilyn's difficult behaviour had become somewhat legendary and she had been blamed for costly delays on nearly all of her pictures - unable or unwilling to 'get herself together' to go in front of the cameras, she was often late on set, distracted and a seeming nightmare to work around. Yet, her incredible charisma and unique connection with the camera would always prevail and the efforts it took to get the best from her were always, without question, worth it 100%. Billy Wilder once said of her - "Better Marilyn late, than all the others on time".During the time of this production, Monroe's personal life was in total chaos as it so often was in her life. Secretive Affairs with the Kennedy's were perhaps the most important developments of her life at the time, but other aspects like her continued manic depressive personality, dependency on sleeping pills and alcohol continued to play a major part in her apparent downfall and they ravaged the girl. The extent to which her personal life was seemingly destroying her is evident for all to see in the restored footage from the movie. Although, superficially she looks far better here than she had previously in both "The Misfits" and "Some Like It Hot". Monroe seemed to have regained some of that magical glow that appeared to have been lost in her previous few films - Wardrobe Screen Tests prove that. Looking vitalised and healthy, those close to the film would be forgiven in thinking that things may have started to change and perhaps, after all, Marilyn Monroe was back on form. But they were wrong.In several restored scenes, Marilyn looks confused and almost "doped up". She struggles with lines and at one point appears to almost break down into tears whilst trying to perform a scene in which she must silently emote. "I Can't....." she says before appearing to break down. In other scenes, she struggles with relatively simple lines over and over. It truly is a heartbreaking sight. A once masterful comedienne and fine dramatic actress, to see Monroe struggle so much - and appear to frustrated by it, is truly a sad sight to see. Yet, on the other end of the spectrum, in many other scenes she is excellent! One particular example is a scene in which she is trying to convince her ex-Husband that a total stranger she has just met is the main with whom she spent her time on the Island - to put her ex-Husband's fears at rest about her fidelity. Monroe is masterful, she goes through the entire scene without error and her timing is beautiful - it's a truly outstanding scene. There are other similar moments in which Marilyn is on form, but it would appear moments of excellence and despair came in even quantities in this picture.The one-off look it gives us at Marilyn Monroe in her final days is what makes "Something's Got To Give" so fascinating. For fans of the blonde bombshell, it's also a heartbreaking piece because it shows how truly ravaged and destroyed the beautiful Marilyn became. But yet, in even measure, it shows how despite everything that was happening in her personal life Monroe was still able to perform wonderfully in several scenes. Dean Martin is also to be applauded - his sheer kindness towards Marilyn when she got it wrong is heart warming. Attempting to encourage her - "That was good though, wasn't it George (Kukor)" - he says at one point and he means it. A genuine soul who wanted to help Marilyn out when she was so clearly in need of assistance, Dean Martin is to be thanked and applauded. "Something's Got To Give" is a fascinating unfinished movie that can also be very moving and even heartbreaking. Marilyn Monroe fans should do everything they can to try and catch a glimpse of it, at least, because what it shows of this Iconic actresses, who died before her time, is truly compelling.

nneprevilo Doris Day made "Move Over Darling" as big favor to 20th Century Fox and as a chance to finish her contractual commitment with the company. 20th was in financial trouble with Elizabeth Taylor holding up production of "Cleopatra" in Rome and practically breaking the studio financially with delays, illness, etc. Meanwhile, in Hollywood, Marilyn Monroe couldn't get it together to film "Somethin's Gotta Give." She was late, couldn't remember lines, wasn't showing up for work...a real mess. After Monroe's death, Doris was asked to step in. She was box office bonanza and DEPENDABLE. Plus, she was the #1 ranked star in films.I didn't like Irene Dunne's version, I certainly thought that Marilyn Monroe's was inept and Doris Day's version was overblown.Among the three actresses/stars, Doris Day, of course was the best performer, but she was directed haphazardly in "Move Over Darling." If you compare her performance to Monroe's, you'll see a stark difference. Whereas Marilyn looked and acted drugged, Day was alert but following bad direction by Michael Gordon. On the DVD release of MOD, there is an extra feature "Doris vs Marilyn." Day wins.Tony Randall ("Let's Make Love") was once asked about appearing with both Marilyn and Doris. On Marilyn he said, "she had no talent at all! If you were standing off camera watching her do a scene, you'd shake your head and say, 'no, she'll never get by. But, the next day when you saw the rushes -- MAGIC on the screen! There was something she had going on with the camera. Hard to explain." On Doris Day ("Pillow Talk" "Lover Come Back" "Send Me No Flowers"): "Brilliant! One of the best actresses on the screen. She, herself, doesn't know how great she is. A natural." To me, it was painful watching Monroe in this role. I saw the outtakes and it was obvious that the rumors were true. Marilyn couldn't remember her lines, she was nervous and unsure...a total disaster. The only time she looked comfortable was when she was nude, swimming in the pool. In contrast, Day was the total professional. She showed up on time, knew her lines and finished the picture on time. "Move Over Darling" was a huge hit at the box office because all of Doris' pictures were at the time. I didn't like all of the picture, only parts. I thought Day was wonderful in the department store scene with Don Knotts and great with the slapstick through the car wash. She was also good in her scenes with Thelma Ritter. The rest was garbage.Monroe was even bad in the department store scene with Wally Cox. You could see how Cox was struggling...she was giving him NOTHING. Actors need feedback. If they don't get it from the other actor, their performance suffers. It must have been HELL acting with Monroe.

icet2004 this movie is enchanting.Marilyn Monroe was more beautiful than in any other film.Soundtrack was good.Frank Sinatra was definitely good singer.actors were pretty good.it was without a doubt Marilyn's last word.this film was antiquated.no doubt this movie was viewable,but not something special.it was unfinished business, then it could been great.i completely understand why some guys here don't like this movie it's very antiquated,but it was a little bit disappointment,but not bad.Marilyn Monroe definitely awesome actress i like her film "Some Like It Hot" i recommend to watch it only to fans "Something's Got to Give".it's not good movie,but not bad too.

Marc What a wonderful treat to watch this little gem of unfinished footage of a stunningly beautiful Monroe, looking a little out of sorts (according to "The Final Days" account - she was quite ill at the time) but quite in control of her faculties and looking quite stunning and very very thin! All of her scene's with Martin, Charisse, the children and the dog are excellent and it's hard to imagine the behind-the-scene's tensions that were actually going on. An enormous tragedy that the film wasn't finished so that Monroe would move onto meatier roles like she'd envisioned for herself. Just weeks before her suspicious death, she had signed an agreement to return to the set to finish the picture and had a three picture deal ahead of her - making suicide highly unlikely.But back to the film: Dean Martin, handsome and charming as always, sparring excellently with her and appearing the true professional he reportedly was on set.I wish so much that this was easier to get, but finally getting a copy of this was a dream come true for I'd read so much on the making of this film.For any doubters that Miss Monroe couldn't act, check this out and appreciate the 37 minutes of 'treasure'. I gave this 10/10.