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Movies / On DVD / Born Yesterday
Born Yesterday

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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

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Born Yesterday

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

The real chemistry on screen is between [Judy] Holliday and [Michael] Crawford who deftly and wittily explore every nuance of their relationship.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
05/24/03
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Magic.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Judy Holliday steals the show as the dumb blonde whose gangster boyfriend wants her to acquire some culture, so he hires her a tutor.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
01/11/08
Marjorie Baumgarten
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle

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.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Bosley Crowther
Bosley Crowther
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Lively political comedy.

Full Review Source: Classic Film and Television | comment Comment
08/08/08
Michael E. Grost
Michael E. Grost
Classic Film and Television

George Cukor directed, a little impersonally for him.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
01/11/08
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader

It's full of great ideas about the wonder of the common man.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Brad Laidman
Brad Laidman
Film Threat

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.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
04/10/07
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Fun and funny, with some fabulous verbal sparring.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
01/15/05
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

A pretty entertaining film.

Full Review Source: Goatdog's Movies | comment Comment
07/14/02
Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Goatdog's Movies

Its attack on the political system being corrupted is too mild for today's even more expanded corrupt times.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
02/03/06
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Speaking in a ditsy, shrill lilt that hints at concealed wisdom, Holliday slyly turns the dumb-blonde stereotype inside out.

Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star | comment Comment
12/03/04
Phil Villarreal
Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star

The highlight of this lively Garson Kanin Broadway comedy is the most delightful 'dumb blonde' to ever grace the screen...

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
01/11/08
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
03/26/09
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Forget the re-make. This is the original!

comment Comment
04/15/04
Susan Granger
Susan Granger
www.susangranger.com

Classic translation of the play that would have been even better with Paul Douglas.

comment Comment
12/29/02
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

No review available.

comment Comment
05/14/04
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

No review available.

comment Comment
09/10/04
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

comment Comment
05/12/05
Thomas Delapa
Thomas Delapa
Boulder Weekly

No review available.

comment Comment
08/02/02
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; UK critics are listed first)
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