Where Were You When the Lights Went Out? (1968)

Where Were You When the Lights Went Out? turns a real-life citywide blackout into a bright, bustling comedy of manners, the kind that finds humor in New Yorkers improvising their way through inconvenience, temptation, and unexpected encounters. The film’s real spark comes from its cast: Doris Day’s warmth and timing anchor the chaos, Robert Morse brings a jittery, modern snap, and Terry-Thomas glides in with that deliciously arch flair that makes even small moments pop. It’s sprightly, easygoing entertainment with a glossy late-’60s studio sheen—more about good company and clever predicaments than big laugh set pieces. If you like your comedies breezy and feel-good, with a playful sense of urban mischief, this is a charming time capsule; if you’re craving sharper satire or deeper bite, it may feel lightweight, but it rarely stops being fun.

Where Were You When the Lights Went Out? wants to turn the 1965 blackout into a breezy, citywide farce with romantic mix-ups and a bit of corporate skulduggery, and you can see the appeal of that premise. The problem is it rarely cashes the check: the jokes feel dated, the plot is painfully predictable, and the whole thing moves like it’s waiting for something funnier to happen. If you’re expecting sharp satire or big laugh set pieces, you’ll likely find it flat and oddly stagnant. Still, if you’re a Doris Day completist or you enjoy gentle, old-fashioned studio comedies more for their comfort than their punchlines, it may be an easy enough watch.