That Funny Feeling (1965) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Joan and Tom's growing attraction becomes tangled in concealed identities, an apartment misunderstanding, and Joan's angry response to a humiliating revelation.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Mistaken First Impressions

Joan's work and audition antics introduce her unpredictable circumstances. Tom's complications intersect with Joan when he mistakes her for someone from his past, and the two arrange another meeting.

Key Events

• Earthly Routines Introduced — The opening contrasts orderly planetary movements with unpredictable human routines. Location: Earth
• Joan Spills on a Dress — Distracted by a passing girl, Joan accidentally spills something on a woman's dress. Characters: Joan Howell Location: Unspecified
• Audition Disguise — Joan imitates a Japanese governess as part of an elaborate audition act. Characters: Joan Howell Location: Audition
• Tom's Domestic Complications — Tom, a wealthy man, deals with romantic and domestic complications. Characters: Tom Milford Location: Unspecified
• Tom Mistakes Joan — Their paths cross when Tom mistakes Joan for someone he has encountered before. Characters: Joan Howell, Tom Milford Location: Unspecified
• An Awkward Evening — They share an evening while evading questions about their names and circumstances. Characters: Joan Howell, Tom Milford Location: Unspecified

Trouble in the Apartment

Tom discovers Joan in his apartment, where she becomes entangled with his home and possessions. Harvey's concern about valuable paintings raises the stakes, but Tom persuades him not to call the police yet.

Key Events

• Another Date Arranged — Despite their evasions, Joan and Tom agree to meet again. Characters: Joan Howell, Tom Milford Location: Unspecified
• Joan in Tom's Apartment — Tom discovers Joan has ended up in his apartment; Joan becomes entangled with the home and its possessions. Characters: Joan Howell, Tom Milford Location: Tom's apartment
• Paintings Cause Alarm — Harvey worries about the valuable paintings, while Joan does not know their worth and considers them ridiculous. Characters: Joan Howell, Tom Milford, Harvey Granson Location: Tom's apartment
• Police Call Delayed — Tom persuades Harvey to give him more time instead of calling the police. Characters: Tom Milford, Harvey Granson Location: Tom's apartment

An Elaborate Dinner

Joan conceals the truth about herself as she grows closer to Tom and tries to impress him. With Audrey's help, she attempts to prepare duck à l'orange, while the pair's deceptions and mishaps deepen the confusion.

Key Events

• Joan Tries to Impress Tom — As they grow closer, Joan hides the truth about herself and tries to impress Tom. Characters: Joan Howell, Tom Milford Location: Unspecified
• Dinner Preparations — Joan invites Tom to dinner and attempts to prepare his favorite dish with Audrey's help. Characters: Joan Howell, Audrey, Tom Milford Location: Unspecified
• Deception Compounds — Their deceptions and mishaps create growing confusion between Joan and Tom. Characters: Joan Howell, Tom Milford Location: Unspecified

The Name Revealed

Joan learns that O'Shea is actually Tom Milford and feels humiliated and furious. Audrey reminds her of Joan's own actions in Tom's apartment, but Joan remains intent on getting even.

Key Events

• O'Shea Revealed as Tom — Joan discovers that the man she knew as O'Shea is actually Tom Milford. Characters: Joan Howell, Tom Milford Location: Unspecified
• Joan Plans Her Response — Humiliated and angry, Joan keeps the next date and resolves to find a way to get even; the outcome is unresolved. Characters: Joan Howell, Tom Milford, Audrey Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Joan's Unpredictable Life — Joan's work and acting ambitions establish the comic uncertainty surrounding her circumstances.
  • Dress Mishap — Joan accidentally spills something on a woman's dress while distracted by a passing girl.
  • Governess Audition — Joan performs an elaborate imitation of a Japanese governess for an audition.
• Tom's Complications — Tom's wealthy, complicated life provides a parallel strand before his encounters with Joan.
  • Domestic Troubles — Tom deals with romantic and domestic complications.
  • Misidentified Joan — Tom mistakes Joan for someone he has encountered before.
• A Cautious Courtship — Joan and Tom share an evening and make plans despite concealing details about themselves.
  • Evasive Introductions — They avoid straightforward disclosure about their names and circumstances.
  • Another Meeting — They agree to meet again after spending the evening together.
• Apartment Confusion — Joan's presence in Tom's apartment creates complications involving the home and its contents.
  • Joan Discovered — Tom discovers that Joan has ended up in his apartment.
  • Paintings at Risk — Harvey worries about valuable paintings that Joan considers ridiculous.
• Harvey Delays Police — Tom attempts to keep the apartment situation under control by persuading Harvey to wait.
  • Harvey's Concern — Harvey is worried about the valuable paintings in the apartment.
  • More Time Requested — Tom persuades Harvey not to call the police yet.
• Joan's Dinner Deception — Joan hides the truth about herself while trying to impress Tom through a dinner invitation.
  • Audrey Assists — Audrey helps Joan attempt to prepare Tom's favorite duck à l'orange.
  • Mishaps Accumulate — Deception and mishaps increase the confusion between Joan and Tom.
• The Identity Revelation — Joan discovers the truth about the man she has known as O'Shea and reacts with anger.
  • Tom Is O'Shea — Joan learns that O'Shea is actually Tom Milford.
  • Joan Feels Humiliated — Joan believes Tom deliberately let her make a fool of herself.
• An Unresolved Retaliation — Joan decides not to abandon the next date and considers how to get even with Tom.
  • Audrey's Reminder — Audrey reminds Joan that Joan also took over Tom's apartment and sold his clothes.
  • Confrontation Ahead — Joan keeps the next date and resolves to confront the situation, but her plan's outcome is left unresolved.

Directed by

Richard Thorpe

Key Cast

• Sandra Dee — Joan
• Bobby Darin — Tom
• Donald O'Connor — Harvey Granson
• Nita Talbot — Audrey
• Larry Storch — Luther