Magic.
Born Yesterday (1950)
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Reviews Counted:20
Fresh:19
Rotten:1
Average Rating:8.1/10
Runtime: 1 hr 43 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: Judy Holliday reprises her Broadway role in this fresh and entertaining comedy based on Garson Kanin's play, directed by George Cukor. Although reputedly not the first choice for the film role,... Judy Holliday reprises her Broadway role in this fresh and entertaining comedy based on Garson Kanin's play, directed by George Cukor. Although reputedly not the first choice for the film role, Holliday won an Academy Award for her priceless portrayal of a "dumb but savvy" blonde who outsmarts the man who attempts to control her. Junk tycoon Harry Crock (Broderick Crawford) uses his ignorant and naive mistress, ex-chorus girl Billy Dawn (Holliday), as a front for his shady deals but finds himself embarrassed to travel in Washington society with his illiterate paramour. Crock hires a journalist (William Holden) who agrees to educate Billy. Holliday is delightful in her transformation to a woman of intellect and culture; the Pygmalion-like story is filled with laughs and sexual innuendo. Billy is an apt pupil and the brutish Crock is the loser in the love game in this appealing, deft film. [More]
Starring: Judy Holliday, William Holden, Frank Otto, Broderick Crawford
Starring: Judy Holliday, William Holden, Frank Otto, Broderick Crawford, Howard St. John, Larry Oliver, Grandon Rhodes, Barbara Brown, Claire Carleton, Charles Cane, Helen Eby-Rock, Mike Mahoney
Director: George Cukor
Director: George Cukor
Composer: Frederick Hollander
Reviews for Born Yesterday
The real chemistry on screen is between [Judy] Holliday and [Michael] Crawford who deftly and wittily explore every nuance of their relationship.
Judy Holliday steals the show as the dumb blonde whose gangster boyfriend wants her to acquire some culture, so he hires her a tutor.
The highlight of this lively Garson Kanin Broadway comedy is the most delightful 'dumb blonde' to ever grace the screen...
By the timer Kanin's play was made into a film, the work has lost some of its political bite, and the last reel is too preachy for a comedy, but make no mistake, as the dumb blonde Judy Holliday is brilliant.
Its attack on the political system being corrupted is too mild for today's even more expanded corrupt times.
Speaking in a ditsy, shrill lilt that hints at concealed wisdom, Holliday slyly turns the dumb-blonde stereotype inside out.
More firm in its social implications than ever it was on the stage and blessed with a priceless performance by rocketing Judy Holliday, this beautifully integrated compound of character study and farce made a resounding entry at the Victoria yesterday.
Classic translation of the play that would have been even better with Paul Douglas.
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