Customer Reviews

Born Yesterday

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

From the moment she enters the picture and screeches "Whaaaaattttt??", in a voice that could peel wallpaper, you can't take your eyes off Judy Hollidays "Billie Dawn." In this movie adaptation of the Garson Kanin play, directed by famed "womans director" George Cukor, she takes a wonderfully written character and turns her into a classic movie performance that no one else could have played. Her crass, monosyllabic Billie is SO dumb, that, when her corrupt bully boyfriend, played by Broderick Crawford, first proposes to the owlish journalist, played by William Holden, that he refine Billies rough edges so she can be presented into the Washington society that he hopes to manipulate, well...you wonder how he can EVER mold this dim-witted clay. Along the way, she, for the first time, begins to actually THINK, and her development of a conscience and awareness of her self worth is as moving as it is comical. The backdrop of corrupt politicians who can be bought for a price (some things never change), provides the moral (immoral) climate in which Billie has unquestioningly (til now) existed. Seeing her grow into someone with character is touching to behold. In the scene towards the end, in the Rotunda, where she finally realizes the changes within her, and the potential for the "good" in life, it always brings a tear to the eye. As everyone knows, Judy Holliday beat out the toughest competition ever, Bette Davis for "All; About Eve", and Gloria Swanson for "Sunset Boulevard", to win the best actress Oscar for 1950. A good friend of mine, who knew Judy Holliday, and is presently writing a play about her life, corroborates what many already know, that she was an intensely serious and intelligent woman. Tragically, she died much too young. But her film roles will always ensure her reputation as a brilliant actress, with her portrayal of "Billie Dawn" being the role for which she'll most be remembered. There will never be another Judy Holliday, nor another Billie Dawn. (Don't even MENTION the Melanie Griffith remake!) Thanks for all the joy, dear lady.

Judy Holiday won an Oscar for this film, and no wonder: her performance of Billie Dawn, a "dumb broad" who suddenly wises up in a most unexpected way, is certainly one of the finest and most original film performances in 20th Century American cinema. The story, from the stage success, concerns a crass junk yard tycoon (Broderick Crawford) who goes to Washington to buy a Senator--and promptly considers that his blonde-bimbo mistress Billie Dawn (Holiday) lacks enough poise for such refined circles. He accordingly entices a reporter (William Holden) to "smarten her up." But things soon get out of hand: once her mind is awakened, Billie Dawn begins to perceive her lover and his political intrigues in a very different light.

The comedy is genuine, and Crawford and Holden are as memorable as Holiday herself. But there is some serious stuff behind the hilarity: issues of personal integrity, honesty, and civic duty become increasingly important as Billie evolves, and ultimately she must make a choice between her old life and a new one. The film very neatly balances its comic elements with its serious side, and neither predominate nor throw the film off center; director Cukor steers a perfect course. A must-see and a must-own.

Delightful! Hilarious!

How often do we get to see a perfect performance? We're closing in on a century of movies and, as we can see, it's pretty rare. So flawless was Judy Holliday's portrayal of Billie Dawn that, as a relative unknown, she came from behind to beat out two heavyweights for the Oscar in 1950. I'm sure this was due in no small part to her refining the role for nearly three years on stage.

Everything else fell into place as well. Broderick Crawford was just excellent as Harry Brock. Crawford is able to swing you back and forth between anger and sympathy for his character. Not an easy task! William Holden is perfectly calm and reserved as Paul Verrall. His character forms a wonderful opposite to Billie. And, with direction, George Cukor worked his usual magic.

Most of the themes are timeless. A person lives in ignorant bliss until their eyes are opened. They realize that there is a better life for them and begin their struggle for improvement. They discover that their greatest opponents to advancement are not those above them, but those at their current level.

A few of the elements are dated. Particularly Jim's speech about how hard it is to find a corrupt politician in Washington. Wow. Maybe that was the case in 1950. Now it's impossible to find an honest one.

It all comes back to Judy Holliday. This movie is her vehicle.
It is one of the most quoteable movies I've ever seen. "Would ya do me a favor, Harry? Drop. Dead." "You're just not couth!" "I should take this pencil and draw a circle around YOU!" "If there's a fire and I call the engines... who am I double-crossin? THE FIRE??"

She was a rare talent who we were only able to see for a very short time. I love all of her movies and this one, Born Yesterday, is my favorite.

Thank you Judy!!!!!!

I remember seeing this film when I was 12 or so with my Mom. It left an impression and I knew I would have to add this to my classic movie collection. How I enjoyed watching Judy Holliday's performance, she was unique with a wonderful sense of comedic timing. Anyone who collects classic comedies should add this to the list.

This was a real surprise to me!...although George Cukor is one the best directors of all time and I'm very fond of most of his pictures, Judy Holliday was never one of my favourites, especially because I hadn't seen much of her films, which aren't many.

Here, she simply stoles the show as the dumb, vulgar, low-brow, blonde, ex-chorus girl (Billie, née "Emma") and lover of an unscrupulous and corrupt "junk" millionaire, played with great skill by Broderick Crawford, one year after his flawless Academy Award Winner performance in the excellent "All the King's Men", who learns "how to think and to use her brains" with the aid of writer Paul Verrell (William Holden).

Holliday won an Academy Award for this performance, in one of the most polemical winnings of the A.A. History, because she defeated both Bette Davis (for "All About Eve") and Gloria Swanson (for "Sunset Boulevard"), and many people felt she shouldn't have won. Anyway, there's no denying that she gave and expert and very funny interpretation of the sassy Billie, with all the mannerisms, voice inflections, hollering,etc, especially in her scenes with Crawford.

You must watch this wonderful classic comedy.

I LOVE this movie! I have long been a fan of "Born Yesterday" and have had to wait until I happened (usually by accident) to see that it was on TV... now I can watch it whenever I want. Judy Holliday is wonderful in this role. The movie is funny and also a bit intense, although not by today's standards. My 11 year old daughter also liked it! If you like this movie, I also recommend "It Should Happen to You", also starring Judy Holliday. The DVD is excellent quality. It was definately worth the money. ENJOY.

When someone says he was not BORN YESTERDAY it usually means he has at least an iota of intelligence. Well, Billie Dawn (Judy Holliday), blonde showpiece of crooked Harry Brock (Broderick Crawford), was BORN YESTERDAY - amplified by a voice reminiscent of Jean Hagan in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN!

While Harry is in Washington to grease palms of corrupt politicians and increase the size of his "junk" empire, he realizes his uncouth heartthrob is a hinderance to his reputation - forget that his own personality is not all that winning. He hires journalist Paul Verrall (William Holden) to give his lady a crash course in "culture." The immediate physical attraction grows stronger as her head becomes filled with actual knowledge.

Billie was fine as long as she signed papers she didn't read, kept her mouth shut, absorbed insults, and sat around looking pretty. With her newfound "culture" she begins to peruse contracts, ask questions, volley insults, and walk away from arguments. Paul wanted a big story. And through Billie, he gets one.

As "one of the most successful comedies in Broadway history" BORN YESTERDAY ran 1643 performances with Holliday as the lead in 1200. The equally successful screen adaptation raked in five Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress for Holliday as Billie Dawn.

I enjoyed the humor of an unforgettable Billie - the timing and admittedly irritating tone of her voice made simple statements funny. You may even feel sorry for her lot in life - plush as it may appear. Nevertheless, this is a movie of triumphs. Through all the insults and pure stupidity, there are virtues and victories.

Favorite quote: "You are not one of my constituents by any chance, are you?" (Fidgety Billie begins rocking back and forth while she raises an eyebrow in the direction of a dictionary on a pedestal.) ... "I mean are you one of the people who voted for me."

Born Yesterday begins with a narcissistic junk dealer Harry Brock (Broderick Crawford) who is planning a major merger with his company to make loads of money. He uses his dizzy girlfriend Billie (Judy Holliday) as a middleman, though he really controls everything she "owns." She is just content to accept his lavish gifts and be pretty. That is until Paul(William Holden) comes along. He is hired by Harry to educate Billie; she embarasses him in front of sophisticated company. In the process, she learns just how corrupt her fiancee is and why her father has disowned her. She also develops eyes for her teacher.

Holliday won the Oscar for her performance in this film against such professionals as Bette Davis and Gloria Swanson. Indeed, her performance is wonderful. One can watch her character transform before one's eyes from a gold digging chorus girl to an intelligent woman. Her relationship with Holden is believable and powerful. In fact, all of the roles are well developed. The dialogue is conversational but intelligent, making this a very worthwhile film.

A tycoon who made his money in the junk metal business arrives in Washington with the intention of some political and financial double-dealing, he'll need a classy broad on his arm to make him look good. The problem is, his favored bit of eye-candy is a chorus girl with a funny voice. So, he hires a journalist to give the broad some smarts. The problem is, she learns -- more than they ever expected -- keeping the tycoon and the journalist on their toes!

Judy Holliday is an absolute wonder as Billie, and her chemistry with William Holden is delightful to behold. Broderick Crawford is perfectly cast as the self-made junk tycoon!

Born Yesterday is considered one of the classic comedies of all time, with good reason. It really belongs in your DVD collection.

Judy Holliday won an Oscar. She's Billie, the dumb, beautiful, girl-friend of Harry, (Crawford) a crooked, junk dealer on the make. They are in D.C. to "buy" Harry a Senator. Harry is a bully & wealthy. He virtually owns Billie giving her everything, except of course, what she wants most, affection. But he's too busy & she's merely his arm ornament. She's also a problem. She's ill-educated, coarse & basically an embarassmentt to Harry who's trying to impress & influence people. He hires Paul, (Holden) an unemployed journalist to refine Billie, educate her, & soften her rough edges. He does his job very well. We find that Billie is not so dumb at all. She also falls in love with Paul. With her new found knowledge she gets wise to Harry's illegal actvities. It bothers her & she feels guilty about her own situation, basically a bird in a guilded cage. With Paul's help she realizes that she does have options & it's a big world "out there". Excellent acting all around.