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"Call Me Madam" (1953) possesses perhaps the most complete list of attributes that most other musicals made since the early 1970s have completely lacked of any film ever made. Its protagonist is past 40 and not particularly attractive, female. gruff, tough-minded and smart. Her romantic opposite number in the film is foreign, classically-trained as a singer, anti-United States, honest, unpopular in his own country and a nobleman. The second leads are a comic dancer and a short, skinny blonde playing a member of a foreign royal family. Veteran Walter Lang used this material to fashion a well-directed film set in a Graustarkian nation all of whose leaders want U.S. aid from the new ambassador--except for one man, the man the heroine, the new U.S. ambassador, falls for. Arthus Sheekman deserves the credit for making of Russel Crouse's and Howard Lindsay's book of the stage hit of the same name, with music by Irving Berlin, the best of his musicals and a filmic delight. Solid Sol Siegel produced and Leon Shamroy supplied vivid cinematography for this ambitious work that goes indoors, outdoors, presents at night and by day and does all with seemingly effortless ease, by my standards. With art direction by Lyle Wheeler and John De Cuir, set decorations by dependable Walter Scott and a range of colorful costumes by Irene Sharaff the movie had to be beautiful, and it is. Add in musical work by Ken Darby with the singers, Earle Hagen as orchestrator and Robert Alton as choreographer, and interesting results should have been expected. Songs such as "You're Not Sick You're Just in Love", "It's a Lovely Day Today" a folkloric showstopper, "The Hostess With the Mostess" and a dance number that rivals Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers at their best for staging and the possibilities improve even more. But the film is also one that moves well, is pleasant, intriguing, and features a large number of locales, moods and scenes, tied to a running gag about the then new female ambassador's boss, Harry Truman, who appointed her and to whom she reports by phone. Something special with these elements mixed well was bound to happen. It happened I say because of Ethel merman's very professional approach and the great singing and acting of her award-level co-star, George Sanders as the honest official who woos her. Billy de Wolfe is Merman's insufferable underling, Donal O'Connor her protégé and Vera Ellen the royal with whom O'Connor falls in love. Helmut Dantine is powerful as O'Connor's rival, Walter Slezak and Steven Geray two bumbling comic ministers. Others in the large and talented cast includes Ludwig Stossel, Lilia Skala as his wife, capable Emory Parnell, Percy Helton and Charles Dingle as well as Oscar Beregi, Olan Soule and Nestor Paiva. For an adult viewer, one willing to forego Hollywood's usual musical clichés, this amiable and memorable entertainment--based loosely on the life of real-life hostess Perle Mesta--should work satisfactorily from brassy opening to intelligent conclusion. Not to be missed, if only for Sanders' musical numbers.
Maddyclassicfilms
This is one of the best musicals and is a sweet little love story focusing on two couples of different ages.The wealthy American society hostess Sally Adams(Ethel Merman)is appointed American Ambassador to the royal country of Lichtenburg.She goes there with her young aide Kenneth Gibson(Donald O'Connor)who falls in love with the young and beautiful Princess Maria(Vera Ellen)who is a national treasure and delights the people with her dancing skills at the annual festivals.While their little romance blooms(against protocol)Sally falls in love with the charming and kind General Cosmo Constantine(George Sanders).Cosmo is a gentleman of the old school and sweeps Sally off her feet with manners,charm and sincerity.Featuring some toe tapping songs and Vera Ellen proving once again that she's one of the best dancers of all time(check her out in White Christmas as well).I was also pleasantly surprised to see that George can sing he had a gorgeous voice and it serves him well when he's singing I for one could listen all day to him.Although it doesn't have loads of character development(there never really is in a lot of musicals)this is a must see which will entertain you and and is one to watch on a rainy day or if you need cheering up.
rsternesq
Wonderful from beginning to end and the end came too soon. Merman sometimes gets to be a bit much in other circumstances but here she is (forgive the pun) pitch perfect and so is the entire cast. Perhaps I finally, after resisting for thirty years, have finally fallen for George Sanders. What a fine figure of a man as they used to say. Mrs. Muir may have been onto something while I couldn't get past Rex Harrison. Oh well. It is never too late to feel that ping of recognition that I absolutely love this endearing film and just about everyone in it. I'd be pleased to call her madam anytime. Wow. Catch it whenever you can.
thrwmbsbgkdoepmcjrmrdw
I love the movie. I'm a huge Donald O'Connor fan which is why I saw it in the first place. The acting is well done and I love the music. I know I just said that I saw it for Donald O'Connor, but musicals are also my favorite genre of movie. So as far as musicals go it's one of the best. It's funny, it's romantic, and leaves a smile on your face through out the whole movie. The actors are enjoyable to watch them bring these characters alive. And though the stars are gone and no longer with us, we can still enjoy their presence in the movies and in this wonderful, wonderful movie, Call Me Madam. So if you haven't seen it yet, get off your butt and go see it! What are you waiting for? It's not every day that a great movie like this comes along. So go now!
