Call Me Madam (1953)

Such a frustrating disappointment

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

hyped garbage

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Ethel Merman's overly-jovial, happily impersonal, maniacally spirited stage persona didn't always translate well to the silver screen (she was accused of projecting too big, as was Carol Channing). She certainly had some worthwhile movie opportunities however, this bright musical from Fox--modeled on the career of Perle Mesta--being one of them. Merman plays a Washington, D.C. hostess who is appointed U.S. Ambassador to Lichtenberg by her good friend Harry Truman, whom she telephones once in a while to check up on. Farcical, frantic and thoroughly insincere, the picture is still a marvel to behold as seen in unreal Technicolor (looking like 20 different flavors of Jell-O). Finger-snapping Merman is a hoot in her duet with lackey Donald O'Connor ("Your heart goes pitter-patter/I know just what's the matter..."), although Ethel never really adjoins herself to anybody else: she's intent on towing this ship fully on her own steam. It's a snug, entertaining concoction, though one which is apt to amusingly perplex and frazzle those unfamiliar with Merman's impertinent charm and gimme-some-elbow-room gusto. **1/2 from ****

Let's talk about Broadway entertainment at its best. Let's talk about Ethel Merman. Let's talk about Irving Berlin. It's all one and the same. And pretty much all of it is here in this exceptional film version of Berlin's Broadway play "Call Me Madam" (the original play's book was written by Russell Crouse and Howard Lindsay). This is the best performance I've seen so far from Merman on film. It's not a groundbreaking film and it wasn't really a groundbreaking play either, but it is very true to the spirit and tone of the original play (whose original cast record I have listened to hundreds of times) and therefore provides the modern viewer with a window into the last days of the late lamented glory days of American musical comedy.The play's plot is thin and might seem outdated today because it refers to post-WWII Europe and U.S. loans for rebuilding war-torn countries. In that respect it's always reminded me of the Jack Arnold/Peter Sellars film "The Mouse that Roared". It focuses on the small fictional country of "Lichtenberg" and the chaos that ensues when socialite party-giver Sally Adams (Merman) is sent by Harry Truman (who she often engages in long-distance small-talk with) as an ambassador to that country. She falls hard for what seems to be the only man in the country who doesn't want a U.S. loan for millions of dollars, Cosmo Constantine (George Sanders). Her oily career-diplomat assistant with the hilariously improbable name of Pemberton Maxwell (Billy De Wolfe) however convinces her that Constantine has ulterior motives, so complications ensue. Adams' press attaché Kenneth (Donald O'Connor) is introduced in a very amusing way as he tries to secure a press position with Merman and fails, but then comes to her rescue while she's cornered by reporters and so she announces she's taking him to Lichtenberg. There he too finds romance, in the person of a lovely and talented princess (Vera-Ellen).All of the characters are appealing and the romantic chemistry is fine, particularly between Merman and Sanders. When Sanders begins singing in a duet with Merman, I was totally astounded. Just one of the many pleasant surprises this film has to offer. O'Connor comes as close as humanly possible to stealing the show from La Merm. His solo number "What Chance Have I With Love?" is almost the equal to his famous turn in "Singin' in the Rain", and he's given much more opportunity to build his character in this film. What could have been a dull "juvenile lead" role is spiced up considerably by the humorous introduction mentioned above (an innovation missing from the play) and by his almost cocky self-assurance, made all the more humorous when love brings him down low. Vera-Ellen doesn't have much screen presence but she does provide some great dance moves, and I thought her scene with O'Connor in the wine cellars was quite romantic.As many other posters have noted, it's not Irving Berlin's best score. But other than "Annie Get Your Gun" it's definitely the highest quality show he ever wrote in the "integrated" style (songs designed to further the characters and/or story), far surpassing the later "Mr. President" (which starred Robert Ryan and Nannette Fabray but was never filmed to my knowledge). Most of the highly hummable Irving Berlin movies of the 30s and 40s (like "Blue Skies" and "Easter Parade") were compilations of his hit songs from previous Broadway shows going back to the teens. Other than 2 songs (one of which, "International Rag" sung by Merman, goes back to 1913) interpolated into "Madam", the entire score is straight from the Broadway show that it was written for. Considering the fact that much of the score is preserved and this version stars Merman from the original show, "Madam" is a better film in many ways than the more famous "Annie Get Your Gun" done by MGM with Betty Hutton.Fox did a very good job on this film. It should be treasured by classic Broadway fans and it gives those unfamiliar with musical history a chance to discover one of its greatest gems, the incomparable Merman. We could pine away all afternoon that this show was done instead of "Annie" or "Gypsy", but instead we should count our blessings (we got the sun in the morning and the moon at night and we're all right, folks). The show might be dated politically but it's one of those classic musicals that knew not to take itself too seriously while at the same time respecting the taste and intelligence of its audience.

I had no idea who anyone was in this film, but I was giving it a chance purely because of the critics opinions, and the fact that I like musicals. But it turned out I do know one person, the main star, Golden Globe winning Ethel Merman, who sings the great "There's No Business Like Show Business". She is a terrific actress that dominates the film with her foghorn voice, whirlwind energy and larger-than-life personality. Basically she is a Washington hostess that becomes a Truman-era US ambassador to a European grand duchy. Along the way, there is an element of a love story with Sally having feelings for Prince Hugo (Helmut Dantine). This is memorable not just for Merman, but some great songs and dance routines. Also starring Donald O'Connor as Kenneth, Vera-Ellen as Princess Maria, George Sanders as Cosmo Constantine, Billy De Wolfe as Pemberton Maxwell, Walter Slezak as August Tantinnin, Steven Geray as Sebastian, Ludwig Stössel as Grand Duke and Lilia Skala as Grand Duchess, from director Walter Lang (The King and I). It won the Oscar for Best Music, and it was nominated for Best Costume, and it was nominated the Cannes Film Festival Award for Grand Prize of the Festival for Walter Lang. Very good!

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.