The Tub King Blog - Tub Talk: November 2014

Romantic Movies That Featured a Porcelain Clawfoot or Pedestal Bathtub Scene

By Kerry Knight

The British author John Galsworthy once wrote, “Love has no age, no limit; and no death.” When you think about it, the same could be said for a physical substance we humans can’t live without: water Embrace to the two and you’ve a potent mix for romance … especially in the bathtub.

If you’re a fan of romantic dramas or comedy films, you have probably seen segments featuring an amorous bathroom scene in a huge porcelain Clawfoot or Pedestal tub. You have to admit, these elegant bathing beauties are a perfect setting for love. In this segment of Tub Talk, we will visit several of the best romantic movies that featured these tubs. Here are some of my favorites:

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Pretty Woman. Who can forget the great roles Richard Gere and Julia Roberts played in this film? The 1990 movie, set in Los Angeles, is about a wealthy businessman named Edward, who is on a business trip. (By the way, Roy Orbison’s song, “Pretty Woman,” helped popularize the movie. Gere’s character needs an escort to accompany him to some social events, so hires a beautiful prostitute. There are a couple of classic scenes in the bathtub. The first has Roberts listening to her Sony Walkman and singing in the bathtub. The second scene has Roberts holding Gere in the tub as he leans back against her, relaxing from a fast-paced business life that he hates. She becomes his great escape. Roberts was nominated for an Oscar as Best Actress; won the Golden Globes; with Gere being nominated for the Golden Globes. The film won “Best Comedy” in the People’ Choice Awards. You might rename the movie, “Falling in Love in the Tub.”

Photo Credit: hookedonhouses.com

Pillow Talk. This film goes back a few decades, in 1959. Rock Hudson and Doris Day were ideal in this giddy comedy about two people who share a party phone line (Boy, is this one dated.) Hudson played a successful songwriter and Day was an interior decorator. Their early phone conversations are rather cool and apathetic. He pictures her as some jealous old maid. Seemingly every time she picks up the phone to use it, he’s trying to sing some new love song to one of his admiring females. The bathtub scene is classic, even by today’s standards as we see them both (through the use of split screen), in their separate rooms and bathtubs, talking to each other on the phone. As Hudson finds out just how beautiful and charming Day’s character is their romance begins to blossom.

Photo Credit: entertainment.time.com

Out of Sight, featuring with Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney, was released in 1998. There was tremendous chemistry between these two principal actors. Steven Soderbergh, the brilliant director, lights the bathtub scene with a soft red glow. Sure, it’s only a dream, but the scene in which Lopez’ character, U.S. Marshall, Karen Sisco, climbs into the bathtub, fully clothed and wearing high heels, with career criminal Jack Foley (played by Clooney), absolutely radiates with sexual heat and sophistication.

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It’s Complicated was released in 2009, starring Steve Marin, Meryl Streep and Alex Baldwin. While attending their son’s graduation, a divorced couple (Streep and Baldwin) reignites the spark in their prior relationship. The only problem is, they’re now divorced and Baldwin’s character has already married a younger woman. Baldwin and Streep ignore the fact they were once married to each other before engaging in a torrid affair and fall in love all over again. The scene by the bathtub illustrates how much Baldwin likes the changes that Streep has made in her life. Jake says, “I’m so glad you stopped doing bikini waxes. You’ve gone native.” It is a laugh a minute with great performances by all.

attending their son’s graduation, a divorced couple (Streep and Baldwin) reignites the spark in their prior relationship.

Photo Credit: ilybon.neti.net

The Reader, released in 2008, starred Kate Winslet, who won an Oscar and Golden Globes for “Best Actress.” The movie is set in post-World War II Germany. A young man has an affair with an older woman, and does not see her again for many years. They reunite as she defends herself in a war-crime trial. During the earlier time of seduction, he reads to her while they take a bath together in a Clawfoot tub. Somehow it seems to bring her out of an emotional fog.

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The Notebook was a real crowd favorite back in 2005, based on a popular novel by Nicholas Sparks. James Garner, who plays the aged version of Ryan Gosling, was nominated for an Oscar for his role. Gena Rowlands, who plays the aged version of Rachel McAdams, won the Golden Satellite Award for “Best Actress” in a supporting role. And both Gosling and McAdams won a Movie MTV Award for “best kiss.” The bathtub scene is purely romantic, as the two lovers fight against all odds to spend their lives together.

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Splash. Back in the mid-80s, this film became one of the most successful box office releases of the romantic comedy genre. It starred Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah. Hanks played a man who is saved from drowning by a real-life mermaid. They, of course, fall in love and the comedy is endless. She’s able to function as a normal human female on land, for a while, but the fun begins when she’s taking a bath as a mermaid and Hanks wants to come into the bathroom. This bathtub scene is priceless.

In all of these movie selections, one prop stands out above all others: the bathtub. It allows the actors to present their emotional vulnerability as well as their seductive playfulness. These Clawfoot and Pedestal bathtub beauties will always remind us of some of the greatest romantic movies of all time.

In this article, I talked about and featured some of the most memorable bathtub scenes in major romantic comedy films. I discussed some of the plot scenarios, mentioned the leading actors, listed key awards and nominations, described some of the bathroom scenes, and more.

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If you found this article useful, please share it with your family, friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, leave it in the Comment section of this blog. Thanks again for visiting with us.

If you’d like to receive a FREE Clawfoot Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here. Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and I’ll personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you. On behalf of all of us at Tub King, here's wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving.

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Alan and Kerry Knight are owners of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida. Together they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products, they are also award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” four years running. If you’d like to contact them, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or send an email to Alan@tubking.com.


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Five Ways to Appreciate Your Parents During Thanksgiving

By Kerry Knight

Photo Credit: businesstocommunity.com

No, I’m not going to preach a sermon. We’ll leave that to the priests, bishops, rabbis, deacons and other leaders of worship. But I do want to say a few things about taking action instead of uttering a mere words.

Unfortunately, not all parents deserve to wear the T-shirts that say, “World’s Greatest Dad,” or “World’s Greatest Mom.” There is much variation in the parenting skills among individuals. Some do a great job of instilling good character, strong work ethics, a passion for education, persistence to achieve, and a sense of patriotism and civic-mindedness. On the other hand, many should never have become parents in the first place. Thankfully, this number is in the minority.

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During the Thanksgiving holiday, let me suggest a few ways you might genuinely show your appreciation to your parents. H. Jackson Brown wrote, “Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed in the things you didn’t do than the ones you did do.” Don't that statement pertain to your relationship with your parents and other loved ones.

As our parents age, giving them our time might be the most precious gift of all. As parents reach their golden years, personal companionship with loved ones and friends becomes vitally important. This is especially true if one parent has lost their mate. Children and grandchildren may be their only family left. Many grown children are content to send their parents’ money, pay for their assisted living home, or pay someone else to spend time with their senior parents. But is this really what they need? Their golden years can be awfully lonely. Instead of calling your parents on the phone to say, “I love you,” why not make a surprise visit, for no reason, except to show them how much you care.

Photo Credit: boomerserrandservice.com

Take your parents to one of their favorite places. Maybe it’s a restaurant offering their favorite menu items, or shopping at the local mall. Yes, it may be inconvenient and difficult. They may have to be helped into the automobile. They might require you to help them with their walker or even their wheelchair. Or maybe there's a favorite activity you can share, such as playing cards, making music, cooking, playing with their grandchildren, etc. Sure, it might be time consuming and a slow ordeal for you, but what is it worth to them? Mark Twain once said, “Action speaks louder than words, but not nearly as often.”

Reminisce with them about the past. Many seniors spend a lot of time thinking about the past. That’s where their world is. The present may be too painful for them to contemplate, and the future uncertain. Memory can be a wonderful thing. If their mind is still sharp, they may surprise you with what they can recall. Strangely enough, even with dementia, many seniors can recall details of the past that will astound you. Why not pull down some old photo albums and recreate some special memories with them. It will take your time, but think about what you are doing for them. “The pleasure of remembering has been taken from me, because there was no one left to remember with,” writes John Green. Don’t let this describe the situation with your parent(s).

Photo Credit: sociologyinfocus.com

Invite them over for the holidays. Nothing is worse than spending the holidays with strangers or worse yet, alone. If your parents don’t live with you, you should invite them to your home for important holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, New Years, etc. Take them shopping to buy gifts during the giving season. The budget is not important, it’s the activity itself. What a great way to say, “I love you,” in deeds not words. Having mom or dad to sit around the fireplace with grown children, kids, grandkids, and other close family members are priceless. They will feel loved. Having somewhere to go is a home away from home. Having someone to love is family. Having both is a true blessing.

Photo Credit: crunchyworld.com

If you’re buying a gift for your parents, purchase something that really makes a statement about how much you care about them and their well-being. I’m not talking about a shawl, fruitcake, a pair of pajamas or even a tablet. How about something that will give them a better quality of life? For example, my own mother has fallen many times. Each time makes her weaker and more susceptible to falling again. Statistics show that falls can cause serious head trauma, especially in seniors, and maybe even death.

Two of the greatest innovations to come along in recent years to create a safer environment for seniors, especially in the dangerous bathroom area, are Walk-in Tubs and the Safety Shower Suites. Each system has specific safety and ergonomic features designed for seniors and those who may have mobility issues.

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Importantly, both the Walk-in Tub and Safety Suite Showers allow your beloved senior to bathe without assistance. Each state-of-the-art product is specifically designed for easy access and egress, so your parent can feel secure as they enter and exist their bathing area. Both products are specifically designed for safety by providing grab bars at strategically located areas to facilitate movement inside the bathing environment. Both have special, non-slip surfaces. The Walk-in tub has a non-slip seat and the Safety Suite Shower has a variety of different non-slip seating configurations you can choose from. Our new Safety Suite Showers can accommodate wheelchairs, walkers and makes it easy for those with less mobility to get in and out of the shower.

For additional information about Walk-in Tubs, check out some of our previous blogs, including: “There’s Never Been a Better Time to Buy a Walk-in Tub,” “The Number One Question Asked About Walk-in Tubs,” and others.

For more information about out new Safety Suite Showers, read “What’s New in Showers? Sophistication Today, Safety Tomorrow.”

Photo Credit: corbisimages.com

Tub King’s Walk-in Tubs and Safety Suite Showers both have proven to help seniors in so many ways. Wouldn’t this be a perfect way to show your love and appreciation to your parents? Family is not just about saying, “I love you,” it’s about who is willing to hold someone's hand when they need it the most.

In this article, I mentioned several different ways you can show your aging parents how much you care and appreciate them, including the gift of a safe bathroom and bathing experience. Ensuring they’re safe and can still maintain dignity and privacy while bathing themselves is one way to do it. Walk-in Tubs and Safety Shower Suites are the perfect gifts to show your parent(s) they’re foremost in your heart.

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If you’d like to receive a FREE Walk-In Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here. Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and I’ll personally get back to you.

It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.

On behalf of all of us at Tub King, here’s wishing you, your parents, and all your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving.

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Alan and Kerry Knight are the owners of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida. Together they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products, they are also award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” four years running. If you’d like to contact them, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or send an email to Alan@tubking.com.

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