Customer Reviews

The Solid Gold Cadillac [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although older film buffs remember her fondly, I suspect that Judy Holliday is not as familiar to classic cinema fans today as she should be. She was a beautiful, charming actress who sparkled in comedy roles. While her career took off in the late 40s, it was during the 50s that she made her most famous films, although the number of movies were relatively few. She was caught up in the communist witch-hunts of the 50s, which--to Hollywood's disgrace--had an impact on her film career, and the number of quality roles offered. She was not the only victim during those dark days. By the 60s, she was seriously ill, and succumbed to breast cancer, at age 44.

"The Solid Gold Cadillac" gave Ms. Holliday one of her best roles. As a minor shareholder in a major company, her character asks some simple, but pointed questions at a stock-holders' meeting that lead to various complications for a very greedy, dishonest and unethical Board of Directors, played by John Williams ( smarmy and unscrupulous ), Fred Clark ( a two-faced bully ) and Ray Collins ( indignant and crooked ). She also becomes involved with the founder of the company, played by Paul Douglas, a decent man with too much integrity for those sharks on the Board. The whole cast is excellent, and the plot is consistently amusing.

I found the main theme of this film to be just as relevant today. We are living in an era of high-profile corporate scandal ( eg. Enron, Hollinger, the list goes on and on ). When these situations are investigated, what is found at the bottom ? Nothing but pure, unadulterated greed. The more things change, etc. Actually, I could see "The Solid Gold Cadillac" being updated today--technology has changed, the "numbers" are a lot bigger--but good old-fashioned greed is still around, big-time ! I could see one of our current actresses, with a flair for comedy, having a big hit with this "remake". I nominate Sandra Bullock--hey Sandy--you'd be terrific !

In the mean time, this is a delightful DVD--nice picture, mono sound, of course, and a fine souvenir of Judy Holliday--a star who shone too briefly, but very brightly.

Solid Gold Cadillac is a wonderful example of 1950's comedies. It was very well cast, not only Judy Holliday, but the rest of the supporting cast was great. The script was sharp and funny. It had funny, well-written characters. The film moves well. It's wholesome, clean fun with a nice message and a nice ending.

It is one of the few films made by the wonderful Judy Holliday. Though typecast as the "dumb blonde" in most productions, such as this one, she brings an aura or something that makes the screen light up when she's on it like you're seeing something special. You are. When she's not on screen, you miss her. I don't know if it's her timing, or facial expressions, or what, but this woman really had it. I guess the trade off for her brief film career is that she really did not appear in any "bad" productions and otherwise was afforded top scripts with top directors and co-stars.

I thought this transfer was lovely, the film really looked sharp and the whites and blacks were almost new-looking. The color sequence at the end was nice.

This is by no means the best/top of the 1950's as far as comedies go, but it's a nice example of a solid, quality production that is a joy to watch. If you are not a fan of 50's movies or otherwise don't enjoy/appreciate older movies or particular cast members here, you will probably find this dull. Comedies have changed a lot over the years, what was funny then, some may not find interesting or enjoyable now. If you're not sure, watch Judy Holliday's "Born Yesterday" before viewing this. If you enjoy that and liked Miss Holliday, then give this a try.

Judy Holliday plays the delightful role of Laura Partrige, a naive young actress who had just inherited 10 shares to one of the country's biggest corporation. Through her kindness and street-smart she was able to land a job with the company, unify its small stockholders and give the boot to its crooked board of directors. All this while she manages to fall in love with the company's alienated founder.

The film is light and funny with Holliday pulling off her dumb blonde routine to the hilt. However, the dialogue was always constantly there to remind you that underneath that vail of innocence is the smarts and the kind heart of a street smart executive. The other cast member were terrific in pulling off their lines making this a memorable film for anyone who loves the underdog win.

Another Judy Holliday film. This one with Paul Douglas, Fred Clark, Arthur O'Connell and narration by George Burns. Judy Holliday (as "Laura Partridge") attends a stockholder's meeting. The meeting goes by too routinely. They almost neglect to see the waving hand of Miss Holliday. Naturally being a stockholder herself, she has a question to ask, before they vote for Treasurer. She does ask some very simple, honest questions, but these white-collar showboats just can't give her an honest answer without the push-off or feeding their face. Well, this smart blonde woman makes a motion and since she does own 10 shares, she would like to form a stockholders committee of her own to discuss the "too big" salaries of the showboats. She does get involved and this woman will make some unselfish changes. Watch the business and the fun begin. The ending of the film changes to color.

To see Judy Holliday in brilliant full color, see her with Dean Martin and Jean Stapleton in Bells Are Ringing (1960).

I saw this film this week with a theater audience, who were completely engaged as a group with the plot points because of the charming performances. The comedic range of Judy Holliday in this film is astonishing, and she is giftwrapped for viewers' full appreciation by period fashions of 1956. There is an immediate smile as Holliday and Paul Douglas head for the lunch counter at Schrafts, Douglas is warned that a bridge toll will cost him twenty-five cents, and the steno pool uses the latest in Smith Corona typewriters. The entire cast works well together with material that was naughty on Broadway half a century ago during the Eisenhower years, wringing the naughtiness out for us with subtly knowing leers.

Of particular interest to me was watching Ray Collins shortly before he immortalized Lt. Tragg on the b&w PERRY MASON and a dozen years after he played the political foil to Welles's Kane. A member of the chorus of corrupt corporate execs, he has the fewest lines and least to contribute. Observe his workmanlike energy as he fits himself to a thankless part and retains professional dignity by doing exactly what it requires.

What can you say about Judy Holliday? Her timing was always absolutely perfect. Her facial expressions frequently making speech unnecessary. In Solid Gold Cadillac she gives a magical portrayal of a supposedly, dumb blonde, part time actress with no appreciation of Shakespeare, ("You don't even get to sit down unless you're a king" - a typical Holliday line) but who is nonetheless shrewd enough to see through the corrupt shenanigans of the board of directors of a multi-national company in which she owns ten shares. The partnering of Judy Holliday with that fine actor, Paul Douglas, as Edward L. McKeever, the upright, down to earth and totally INCORRUPTIBLE founder of the company, who is "scared of girls", works like a dream. The film also has excellent support from Ray Collins, Arthur O'Connell, Neva Patterson, John Williams and of course Fred Clark, as Snell, the oily, slippery, nasty piece of work company treasurer. I defy anyone not to hiss whenever he appears. In addition to being a lovely romantic comedy, this is also a tale of good fighting to overcome evil, and the little people of this world getting together and refusing to be trampled by a big faceless conglomerate. If you've never seen this picture before, or maybe never seen a Judy Holliday movie, you're in for a treat.

I cannot stand Judy's voice, but I love this movie. It is entertaining and I have never seen another movie even remotely like it. I love it for its originality and ingenuity.

I'm a Big,Big, Big, Judy Holiday Fan!!!!! I have all of here movies(Not as many as I would like, because she died to young.)This is one of her best!!! Once you see it you'll be a Fan!!!

This is the somewhat dark comedy predecessor to "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" in that both deal with corporate greed and bureaucracy with a satirical approach. Holliday is masterful, as always, in her portrayal of a somewhat naive stockholder who is given a position with the company to shut her up--she ends up saving the day for the employees and stockholders by performing an end-run around the officers. Certainly as entertaining, if not moreso, as her "Bells Are Ringing" with Dean Martin. I loved it!

thank you Michael(?) for an excelant condition product ! my son loved it. his favorite classic movie
sincerly ,janet sellars