Simply Perfect

Beautiful, moving film.

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

After so many years of reading about this Irving Berlin musical, I finally watched Call Me Madam twice. The first time was just the movie, the second time was with great commentary by Miles Kreuger who usually stays silent for the great songs that come in play. Anyway, seeing Ethel Merman recreate her Broadway role is such a treat since it very rarely happened to her when she did movies. And the people she was paired with for this version-George Sanders as her leading man and Donald O'Connor as her assistant-are perfect with her especially the latter when they sing the counterpoint-duet, "You're Just in Love". Also great is Vera-Ellen whenever she and O'Connor dance up a storm. In fact, when I read they almost reteamed in White Christmas and Donald couldn't do it because of illness, I felt a little sad even though Danny Kaye wasn't a bad replacement in that one. Of those leads, only Vera-Ellen's singing voice is dubbed by one Carol Richards who I previously knew sang with Bing Crosby on "Silver Bells" and now, due to Kreuger, know dubbed Cyd Charisse in many of her M-G-M musicals. Despite that, it wasn't too noticeably different from her actual voice so it was all right and a good compliment to the others especially Sanders who warbles here for the only time on film. Oh, and there are quite a few good comedy set pieces like when Ms. Merman goes to meet the king and queen of the country she's visiting. Okay, while Call Me Madam isn't a perfect movie, it's a highly enjoyable one and kudos to director Walter Lang for putting this all together. So yes, that's a recommendation. P.S. In acknowledging people native to my birthtown of Chicago, Ill., I was pleasantly surprised to find out Mr. O'Connor was from there.

"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.

As the new generation of film musical fans are catching up on their next Judy Gardland vehicle, how many of them know of the powerhouse singer Ethel Merman? Best known for her great dancing duet with Gene Kelly in "On the Town" and Danny Kaye in "White Christmas", who would even think of Vera-Ellen and Donald O'Connor as a dancing pair no less worthy of praising than Fred and Ginger? Those who saw George Sanders in his better known films, which one of you knows that he has a pleasant singing voice and is capable of playing gentle role with inviting charm? For a film as captivating as this, it is no surprise that it was a hit when it was first released. It is therefore deeply regrettable that such a wonderful gem was buried away from the public for decades due to copyright issue. Now finally available on DVD, will it find its new batch of fans? It deserves to. After 5 decades, it has indeed ages very well. It has no deep plot or provocative themes. It is sheer delight and entertainment from the start to the end. Every songs are sweetly memorable for me and the music is constantly melodious.The moment Merman appears in the first scene, her loud and vibrant personality will grab the attention of her audiences. When she starts singing, Merman dominates the screen. It is no wonder why she was such a great star on Broadway. Sadly, this is the only time she won massive favour from the public. One wonders why.Merman may be the center of attention of the film, but all the supporting casts play well against her. She has such lovely chemistry with George Sanders and, oh, how well they sing together! Donald O'Connor makes a good companion of Merman, but more importantly, he makes a perfect lover of Vera Ellen. The way they dance is pure magic. Inspite of their different dancing styles and personality, they compliment each other technically and emotionally with such perfection.Story wise, certain things may be hard to understand. It is recommendable to listen to the DVD commentary by film scholar Miles Kreuger before actual viewing to have a better understanding of the story. With or without the commentary, this is a film not to be missed.

I love Donald O'Connor and it's so hard to find his movies. So when I found this one I jumped at the chance to get it. I had never seen it before I bought. I went home and watched and quickly fell in love with it. The acting was well done and it's a cute little story line. I had seen There's no Business like Show Business with Ethel Merman and Donald O'Connor so I knew a little bit what it would be like to see them together. I'm not a huge fan of Ethel but like I said I love Donald and this was one of his best! On a scale of 1-10 I would give a 10. It is in my opinion one of the best musicals around. I love the songs in it. I think that my favorite song in the movie though would have to be You're Just in Love. Though I also think that Donald looks a little funny in those glasses. But I also really like What Chance have I with Love. Donald shows in this song that he was one of the best dancers ever around. He's right up there with Gene Kelly.