Walk, Don't Run (film)

Walk, Don't Run is a 1966 American romantic comedy film directed by Charles Walters (his final theatrical release), and starring Cary Grant (in his final film role), Samantha Eggar, and Jim Hutton. The film is set during the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and is a remake of the 1943 film The More the Merrier. The title stems from the basic rule of racewalking: that competitors must not run at any point (both feet leaving the ground).

Plot
In 1964, important British businessman Sir William Rutland arrives two days early in Tokyo and encounters a housing shortage caused by the 1964 Summer Olympics. While at the British Embassy seeking help, he spots an advertisement for a roommate and soon finds himself at the residence of Christine Easton, who insists it would be improper to take him in as a housemate. Easton had forgotten to advertise that she wanted to sublet to a woman, but eventually, lets Rutland stay.

Rutland sublets half of his space to American Olympic competitor Steve Davis, without consulting Easton. While Easton is less than thrilled with the arrangement, she has to put up with it, as she has already spent Rutland's share of the rent. Rutland sets about playing matchmaker for the two young people, in spite of their disparate personalities and Easton's engagement to a boringly dependable British diplomat, Julius D. Haversack.

Davis repeatedly dodges questions about his Olympic sport. Rutland meddles in the young couple's romantic troubles. To further his matchmaking, he strips down to his boxer shorts and a T-shirt so he can pretend to be a competitor and talk to Davis during his event, the 50-kilometre walk, and eventually heals the breach between the young lovers.

Production
Filming locations were at the Hotel Okura Tokyo, Embassy of the United Kingdom, Tokyo, and Yoyogi National Gymnasium.

Grant retired from acting to focus on raising his daughter. He died in 1986.

Score
The film's music was composed by Quincy Jones, with Peggy Lee contributing to the writing of the songs "Stay with Me" and "Happy Feet".

Personnel

 * Quincy Jones – composer, conductor
 * Toots Thielemans – harmonica, whistles
 * Harry "Sweets" Edison – trumpet
 * Bud Shank – reeds
 * Earl Palmer – drums
 * Carol Kaye – electric bass
 * Emil Richards – percussion
 * Don Elliot Voices – vocals on "Happy Feet"
 * Tony Clementi – vocals on "Stay with Me"
 * Jack Hayes, Leo Shuken – orchestrations
 * Richard Hazard – vocal orchestrations

Reception
The film grossed $7,500,000 at the box office, earning $4.5 million in US theatrical rentals. It was the 29th highest grossing film of 1966.