OK, first thing I need to say about this movie is NOTE the date - do not accidentally rent the remake starring Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson. That movie is terrible, this movie is wonderful. Judy Holliday died when she was only 43 which is a shame because she was one of the greatest comedic actresses ever. Luckily she left us with a dozen or so sweet and funny movies, almost all romantic comedies like this one. I personally think this is one of the best.
Synopsis:
The movie begins with arrival of Harry Brock (Broderick Crawford) and his girlfriend Emma 'Billie' Dawn (Judy Holliday) in Washington, DC. The amount of luggage they have and the multiple furs that Billie hands to a porter immediately identify them as rich. Then Brock complains that he's only being given a wing of the hotel instead of an entire floor. His accent and his attitude immediately make it clear that he is not old money. A reporter named Paul Verrall (William Holden) tries to ask him a question as he gets in the elevator and is brusquely rebuffed. Soon Brock's lawyer Jim Devery (Howard St. John) arrives to go over the 'business' that Brock has in Washington. We learn that Brock owns a number of salvage yards throughout the country and is town looking for a favor from Congress to improve business and is planning to bribe a congressman to get his way. Devery has set up an interview with the very reporter who was shut down at the elevator. He is clearly suspicious of Brock and interested in exposing him, but he also manages to charm Brock by showing he's not afraid of him.
After a disastrous dinner that night with the congressman and his wife, Devery and Brock decide that Billie needs to be smartened up and Brock decides that Verrall is just the man for the job. Devery warns against it but Brock likes him so he hires him for an astronomical sum and introduces him to Billie. She takes an immediate liking to him in a much less cerebral way, making a pass immediately. Holden demurs and pursues Brock's plan showing Billie all around Washington and giving her reading about the country and the government. A crash course in civics and macroeconomics apparently. Billie's education soon grows out of control however and begins to endanger Harry's plans much more than her prior crassness ever had. And Holden's interest in her becomes less and less cerebral them more time they spend together.
This is a marvelous romantic comedy. It's based upon the play by Garson Kanin which he helped to adapt for the screen though he wasn't given credit. The comedy part of romantic comedy is as strong as the romantic part which makes it so much fun to watch. Holliday had starred in the Broadway version and frankly it's difficult to imagine any other actress ever playing this role. She and Holden were both masters of romantic comedy and their chemistry here is lovely. Crawford is wonderful playing the kind of gruff character he was known for and is a great foil for both Holliday and Holden. George Cukor, another master of the genre is the director and he gets perfect performances out of all of his players, including the supporting ones. This is a perfect date night movie, I promise.
Director ......................................................George Cukor
Writers ........................................................Garson Kanin (Play)
....................................................Albert Mannheimer (screenplay)
Judy Holliday .............................................Emma 'Billie' Dawn
Broderick Crawford .................................. Harry Brock
William Holden ......................................... Paul Verrall
Howard St. John .........................................Jim Devery
Frank Otto ..................................................Eddie
Larry Oliver ............................................... Congressman Norval Hedges
Barbara Brown ...........................................Mrs. Hedges
Claire Carelton ...........................................Helen
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