Do Not Disturb
American couple Mike (Rod Taylor) and Janet Harper (Doris Day) move to England for Mike's work, his company which deals in wool textiles and wool fashions. Despite Mike's want for them to live in a flat in the heart of London, Janet, who is not a big city girl, ignores his want and instead finds them a house to rent thirty miles outside of London in Kent, which means that Mike has to commute into town by train. This commute is not ideal for Mike, who often for convenience stays in one of the company's flats in town rather than go home. This commuting situation makes Janet feel even more neglected than she already did previously. Janet believes Mike may be taking his neglect to the next level by having an affair with his secretary-quickly-turned-assistant, Claire Hackett (Maura McGiveney). Janet's beliefs are fuelled in part by the Harper's busybody landlady, Vanessa Courtwright (Hermione Baddeley), who thinks Janet can play Mike's game by entering into an affair of her own, whether it be real or made-up. It has the potential to be real with the arrival onto the scene of Frenchman Paul Bellari (Sergio Fantoni), an antiques dealer and decorator who Janet hires to decorate the house. Although neither Mike nor Janet had any initial thoughts of cheating on the other, Claire and Paul may have thoughts of their own, especially when Claire with Mike, and Paul with Janet, are thrown into one compromising position after another, which in and of themselves could potentially break up the Harper's marriage regardless.
Despite its modest budget of $3.9M, Do Not Disturb became a financial success, earning $8.0M worldwide—a 106% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Do Not Disturb (1965) demonstrates precise plot construction, characteristic of Ralph Levy's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 43 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Janet Harper
Mike Harper
Paul Bellari
Vanessa Courtwright
Claire Hackett
Main Cast & Characters
Janet Harper
Played by Doris Day
An American wife who moves to England with her husband and becomes entangled in a comedy of errors involving misunderstandings and romantic complications.
Mike Harper
Played by Rod Taylor
A wool executive transferred to England who becomes increasingly suspicious and jealous of his wife's supposed infidelities.
Paul Bellari
Played by Sergio Fantoni
A charming French antique dealer who becomes the object of Mike's jealous suspicions regarding his wife.
Vanessa Courtwright
Played by Reginald Gardiner
A sophisticated and scheming woman who attempts to seduce Mike and stir up trouble in the Harper marriage.
Claire Hackett
Played by Hermione Baddeley
Janet's friend and confidante who provides advice on navigating English society and marital difficulties.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Janet and Mike Harper are a happily married American couple. Mike receives exciting news about a job promotion that will take them to London, showing their loving relationship and optimistic future.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Mike becomes completely consumed by his new job, constantly working late and neglecting Janet. She finds herself alone in a foreign city, feeling isolated and unappreciated as Mike cancels plans and prioritizes work over their marriage.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Janet decides to make Mike jealous by pretending to have an affair with Paul Bellari. She actively chooses this deceptive strategy rather than direct confrontation, crossing into a world of lies and misunderstanding that will complicate everything., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Mike finally notices Janet's "relationship" with Paul and becomes jealous, seemingly a victory for Janet's plan. However, this is a false victory - instead of bringing them closer, it creates deeper misunderstanding and Mike responds by flirting with Vanessa, escalating the conflict., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The marriage seems irreparably damaged. Mike and Janet have a major confrontation where both believe the other has been unfaithful. Their relationship - the thing that mattered most - appears dead. Mike's career is also in jeopardy due to the scandal., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The truth comes out - Janet confesses the affair was fake, and both realize they want their marriage more than pride or career. They gain clarity about their priorities and commit to honest communication, combining Janet's need for attention with Mike's career in a balanced way., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Do Not Disturb's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Do Not Disturb against these established plot points, we can identify how Ralph Levy utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Do Not Disturb within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Janet and Mike Harper are a happily married American couple. Mike receives exciting news about a job promotion that will take them to London, showing their loving relationship and optimistic future.
Theme
A character mentions that marriage requires trust and communication, especially when couples face new challenges. This foreshadows the misunderstandings that will test the Harper's relationship.
Worldbuilding
The Harpers prepare for and arrive in London. We see their dynamic as a couple, Mike's career ambitions, Janet's role as a supportive wife, and their adjustment to British culture and Mike's demanding new position with the wool company.
Disruption
Mike becomes completely consumed by his new job, constantly working late and neglecting Janet. She finds herself alone in a foreign city, feeling isolated and unappreciated as Mike cancels plans and prioritizes work over their marriage.
Resistance
Janet struggles with loneliness and debates how to handle the situation. She meets their neighbor Vanessa Courtwright and antique dealer Paul Bellari, who give her attention Mike doesn't. Janet resists temptation but grows increasingly frustrated with Mike's workaholism.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Janet decides to make Mike jealous by pretending to have an affair with Paul Bellari. She actively chooses this deceptive strategy rather than direct confrontation, crossing into a world of lies and misunderstanding that will complicate everything.
Mirror World
Paul Bellari represents the thematic counterpoint - someone who gives Janet attention and romance. Their fake "affair" will teach Janet what she truly values: genuine connection with Mike rather than superficial attention from another man.
Premise
The comedy of errors unfolds as Janet's fake affair spirals out of control. Misunderstandings multiply, with Mike's boss and colleagues becoming involved. Janet explores this world of deception while Mike remains oblivious, creating increasingly absurd situations.
Midpoint
Mike finally notices Janet's "relationship" with Paul and becomes jealous, seemingly a victory for Janet's plan. However, this is a false victory - instead of bringing them closer, it creates deeper misunderstanding and Mike responds by flirting with Vanessa, escalating the conflict.
Opposition
The situation deteriorates as both spouses play jealousy games. Mike's professional reputation becomes threatened by the scandal. Janet's plan backfires spectacularly as the lies compound. Their marriage appears headed for real disaster rather than reconciliation.
Collapse
The marriage seems irreparably damaged. Mike and Janet have a major confrontation where both believe the other has been unfaithful. Their relationship - the thing that mattered most - appears dead. Mike's career is also in jeopardy due to the scandal.
Crisis
Janet realizes her deception was wrong and that she may have destroyed her marriage. She reflects on what truly matters - honest communication rather than games. Mike also faces the reality that his workaholism pushed Janet away and he nearly lost what he values most.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The truth comes out - Janet confesses the affair was fake, and both realize they want their marriage more than pride or career. They gain clarity about their priorities and commit to honest communication, combining Janet's need for attention with Mike's career in a balanced way.
Synthesis
The Harpers work together to resolve the misunderstandings with Mike's boss and colleagues, clear up the scandal, and restore Mike's professional standing. They demonstrate their renewed partnership and commitment, fixing the damage from their deceptions with honesty.
Transformation
The Harpers are shown together, balanced and happy. Mike has learned to prioritize their relationship alongside his career, and Janet has learned to communicate directly. They've transformed from a couple who nearly destroyed their marriage through poor communication into genuine partners.