MovieChat Forums > Call Me Madam Discussion > Under-seen masterpiece

Under-seen masterpiece

posted 20 years ago by szekeong123
9 replies | jump to latest

This movie is widely praised. Unfortunately, this movie is not yet a classic as it was not available on video and DVD. Now coming to DVD, I hope this movie will gain recognition eventually.

[–] uf0xfiles 20 years ago

Yes, I can not WAIT until this classic comes out! It will be wonderful on DVD. Hopefully more classics come out like this one.

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[–] HarlowMGM 17 years ago

I checked out the DVD at the library this week (an impulse pickup, I wanted to get the maximum five dvd checkouts and this was my fifth choice) and saw the movie for the first time. It is excellent and I think all four stars are at their best.

[–] sam883102000 17 years ago

I agree this is perhaps the ultimate filmization of a Broadway musical ( CHICAGO aside) in that we get to see what Ethel Merman was all about. At the fade out of YOU'RE JUST IN LOVE I felt elated! Just as Broadway audiences must have felt at witnessing this immence talent at work! A classic example of a performer being "Too Big" for the screen. But the Big suprise is George Saunders! Singing, and quite well! also having a marvelous time. When George was enjoying himself in a role (Rebecca, Samson & Delilah, etc.) he really shone on screen! Here he is obviously having so much fun that he fairly sparkles, and it is an added delight. Gene Kelly rightly dubbed Donald O'Conner the best Singer/Dancer working in film in the 1950's...high praise indeed considering the source! And lovely Vera Ellen is always a delight to watch both in comedy and dance. their dance duet in the secret lower chamber of the castle in this film is a marvel of choreography and combined talents. Wish more people could see and enjoy this great musical sendup of washington politics. I adore it!

[–] Harold_Robbins 16 years ago

I love the bit on the commentary about people apparently not noticing that Vera-Ellen's singing voice was different from film to film!

"I don't use a pen: I write with a goose quill dipped in venom!"---W. Lydecker

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] szekeong123 16 years ago

Ok, maybe masterpiece is an overstatement, but it is undeniably a musical gem. :)

[–] ptb-8 16 years ago

I've just seen it for the first time ever, and on DVD... what a hilarious film! lavish and funny and so good natured. An absolute delight.

[–] heyteegs 14 years ago

Intoxicating!

http://3linesabout.blogspot.com/2010/03/call-me-madam-1953.html

[–] mcornett 7 years ago

Definitely an undervalued classic. It's got great singing and dancing, snappy dialog, good acting, solid direction, and it's also a fun satire of American foreign policy at the time...and some of that satire still applies. Heck, the idea of a Washington hostess becoming an ambassador was based on real Washington hostess Perle Mesta being ambassador to Luxembourg from 1949-1953, but it's still relevant as we had another Washington hostess, Pamela Harriman, becoming ambassador to France in the 90s.

It's the whole package....singing, dancing, acting, romance, political satire...it's worth seeing over and over.

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