MovieChat Forums > Bells Are Ringing Discussion > Imagine Doris Day as Ella

Imagine Doris Day as Ella

posted 10 years ago by ajm64
4 replies | jump to latest

Judy Holliday fans might be appalled at the thought, but just think how much different this film would have been with Doris in the lead. Doris' version of The Party's Over is exquisite. Doris' Ella would have been more subtle. Imagine the chemistry between Doris & Dino, a couple of Ohio hotties that made it big.

[–] Rob_Dan 10 years ago

I agree completely! I also think it would have been a great vehicle to introduce Carol Burnett.

[–] MyMovieTVRomance 9 years ago

I also think it would have been a great vehicle to introduce Carol Burnett.

Are you imagining Carol Burnett in the Jean Stapleton? Because that's what I see her in, not the lead. Though I do agree with the original poster regarding Doris Day – Doris Day's version of the lead character would've been much more subtle, and I think I would've preferred it. But then again, I am a huge story states that!

On second thought, some of the songs were completely crass in the way they were meant to be sung (based on Judy Holliday's rendition of them), and I like Doris because she's the opposite of that. So, if the point of the character was to be silly and crass once in a while, I wouldn't want to see Doris like that. So in that sense, the movie may not of been good for her.

Please excuse typos/funny wording; I use speech-recognition that doesn't always recognize!

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] dmnemaine 8 years ago

Ella Peterson is not a subtle character. She is vivacious, outgoing, brash, outspoken, and brutally honest in her opinions and advice to others. Doris Day was a fine singer and actress, but a little too soft for the character of Ella Peterson. Nobody would have been better than Judy Holliday. The role was specifically written for her.