"Born Yesterday" is on TCM now - nice movie with a patriotic theme

[checks-n-balances]

Wish I had thought of posting this beforehand since it's aready started. Judy Holliday, kept woman of a gangster (Broderick Crawford), moves to D.C. with him as he tries bribing a Congressman. But she falls in love with William Holden, a nerdish type hired by Crawford to teach Holliday some "couth".

By "patriotic" I mean the film discusses the founding of the U.S. and some of the principles of the U.S. Constitution.

If you can't catch it on TCM, I think it's still on YouTube in parts. Great flick with Holliday winning the Best Actress Oscar in 1950.

[NYCGirl]

1. I love Judy Holliday's performance as Billie Dawn. NT

[eleny]

2. She's subtle even when her character may be a little over the top

One of my favorites. :thumbsup:

[murielm99]

6. I loved her. She died too soon.

If you haven't seen her performance in Adam's Rib," rent that one.

[Warpy]

3. I've always gotten a kick out of this cockeyed "Pygmailion"

First of all, Judy Holliday was no dumb blonde and the film has a subtext of denial of opportunity being the most damaging thing of all to the human spirit.

Had the nerd never appeared to teach her some "couth," we could see her in a few years, discarded by Brock and quite possibly framed for all the stuff he did in her name, stretch in prison, living the rest of her life working long hours at a job that barely pays the rent, like clerking in Woolworth's.

As it is, Brock's property turns neatly into his nemesis as part of her coming of mental age due to an opportunity she might never have had.

Holliday so deserved that Oscar, an upset for a relative unknown at the time.

[Lancer]

4. My favorite line delivery ever (if you know the movie you'll get it):

BILLIE: ..."a CARTEL!"

[Aristus]

5. Here's me and a friend playing Paul Verrall and Brock in a local production:

This is a "behind the scenes" shot that was used for publicity.

[checks-n-balances]

7. COOL pic!! How was the play received?

Sorry I didn't get to see it (so you played the Wm. Holden role?). Would love to see it done as a stage production sometime.

[Aristus]

9. Fairly well. Billy was played by the woman who is now my wife, so there was some definite

on-stage chemistry. The sets were relatively poor, though, which is a liability in this play because it's set in a swanky, up-scale hotel room. My wife and I came up with a great unscripted gag for the end of the first act: Her Billie was constantly chewing gum, and during the kiss between Billie and Paul just before intermission, she transferred the gum to my mouth, and I walked off stage happily chewing her gum. The audience roared!...

[checks-n-balances]

10. lol - that gag could only work with a husband/wife team!

I would think the part of Billie would be challenging but still a lot of fun. That's great that you both have the memory of doing that play together!

[pnorman]

8. "I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility to....."

My memory isn't all that exceptional, but right after viewing that movie (over a half century ago!), I had that Jefferson quote down cold. I can still do it!

I got that DVD about a month ago, and will probably view it again tonight. Thanks for the reminder!

pnorman

[eleny]

11. Just ended and what a terrific film - many lenghty scenes with no break

Coming up, The Philadelphia Story followed by The Women with Norma Shearer. It's a good night for TCM. But then they usually are an evening well spent.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

12. This is one of my most favorite movies. Judy Holliday was brilliant in this.

On edit... this is one of those movies that helped define my sense of ethics. A Man For All Seasons was another one.