Doris Day was just 18 when her only child was born. That was before her multi-layered career took off, especially with movies from the late 1940s through the 1960s. Yet she could play a tender, loving, caring mom amidst the mayhem of comedy better than any other big name star. And, the kids in all her films convinced this viewer that she was the real thing.

The two children in "The Thrill of it All," aren't played as much for laughs as in many other family comedies. Here, they are part of the family as the essence of the love that is "the thrill of it all." But there is humor in what the kids do and say at times. This film has a rare mix of comedy romance with family love and values, and the beauty of babies and having children.

Doris shines as Beverly Boyer, and James Garner is a perfect match as her husband, Dr. Gerald Boyer. The film has a wonderful cast of supporting actors with more than cursory roles. Arlene Francis gives a glowing and warm performance as Mrs. Fraleigh. She is a newly expectant mother who has wanted children for 20 years. But, the sterling performance in this film is that of Edward Andrews. As Gardiner Fraleigh, this long-time character actor gives his best performance.

It may seem strange to some people who were under age 40 at the start of the 21st century, but for the first three-fourths of the last century, most people were excited about having children. Family, friends and strangers would smile and congratulate an expecting mother. Expectant fathers might well be the nervous, anxious, excited, incoherent, and anything but calm characters as Gardiner Fraleigh appears in this film. That's why his exaggerated character will be so amusing to older men and women. We've "Been there, done that!"

Especially in situations where couples really want to have children but can't for the longest time, one can still see such excitement today. I have known several younger couples who haven't been able to have children. Most conceived after considerable time, and were elated, as are the Fraleigh's in this film. Two couples have been able to adopt children, and they have been just as happy and excited.

A scene with Mrs. Fraleigh and Dr. Boyer in his office is particularly descriptive of the time and culture. Mrs. Fraleigh, "I've been taking very long walks up and down Fifth Avenue." Dr. Boyer, "Fine! Exercise is very important." Mrs. Fraleigh, "I don't walk for the exercise. I walk to show off. I'm proud of my condition. Is that silly?" Dr. Boyer, "Silly? It's about the healthiest attitude you could have." Mrs. Fraleigh, "I don't know when I've been so happy. I guess there's nothing more fulfilling in life than having a baby. Oh, listen to me. Something you've probably heard a thousand times." Dr. Boyer, "Never stated so beautifully."

And the scene of the Fraleighs rushing to the hospital and getting caught in a traffic jam with the baby coming was not all that rare in times past. I will never forget my own experience. Our youngest daughter came quickly and unexpectedly late at night. My wife delivered her naturally, with my nervous, dazed help of just holding the baby by her feet. I called the hospital, packed mom and baby in our car and headed to the hospital about five miles away. I turned the emergency flashers on, honked my horn and broke the speed limit all the way. We didn't get a police escort but we made it safe and sound.

"The Thrill of it All" is not a comedy of many witty lines of dialog, but of humorous situations. One of the funniest sequences is when Fraleigh hustles nervously between cars in the traffic jam. He asks one irate motorist if he has a shoestring. "I'm having a baby and I need a shoestring." The motorist yells, "Get outta here."

Here are a few more funny lines. Andy, "Mom, can we play golf till lunch is ready?" Beverly, "Yes, darling. You can play in the back yard. Don't chop up the lawn like daddy."

Gerald, "Now you have finally done it." Beverly, "Done what?" Gerald, "You have finally succeeded in equating the delivery of a baby with the delivery of a commercial."

One other hilarious scene involves a phone call that passes between Dr. Boyer, Mrs. Boyer, the doctor's nurse-secretary, and the Boyer's German- speaking housekeeper. The German word for nurse is a real lulu – "krankenschwester." I would have loved to see and hear more dialog develop in that sequence. The funny incidents pile up in this movie and add up to a very amusing and enjoyable film. And, definitely a movie for the whole family.

"The Thrill of It All" is a rather frustrating film. Although it has a neat story idea and could have been a very funny movie, the main crisis in the film is so blown out of proportion that you can't help but think the story was way overdone and some subtlety would have really improved the film tremendously.

When the story begins, the Boyers (Doris Day and James Garner) appear to be a reasonably happy suburban couple. He's an OB/GYN and she's a stay at home mom who loves her kids (even though the oldest is pretty annoying). However, when she is by chance discovered by the owner of a soap company, she's asked to make a commercial for the company...and is a huge success. Soon, she's the main spokesperson for the company and she's earning much, much more than her husband.

Problems soon develop. One is that the husband is a Neanderthal who claims it's okay for his wife to have a career...until she has one. Another is a long series of problems which crop up....nearly all of which seem contrived and not actually serious problems for any normal family. But here in the film, it's all kooky and earth shattering...and the marriage is soon on the skids.

Subtlety is certainly a major problem with the movie and having tiny things continually turning into huge things impacted on my liking the film. As for the sexism, well, it was made in the 1960s and although Garner's character is an unlikable jerk, he is a 1960s male jerk who must be the only breadwinner or else his fragile ego cannot handle it. This is rather funny considering the film does star Doris Day, a woman who CONSTANTLY worked from the 1940s well into the 1970s supporting her various husbands.

Overall, an enjoyable domestic comedy but not one that really stands out due to some writing issues which makes it seem more like a sitcom than a movie. The concept of 'less is more' would really have helped this one. Oddly, however, I did really like seeing the writer (Carl Reiner) playing in various bad TV shows throughout the movie...this was pretty clever.