A criminal businessman (Broderick Crawford) tries to get his "dumb blonde" fiance (Judy Holliday) to wise up via the tutelage of a newspaperman (William Holden), but doesn't bargain for the results. Now this, my friends, is a great movie -- a stunningly unique protagonist in a stunningly unique plot made possible by a wonderfully thoughtful theme. It's comedy with depth, humor that doesn't force itself, but grows naturally out of who these characters are. Judy Holliday's role as the fiance is spot-on perfection -- the voice, the mannerism, the look. The conflict is one-of-a-kind, and the symbolism and allusions send this production soaring over the themeless mill of other romantic comedies. In it, we find the triumph of wisdom and values over tyranny. It's, as Holden's character says, "a revolution"!
I didn't think I'd end up loving this as much as I did. The script is sooo good and everyone plays off each other so well. A lot of memorable lines and scenes. Loved it.
In Born Yesterday, a blowhard industrialist wants to buy himself some congressmen to get a crooked business deal through, but his girlfriend is embarrassing him with the Washington elite so he gets her a tutor to teach her about culture and current affairs. It backfires in a Frank Capra or Aaron Sorkin kind of way, and wins you over in the process. Of course, much of the film's success should be attributed to Judy Holliday whose Billie is initially willfully (or neglectfully) ignorant, but soon becomes interested in what's happening as knowledge breeds ethics. Politically, this is about creating an informed electorate, and how education walks hand in hand with both passion and morality. Billie is very dumb indeed at the start of the story, comically so, and thus goes along with the corruption around her. She can't care because she doesn't grasp any of the implications. There's certainly a lesson for our times in that, filtered through a witty romcom at the center of which Holliday creates an affecting and memorable heroine.
Actually I don't like romantic comedy, but this one is much better than the most of these I've seen, probably the best one. Because it is not just a romantic comedy, this movie is more than that. It is really fresh (especially because it's 1950) and funny, much I've expected. Very good film.
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inhonoredglory
A criminal businessman (Broderick Crawford) tries to get his "dumb blonde" fiance (Judy Holliday) to wise up via the tutelage of a newspaperman (William Holden), but doesn't bargain for the results. Now this, my friends, is a great movie -- a stunningly unique protagonist in a stunningly unique plot made possible by a wonderfully thoughtful theme. It's comedy with depth, humor that doesn't force itself, but grows naturally out of who these characters are. Judy Holliday's role as the fiance is spot-on perfection -- the voice, the mannerism, the look. The conflict is one-of-a-kind, and the symbolism and allusions send this production soaring over the themeless mill of other romantic comedies. In it, we find the triumph of wisdom and values over tyranny. It's, as Holden's character says, "a revolution"!TheGallopingGhost
Funnier than I was expecting. For some reason, the scene early on when they play gin sticks out as being really memorable.Henry K Hurtin
Loved Judy Holliday's performance!!PrinceJax
I didn't think I'd end up loving this as much as I did. The script is sooo good and everyone plays off each other so well. A lot of memorable lines and scenes. Loved it.Lord X
Judy Holliday is adorable.Camille Deadpan
One of my favourite movies!Matt Addis
Fun fact: judy holliday was one of the inspirations for the batman character harley quinnSiskoid
In Born Yesterday, a blowhard industrialist wants to buy himself some congressmen to get a crooked business deal through, but his girlfriend is embarrassing him with the Washington elite so he gets her a tutor to teach her about culture and current affairs. It backfires in a Frank Capra or Aaron Sorkin kind of way, and wins you over in the process. Of course, much of the film's success should be attributed to Judy Holliday whose Billie is initially willfully (or neglectfully) ignorant, but soon becomes interested in what's happening as knowledge breeds ethics. Politically, this is about creating an informed electorate, and how education walks hand in hand with both passion and morality. Billie is very dumb indeed at the start of the story, comically so, and thus goes along with the corruption around her. She can't care because she doesn't grasp any of the implications. There's certainly a lesson for our times in that, filtered through a witty romcom at the center of which Holliday creates an affecting and memorable heroine.andype
Actually I don't like romantic comedy, but this one is much better than the most of these I've seen, probably the best one. Because it is not just a romantic comedy, this movie is more than that. It is really fresh (especially because it's 1950) and funny, much I've expected. Very good film.Captain Qynce
Brilliant. Probably one of the funniest movies I've ever seen, as well.Good movie, a+