Despite Universal's declining box office returns throughout the 1950s, producer
Ross Hunter achieved great success at the studio with handsome and glossy productions, many starring leading man Rock Hudson. Sensing Hudson's potential as a comic actor, the savvy Hunter seized on the idea of teaming him with Doris Day, America's favorite girl-next-door, in a sophisticated bedroom farce. By the mid-1950s, Day was free from the “gingham” roles of her Warner Brothers contract, but was suffering from a series of career misfires. Thankfully the two leads took an instant liking to each other; Hudson credits Day's incredible comedic instinct and timing for why he became so successful in the genre. The breezy Oscar-winning screenplay also allowed pitch-perfect wisecracking costars Tony Randall and Thelma Ritter a chance to display their immense natural comedic talents. Pillow Talk would garner Day her only Oscar nomination and would become her most identifiable role. Costume designer Jean Louis created a meticulously beautiful wardrobe for Day that instantly transformed the star into a fashion icon throughout the 1960s. Pillow Talk was a colossal success and paved the way for two more “Doris and Rock” projects, Lover Come Back (1961) and Send Me No Flowers (1964).