Movies:
Call Me Madam |
DVD Release
- Release Date: 2004
- cc
- Full-length audio commentary by musical film scholar Miles Kreuger
- Theatrical trailer & teaser
- Rating:
- Genre: Musical
- Movie Type: Musical Romance
- Themes: Americans Abroad, Arranged Marriages, Culture Clash
- Director: Johnny Downs
- Main Cast: Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor, Vera-Ellen, George Sanders, Billy De Wolfe
- Release Year: 1953
- Country: US
- Run Time: 114 minutes
Plot
Ethel Merman reprised her role as a socialite turned diplomat in this screen adaptation of Irving Berlin's hit Broadway musical. Sally Adams (Merman) has made it her business to know everyone worth knowing in Washington D.C., and her penchant for parties pays off when she's appointed United States Ambassador to Lichtenburg. Once she is installed in her new position, she falls in love with suave Foreign Minister Cosmo Constantine (George Sanders), while Princess Maria (Vera-Ellen) has her head turned by Sally's press attaché, Kenneth (Donand O'Connor). Call Me Madam is a showcase for Merman's roof-raising musical comedy style, and here she gets to sing a handful of Berlin tunes, including "You're Just In Love," "Can You Use Any Money Today?" and "Hostess With The Mostes' on the Ball." Vera-Ellen's singing was dubbed by Carol Richards. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie GuideReview
Call Me Madam gave Ethel Merman one of only two chances (the other being Anything Goes) to re-create one of her stage triumphs on film, and Madam is a much more faithful and successful adaptation than Anything Goes. Merman is in top form here, demonstrating why she was a legend on-stage and at the same time why she was rarely used to good advantage in Hollywood. Merman's persona, as outsized as her clarion voice, was too difficult to capture on film. It's not that she overplayed, it's that she overexisted. Fortunately, even on film, Madam's Sally Adams demands an actress that can't help but dominate the proceedings. Merman's inimitable belt is in solid form, punching home "The Hostess With the Mostess' on the Bell" and "Can You Use Any Money Today." Her duet with Donald O'Connor, "You're Just in Love," is a showstopper. O'Connor is a delight throughout, as is Vera Ellen as his love interest. Their duets, "It's a Lovely Day Today" and "Something to Dance About," are highlights. O'Connor has often called Ellen his favorite dancing partner, and they are indeed a perfect match. Much more surprising is George Sanders, who carries off his change-of-pace musical leading man part with considerable aplomb. The film is marred by rather pedestrian direction and the fact that the script is strained and often silly, but the cast and the score make it fine, undemanding entertainment. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie GuideCast
- Ethel Merman - Mrs. Sally Adams
- Donald O'Connor - Kenneth
- Vera-Ellen - Princess Maria
- George Sanders - Cosmo Constantine
- Billy De Wolfe - Pemberton Maxwell
Helmut Dantine - Prince Hugo; Walter Slezak - Tantinnin; Steven Geray - Sebastian; Ludwig Stossel - Grand Duke; Lilia Skala - Grand Duchess; Charles Dingle - Sen. Brockway; Emory Parnell - Senator Gallagher; Percy Helton - Sen. Wilkins; Leon Belasco - Leader; Oscar Beregi - Chamberlain; Nestor Paiva - Miccoli; Torben Meyer - Rudolph; Richard Garrick - Supreme Court Justice; Walter Woolf King - Secretary of State; Olan Soule - Clerk; John Wengraf - Ronchin; Fritz Feld - Hat Clerk; Erno Verebes - Music Clerk; Hannelore Axman - Switchboard Operator; Donald Dillaway - Newspaper Reporter; Johnny Downs - Cameraman; Frank Gerstle - Newspaper Reporter; Lal Chand Mehra - Minister from Magrador; Gene Roth - Equerry; Allen Wood - Cameraman; Charles Conrad - Newspaper Reporter; Sid Marion - Proprietor
