Cheap Bells Are Ringing (Video) (Judy Holliday, Dean Martin) (Vincente Minnelli) Price
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| ACTORS: | Judy Holliday, Dean Martin |
| CATEGORY: | Video |
| DIRECTOR: | Vincente Minnelli |
| THEATRICAL RELEASE DATE: | 23 June, 1960 |
| MANUFACTURER: | Warner Studios |
| MPAA RATING: | NR (Not Rated) |
| FEATURES: | Color, Closed-captioned, NTSC |
| TYPE: | Musical |
| MEDIA: | VHS Tape |
| # OF MEDIA: | 1 |
| UPC: | 012569558939 |
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Customer Reviews of Bells Are Ringing
You'll Love This Musical Judy Holliday steals the show. In her role as Ella Peterson, a vunerable employee of "Suesanswerphone", (a telephone answering service in the days before answering machines) she reaches out to help three of her many subscribers with hilarious results. The triad include a dentist that wishes he were a composer, a beatnik actor that no one will hire, and a down-on-his-luck playright. All three of these characters have something in common, as the movie reveals. The music by Jule Styne is memorable and includes the hits "The Party's Over" and "Just In Time". Although not noted for her singing, Judy's renditions perfectly suit her wonderful acting. Her songs range from funny to dramatic, and are lovingly done. I can't think of anyone I would have rather had in her role. Dean Martin, as Jeff Moss, is a fine counterpart to Judy. I would love to see this musical released on DVD...is anybody listening??? Highly Recommended.
Plaza 0-4433
Judy Holliday originated the role of Ella Petersen, the Susanwersphone switchboard operator, in Vincente Minnelli's adaptation of the Broadway musical, with music by Jules Styne and book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Although filmed in 1960, this musical belongs to the conventions of the 1950's with a brassy orchestration, superfluous supporting cast for comic relief, and a Brando impersonator. That Holliday remains as the best thing about it, in spite of Minnelli's less flattering treatment of her than George Cukor, is a tribute to her gifts as an actress, in particular a Broadway performer with the subtlety to adapt for film acting. Holliday's two solo numbers - It's a Perfect Relationship and I'm Going Back - are triumphs of personal charm, in spite of the director. Minnelli has trouble de-staging the switchboard environment and the film only comes to life after Holliday leaves it to meet Dean Martin, as her favourite client, in person. In the Better than a Dream number, where both Holliday and Martin sing oblivious to the other's reality, this is Minnelli finally presenting a musical sequence cinematically. This pattern continues with Martin's funny I Met a Girl, sung as he battles street crowds. Minnelli treats Holliday's plaintive ballad The Party's Over simply, if disappointedly in long and medium shot presumably since he thinks Holliday's voice doesn't deserve a closeup, in contrast to the botched Just in Time, the score's most lovely song, wretchedly staged. The Drop That Name number is probably more about Minnelli than Holliday, since he scores points off her, comparing her perceived frumpiness to the vacuous stereotypical 1950's society vamp. Holliday and Martin play off each other well, overcoming the oddness of their union. Martin actually looks not at his best, which undermines the romantic appeal, and his solo reveals he shouldn't be given one. It's hard not to consider his character's fear of success without his partner and not have thoughts of Jerry Lewis, though believing Martin as a playwright is trouble enough. Thankfully there's Holliday. Far more likeable and individual than say a Doris Day, Minnelli's having her lower her head for pathos is the lowest appreciation of her potential. This wasn't considered a great musical to begin with, and the film is pretty hard to take whenever the supporting players take over, with excruciating bits featuring Eddie Foy and The Titanic record company, vice squad surveillance, and the mafia, however the songwriting dentist gave me a few chuckles.
Judy Holliday's last movie
Director: Vincente Minnelli
Format: Color
Studio: Turner Home Video
Video Release Date: January 30, 1991
Cast:
Judy Holliday ... Ella Peterson ('Melisande Scott')
Dean Martin ... Jeffrey Moss
Fred Clark ... Larry Hastings
Eddie Foy Jr. ... J. Otto Prantz
Jean Stapleton ... Sue
Ruth Storey ... Gwynne
Dort Clark ... Insp. Barnes
Frank Gorshin ... Blake Barton
Ralph Roberts ... Francis
Valerie Allen ... Olga
Bernard West ... Dr. Joe Kitchell, DDS
Steven Peck ... Delivery Boy
Gerry Mulligan ... Ella's blind date
Paul Frees ... Several voices in 'Drop That Name'
Joe Gray ... Bartender
John Hart
Stuart Holmes ... Man in park
Roy Jenson ... Cop
Gil Lamb ... Man at party
Hal Linden ... Singer of 'The Midas Touch'
Titus Moede ... Beatnik
Milton Parsons ... Pedestrian next to Barney Lampwick
Frank Richards ... Pedestrian greeting Barney
Steve Stevens
Oliver Blake ... Ludwig Smiley
Herb Vigran ... Barney Lampwick
Nesdon Booth
Nancy Walters ... Bit part
Ella Peterson (Judy Holliday) works for Susansweringservice as a telephone operator, and is attracted by a client's voice: Jeffrey Moss (Dean Martin). She is sure she will never meet him, and masquerades as a 63-year-old whom he calls "Mom". He is a playwright who is in a slump, and she pumps up his confidence. She also knows other people--a dentis/songwriter, and actor, and others who are helpful to Moss's career.
A vice cop who is hung up on answering services, Insp. Barnes (Dort Clark) in the meantime threatens the answering service with detention if he catches them having outside contact with their clients.
This is a fun musical, which I enjoyed. It was Judy Holidays last. She was concerned about her singing, dancing, and her health when she made it. Her singing and dancing were fine, but she was right to be concerned about her health. She died soon after, at the age of 43. She made a total of 13 movies.
Joseph (Joe) Pierre
author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books