Born Yesterday Reviews

• Eliza Doolittle Meets Betty Boop.

  
  By A2HIWDD2TDXS19 on 2002-06-01
  From the moment she enters the picture and screeches "Whaaaaattttt??", in a voice that could peel wallpaper, you can't take your eyes off Judy Hollidays "Billie Dawn." In this movie adaptation of the Garson Kanin play, directed by famed "womans director" George Cukor, she takes a wonderfully written character and turns her into a classic movie performance that no one else could have played. Her crass, monosyllabic Billie is SO dumb, that, when her corrupt bully boyfriend, played by Broderick Crawford, first proposes to the owlish journalist, played by William Holden, that he refine Billies rough edges so she can be presented into the Washington society that he hopes to manipulate, well...you wonder how he can EVER mold this dim-witted clay. Along the way, she, for the first time, begins to actually THINK, and her development of a conscience and awareness of her self worth is as moving as it is comical. The backdrop of corrupt politicians who can be bought for a price (some things never change), provides the moral (immoral) climate in which Billie has unquestioningly (til now) existed. Seeing her grow into someone with character is touching to behold. In the scene towards the end, in the Rotunda, where she finally realizes the changes within her, and the potential for the "good" in life, it always brings a tear to the eye. As everyone knows, Judy Holliday beat out the toughest competition ever, Bette Davis for "All; About Eve", and Gloria Swanson for "Sunset Boulevard", to win the best actress Oscar for 1950. A good friend of mine, who knew Judy Holliday, and is presently writing a play about her life, corroborates what many already know, that she was an intensely serious and intelligent woman. Tragically, she died much too young. But her film roles will always ensure her reputation as a brilliant actress, with her portrayal of "Billie Dawn" being the role for which she'll most be remembered. There will never be another Judy Holliday, nor another Billie Dawn. (Don't even MENTION the Melanie Griffith remake!) Thanks for all the joy, dear lady.
  
  

• Razor Sharp and Lots of Fun

  
  By ACIBQ6BQ6AWEV on 2001-12-12
  Judy Holiday won an Oscar for this film, and no wonder: her performance of Billie Dawn, a "dumb broad" who suddenly wises up in a most unexpected way, is certainly one of the finest and most original film performances in 20th Century American cinema. The story, from the stage success, concerns a crass junk yard tycoon (Broderick Crawford) who goes to Washington to buy a Senator--and promptly considers that his blonde-bimbo mistress Billie Dawn (Holiday) lacks enough poise for such refined circles. He accordingly entices a reporter (William Holden) to "smarten her up." But things soon get out of hand: once her mind is awakened, Billie Dawn begins to perceive her lover and his political intrigues in a very different light.

  The comedy is genuine, and Crawford and Holden are as memorable as Holiday herself. But there is some serious stuff behind the hilarity: issues of personal integrity, honesty, and civic duty become increasingly important as Billie evolves, and ultimately she must make a choice between her old life and a new one. The film very neatly balances its comic elements with its serious side, and neither predominate nor throw the film off center; director Cukor steers a perfect course. A must-see and a must-own.
  
  

• lukewarm twist on Pygmalion--three and one-half stars

  
  By A2R6RA8FRBS608 on 2007-10-10
  Judy Holliday, William Holden and Broderick Crawford star in this early 1950s comedy based on the stage play of the same name. Judy Holliday shines like gold; Cukor always could bring out the best in his leading women. William Holden and Broderick Crawford also give solid performances.
  
  The action begins when a rather boorish, rough and tough guy named Harry Brock (Broderick Crawford) comes into Washington, D.C. with his entourage to get some legislation passed to help his multimillion dollar business. With Brock come his ostensibly dumb blonde girlfriend Emma "Billie" Dawn (Judy Holliday) and his assistant. Before long it's obvious that Brock's girlfriend Billie needs some social refinement lessons; therefore Brock hires savvy reporter Paul Verrall (William Holden) to "teach her the ropes." That way Brock can impress the congressman he wants to create legislation to help his business.
  
  Unfortunately for Brock, however, the social refinement lessons Paul gives to Billie eventually result in Billie's becoming more and more sophisticated and educated than Harry himself! Harry begins to feel small as Billie starts to outshine him; she's not a "dumb blonde" after all.
  
  Of course, the plot can go in many directions from here. Will Harry make Billie stop taking refinement lessons from Paul? Will Billie like becoming more refined? Will Harry's investment pay off--will Billie's new found social graces and knowledge make it easier for Brock to influence a congressman? Watch the movie and find out!
  
  The cinematography is great in the scenes filmed around Washington, D.C.; and the choreography works well in scenes near the end when people must confront each other at the end of the movie.
  
  Unfortunately, although there are funny moments in this film, there are some rather dated and sappy lines to contend with. "Knowledge is power" somehow seems outdated; and listen for some high and mighty "stuff" about how you just can't buy the people we elect to Congress. OUCH! On the other hand, I agree with people who note that the scene in which Billie and Harry play cards is very, very well done and humorous as well.
  
  The DVD extras offer us a few trailers and some vintage advertising.
  
  Overall, Born Yesterday is a dated but somewhat funny movie that you can enjoy if you like this type of film. The actors just aren't given enough by a script I think is strictly average. The acting outshines the script by far.
  
  Three and one-half stars.
  
  
  

• "Would you do me a favor, Harry? Drop dead."

  
  By A2CW9IQAPFEYLM on 2006-03-12
  Judy Holliday took the best actress Oscar for her quintessential dumb blonde performance as Billie Dawn, the "kept" woman of tough talking, big shot, junkyard owning crook Broderick Crawford. In an ironic twist, William Holden is hired to give HER some education (a la Pygmalion), and Holliday wises up enough to leave Crawford for Holden. Before being filmed this was a play on Broadway, and it ran for 1,600+ performances, giving Holliday a chance to really hone her part. Some of the movie, especially the flag-waving civics lessons that come during Billie's education, feel very stagey, but Holliday is wonderful in her empty-headed way - her lines are good, but her flawless timing when delivering them make them sound great. In fact, without her the picture wouldn't be half as good. It's a classy little comedy "to all the dumb chumps and all the crazy broads - past, present, and future - who thirst for knowledge and search for truth, who fight for justice and civilize each other . . . ." Worth a watch.
  
  

• "Well, if you don't know, I must be doing it wrong"

  
  By A2EEUQ81DTY7G3 on 2005-08-19
  Judy Holliday provided one of the biggest upsets in Oscar history, walking away with the Best Actress statuette for Born Yesterday and beating her formidable rivals, Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, and Gloria Swanson. Whether she deserved to win or not is kind of mute, but one thing is for sure, her performance as the chorus-girl-turned-trophy ditzy girlfriend Billie Dawn, remains one of the all time great pieces of cinematic acting.
  
  Even though Billie, rolls her eyes at the slightest whim, and speaks in a kind of airy, grating shrill, behind lies a formidable intelligence and a concealed wisdom. Even though her fiancé Harry Brock (Broderick Crawford) may think she's dumb and stupid, and disregarded her as a meaningless blonde, Billie is anything but dumb. Billie may be put upon, uneducated and inarticulate, but she's in obsolete control of every situation in which she finds herself.
  
  Born Yesterday is a simple little tale, with most viewers recognizing it as a modern twist on "Pygmalion." A rough-talking, uncouth millionaire tycoon, Brock (Crawford) arrives in Washington DC on a business trip. But Brock isn't your average rich man; he's come to the Capital to do some shady backroom deals and bribes with a certain bent congressman.
  
  When he becomes embarrassed by the perceived mental ineptitude of Billie, Brock hires newspaper reporter Paul Verrall (William Holden), to spend time with Billie in the hope of educating and refining her. But things don't quite work out as planned. Billie turns out to have a formidable intellect and she takes to the worlds of books, music, and history like a duck takes to water.
  
  She also develops an attraction to the gentlemanly Paul, whom she sees as twice the man that Brock is. Soon the stage is set for a melodramatic love triangle, with the audience coarsely manipulated to root for Billie. Will she end up choosing the shy, stouthearted Paul or will she remain with the abusive, loudmouthed Harry?
  
  Born Yesterday mostly works because f the magnetism of the actors. Holden and Holliday pull off the task with old-fashioned Hollywood magic, slyly allowing their intense attraction to simmer without bubbling over. And when they first kiss, it's a genuine surprise.
  
  Most of the film's comedic moments are between Paul and Billie. They constantly bicker back and forth engaging in a kind of power play, and disagreeing over who is "more couth." Because Billie is naturally smarter, so when they play cards, Billie always wins, even though Harry cheats to sate his own ego. Every now and then, Harry's darker edge emerges letting Billie know he's in control. It isn't until later in the movie that Billie begins to get the upper hand.
  
  Born Yesterday is a classic film with real flair, excellent performances, and great comedy. But it is Holiday's pitch perfect performance that really sets this film apart from other films of similar style and genre. Mike Leonard August 05.
  
  
  
• Great Judy Holliday Performance
  By A1L3JKXFHGJ9TS on 2002-12-02
  This was a real surprise to me!...although George Cukor is one the best directors of all time and I'm very fond of most of his pictures, Judy Holliday was never one of my favourites, especially because I hadn't seen much of her films, which aren't many.

  Here, she simply stoles the show as the dumb, vulgar, low-brow, blonde, ex-chorus girl (Billie, née "Emma") and lover of an unscrupulous and corrupt "junk" millionaire, played with great skill by Broderick Crawford, one year after his flawless Academy Award Winner performance in the excellent "All the King's Men", who learns "how to think and to use her brains" with the aid of writer Paul Verrell (William Holden).

  Holliday won an Academy Award for this performance, in one of the most polemical winnings of the A.A. History, because she defeated both Bette Davis (for "All About Eve") and Gloria Swanson (for "Sunset Boulevard"), and many people felt she shouldn't have won. Anyway, there's no denying that she gave and expert and very funny interpretation of the sassy Billie, with all the mannerisms, voice inflections, hollering,etc, especially in her scenes with Crawford.

  You must watch this wonderful classic comedy.
  
  

• A Masterpiece! Funny and Humane!
  By A3BLK88R8PV1SE on 2000-03-30
  This is a fine movie, marvelously crafted, well written, superbly acted, and luciously photographed. The DVD medium shows off the wonderful black and white cinematography more than any of its predecessors.

  Shining over all else in this film is the tour de force of Billie Holliday playing a "dumb blonde" who -- surprise -- is anything but dumb. William Holden and Broderick Crawford are perfect foils for her brilliance, good guy and bad guy. The most wonderful aspect of this movie is the demonstration of Billie Holliday's character coming into its own, developing poise, awareness, and intellect. Her sensitivity and mastery as an actress are nowhere more visible than in this film.

  The plot is diverting--a rough and greedy hoodlum seeking to dominate everyone else, hoodwinked by his own pretensions of grandeur, surrounded by a wond'rous variety of people.
  
  

• Judy Holliday is a Scream as the Quintessential Dumb Blonde!
  By A1BJOEQSRX2IBM on 2000-07-04
  A sparkling 50's comedy by Cukor. Filled with memorable performances mainly Judy Holliday and Broderick Crawford, William Holden does whatever he can with his limited character. Judy Holliday gives a priceless performance as the prototypical dumb blonde who turns out not to be that dumb. Broderick Crawford gives a powerful performance, but sometimes he goes a bit too far and we get scared instead of laughing. But Holliday's performance is the one that keeps the movie at a steady pace, nobody can deliver such funny lines in such opportune moments as she can. Filled with many memorable one-liners and the gin-sequence is a keeper. A very funny film that still sparkles after all these years. From a scale of 1-10 I give this film an 8!
  
  
• Okay
  By A3BU6QT97HMF on 2003-10-29
  This movie I thought had except for a few cute lines (all said by Holliday, who shone anyway) everything but a script. I read a few of the other "reviews" and disagreed with almost everything about them except their praise for Judy Holliday and the one comment that Crawford came across menacing rather than humorous. Come to think of it, he WAS menacing, remember when he hit her? There was very little humor of any kind in this flick (what there was, aside from two or three genuine witticisms, came from Holliday's supposed dumbness), it was very serious and far from light. I disliked the adaptation from stage to screen, particularly and emphatically the ridiculous ending in the car when Holden gives the cop his marriage license. Good grief! I do not like Garson Kanin anyway, on Bway or off, I think he's very dull and unfunny, and think he writes better when working with his strident wife Ruth Gordon (like on another Holliday flick, much warmer and gentler and more human and more humane than this one, "The Marrying Kind," finally out this month on DVD). I was surprised to read Holliday's competition for the Oscar, she was definitely good, but THAT good? All three of them should have gotten an Oscar. Judy Holliday is one of my all-time heroes (heroines), and I found this picture a big disappointment, lit up only when she was on-screen. By the way, I may live to eat my words if this "review" is posted, but speaking of dumbness, didn't ANY of these other "reviewers" proof their "reviews" before submitting them? Talk about illiterate, ungrammatical and DUMB!
  
  
• Let George Do It
  By A14LAXM03WBX6E on 2005-05-25
  1950 was a banner year for movies, with such outstanding films as "All About Eve", "Sunset Boulevard", "The Asphalt Jungle" and others. What sets these movies apart from the travesties that are churned out these days is the quality of the screenplays. Unfortunately, all that was soon to change. The spectre of the House of Un-American Activities was just about to descend like a pall on the movie industry and within a few years many of the most talented and creative scenarists were blacklisted for their poltical points of view'
  But in 1950 it was still possible to make a BORN YESTERDAY with its hilarious caricature of the corrupting influence of wealth and power.
  George Cukor was the master of stage adaptations that relied on such high brow elements as fine writing and committed acting performances rather than gimmicks and flashy sets to get the point across. As early as 1933, Cukor had displayed his mettle with the classic comedy "Dinner at Eight". It was an injustice that Cukor was not given the recognition of his genius until 1964 for his "My Fair Lady" (not his most typical work), but then Cukor's lifestyle was not exactly "mainstream" for his times and it is easy to imagine a Joe McCarthy poring over his file with a furrowed brow.
  Anyhow, Cukor's talent was recognized in the many actors and actresses who won Oscars under his direction. And Judy Holliday's is simply the best. In her first scene she says nothing, but her looks and bearing hint at sophistication. So it's quite a shock when she opens her mouth in the following scene and with one word demolishes our preconceptions.
  Judy is at her best when she says nothing, such as in the famous card scene, or even better, when she commiserates with a beleagured Congressman and throws a wistful glance in the direction of her new found ally, the English Dictionary, when the Congressman inquires if she is one of his constituents.
  I purchased this DVD back in February but only got the opportunity to view it last week. Much to my chagrin, the last ten minutes were digitaly distorted to the point where the climatic final scene was indecipherable. I tried it on another DVD player with the same unhappy result. Amazon only honours refunds and exchanges for 30 days after date of purchase, so it looks like I am stuck with a flawed masterpiece, like the armless Venus de Milo!
  Also, Amazon advertises this release as a "Widescreen" production. I had been labouring under the impression that 1953's "The Robe" was the first feature length foray into Cinemascope widescreen. Perhaps they refer to the utterly forgetable remake of this timeless classic.
  
  
• What Learning Will Do to You
  By A37S3ACL57LN62 on 2007-04-02
  Born Yesterday begins with a narcissistic junk dealer Harry Brock (Broderick Crawford) who is planning a major merger with his company to make loads of money. He uses his dizzy girlfriend Billie (Judy Holliday) as a middleman, though he really controls everything she "owns." She is just content to accept his lavish gifts and be pretty. That is until Paul(William Holden) comes along. He is hired by Harry to educate Billie; she embarasses him in front of sophisticated company. In the process, she learns just how corrupt her fiancee is and why her father has disowned her. She also develops eyes for her teacher.
  
  Holliday won the Oscar for her performance in this film against such professionals as Bette Davis and Gloria Swanson. Indeed, her performance is wonderful. One can watch her character transform before one's eyes from a gold digging chorus girl to an intelligent woman. Her relationship with Holden is believable and powerful. In fact, all of the roles are well developed. The dialogue is conversational but intelligent, making this a very worthwhile film.
  
  
• Another classic to love
  By AM2YG43EVB606 on 2007-04-02
  I remember seeing this film when I was 12 or so with my Mom. It left an impression and I knew I would have to add this to my classic movie collection. How I enjoyed watching Judy Holliday's performance, she was unique with a wonderful sense of comedic timing. Anyone who collects classic comedies should add this to the list.
  
  
• Born Again.
  By A1DTCJV6KOMJOA on 2001-06-13
  Born Yesterday has to be the only film that has an amazing cast, great dialogue and a history lesson all built into one. The film is centered around Judy Holiday (who won an Oscar for this role beating out Bette Davis and Gloria Swanson for All about eve and Sunset Boulevard)and rightfully so. From the first second you hear her speak your entranced by her. William Holden is also in the film but for the first and only time he seems to have taken a back seat in star wattage to Broderick Crawford his deep voice and impsoing stature is amazing on film. The plot is about a woman who everyone perceives is dumb but learns to respect herself and her intellignece through tutoring sessions with Holden and they eventually fall in love. Cukor frames the story beautifully. Never allowing the camera to seem as a third party to any of the personell scenes between Holden and holliday. The night they go to hear a symphony play is pure magic!! Watch Holliday breeeze through her lines with such class and humor. This has to be one of the funniest films ever made and can not be missed Judy Holliday deserved her Oscar for this film and she would have been amazing in Some Like It Hot!! Now that film would truly be perfect if she was in the role of Suga. But as it stand this film is the best romantic comedy EVER made period and should not be missed by anyone who enjoys laughing so much that their stomach cramps!
  
  
• Holliday Road
  By A51IK68MWKV5R on 2002-06-28
  Judy Holliday won an Oscar for her fantastically nuanced performance as Billie Dawn, the so-called dumb blonde who isn't so dumb after all, just uneducated. When Harry Brock, her fiancee and business partner, chooses to have her educated in local affairs (they live in Washington D.C.) by a reporter who was doing a story on him (William Holden)--so she won't embarrass him in front of the Senators he is planning to buy--things of course, don't go as planned. She becomes too smart to be bossed around anymore.

  Knowing the plot does not ruin the film at all. The fun is watching the actors, especially the chemistry between Holliday and Holden. Broderick Crawford is wonderful, too, as Brock, a guy you have to hate for the story to work. Even the bit players: the lawyer, the senator are letter-perfect in their parts. The script, based on a play by Garson Kanin, is full of one-liners and zingers. It's a little too patriotic in the end for me--sometimes I felt preached at--but that is easily overlooked during what is really a fun film.
  
  

• THE BEST COMEDIENNE
  By ACO20QL72D1E6 on 2004-07-12
  Judy Holliday 1923-1965(Judith Tuvim) was the greatest comedy-actress in films. No question about it. Jean Hagen did a good "Judy-Holliday" in Singin` in the Rain after the real star reportedly turned it down.

  But Judy`s Billie Dawn is flawless. Broderick Crawford and William Holden are also good in their thankless roles as a foil to Judy. Buy watch them! Their`e good! As a production it halts in the second half when it tends to wave the flag and gets preachy... I always thought, but wait a minute: Seeing what happening in the US today, one would like certain politicians to see this film... it might improve their personalaties...(ooooh I`m being naive here now hehehe)... so it`s subject is as potent as ever... The 1993 version? Let there be silence.
  
  

• Flawless!
  By A2EHA8E2OWH7CB on 2006-05-04
  Delightful! Hilarious!
  
  How often do we get to see a perfect performance? We're closing in on a century of movies and, as we can see, it's pretty rare. So flawless was Judy Holliday's portrayal of Billie Dawn that, as a relative unknown, she came from behind to beat out two heavyweights for the Oscar in 1950. I'm sure this was due in no small part to her refining the role for nearly three years on stage.
  
  Everything else fell into place as well. Broderick Crawford was just excellent as Harry Brock. Crawford is able to swing you back and forth between anger and sympathy for his character. Not an easy task! William Holden is perfectly calm and reserved as Paul Verrall. His character forms a wonderful opposite to Billie. And, with direction, George Cukor worked his usual magic.
  
  Most of the themes are timeless. A person lives in ignorant bliss until their eyes are opened. They realize that there is a better life for them and begin their struggle for improvement. They discover that their greatest opponents to advancement are not those above them, but those at their current level.
  
  A few of the elements are dated. Particularly Jim's speech about how hard it is to find a corrupt politician in Washington. Wow. Maybe that was the case in 1950. Now it's impossible to find an honest one.
  
  It all comes back to Judy Holliday. This movie is her vehicle.
  It is one of the most quoteable movies I've ever seen. "Would ya do me a favor, Harry? Drop. Dead." "You're just not couth!" "I should take this pencil and draw a circle around YOU!" "If there's a fire and I call the engines... who am I double-crossin? THE FIRE??"
  
  She was a rare talent who we were only able to see for a very short time. I love all of her movies and this one, Born Yesterday, is my favorite.
  
  Thank you Judy!!!!!!
  
  
  
• Virtues and victories for "dumb blondes" (recommended)
  By A3GTF3Q8KJ265C on 2006-07-24
  When someone says he was not BORN YESTERDAY it usually means he has at least an iota of intelligence. Well, Billie Dawn (Judy Holliday), blonde showpiece of crooked Harry Brock (Broderick Crawford), was BORN YESTERDAY - amplified by a voice reminiscent of Jean Hagan in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN!
  
  While Harry is in Washington to grease palms of corrupt politicians and increase the size of his "junk" empire, he realizes his uncouth heartthrob is a hinderance to his reputation - forget that his own personality is not all that winning. He hires journalist Paul Verrall (William Holden) to give his lady a crash course in "culture." The immediate physical attraction grows stronger as her head becomes filled with actual knowledge.
  
  Billie was fine as long as she signed papers she didn't read, kept her mouth shut, absorbed insults, and sat around looking pretty. With her newfound "culture" she begins to peruse contracts, ask questions, volley insults, and walk out. Paul wanted a big story. And through Billie, he gets one.
  
  As "one of the most successful comedies in Broadway history" BORN YESTERDAY ran 1643 performances with Holliday as the lead in 1200. The equally successful screen adaptation raked in five Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress for Holliday as Billie Dawn.
  
  I enjoyed the humor of an unforgettable Billie - the timing and admittedly irritating tone of her voice made simple statements funny. You may even feel sorry for her lot in life - plush as it may appear. Nevertheless, this is a movie of triumphs. Through all the insults and pure stupidity, there are virtues and victories.
  
  Favorite quote: "You are not one of my constituents by any chance, are you?" (Fidgety Billie begins rocking back and forth while she raises an eyebrow in the direction of a dictionary on a pedestal.) ... "I mean are you one of the people who voted for me."
  
  
• Judy Holliday is GREAT!
  By A3AH6O35PAX9L4 on 2006-08-27
  I LOVE this movie! I have long been a fan of "Born Yesterday" and have had to wait until I happened (usually by accident) to see that it was on TV... now I can watch it whenever I want. Judy Holliday is wonderful in this role. The movie is funny and also a bit intense, although not by today's standards. My 11 year old daughter also liked it! If you like this movie, I also recommend "It Should Happen to You", also starring Judy Holliday. The DVD is excellent quality. It was definately worth the money. ENJOY.
  
  
• You're Not Couth!!
  By A1345VRK5MYG7 on 2001-11-16
  Judy Holliday is the whole show in this story of a crooked junk dealer who hires a tutor to give his chorus girl girlfriend a little culture as he tries to buy his way into Washington. Broderick Crawford is the junk dealer, and he bellows hiw way through the character, a self made millionaire who thinks everyone can be bought. William Holden is good as the tutor/journalist who has nothing but contempt for Crawford, but finds himself falling in love with his pupil. Holliday shines as the pupil, a girl who doesn't like reading or learning, but discovers that she's a lot brighter than she thought, and that there is more to life than the world Crawford has created for her. From her voice to her mannerisms to her perfect timing, it's one of the best comedy performances you will see an actress give. The script has some great dialogue, some preachy speeches, and some funny moments, such as the gin rummy game. It's a smart comedy about a couple of dumb people who both learn important lessons. Watch this film!
  
  
• EXTREMELY ENTERTAINING TALE SET IN OUR NATION'S CAPITAL
  By A1C80B497LCYKA on 2006-04-28
  I really like William Holden in the early 50's: he was fresh, full of energy, upbeat, physical - and when he put on glasses, as he did in Born Yesterday, intellectual and vulnerable. He was the perfect leading man, and very enjoyable to watch in this film. But the real star of Born Yesterday is Judy Holliday, who won an Oscar for her performance. Her character, Billie, goes through the greatest change in our story, and shows off her incredible range.
  
  She starts out as the dumb-blonde squeeze of a big-shot con man, Harry, played wonderfully by Broderick Crawford, who made his millions in the junk business, and has now come to Washington to "buy" a senator in order to help his business. When he drops Billie into her first Washington social engagement, he realizes he's going to have problems with her: she "just ain't couth." So he hires William Holden's character, Paul - a writer and self-styled intellectual - to smooth out her rough edges. Paul is immediately attracted to Billie and agrees to take her under his wing. What results is a crash course in US History, Government, Civics, etc., with Washington as the classroom. A by-product is that Paul and Billie fall in love.
  
  Now Billie really becomes a problem, as she starts questioning all of Harry's decisions, especially his attempt at controlling a United States senator. Billie must decide whether doing the right thing, as Paul advises, is worth losing her life of leisure, and even losing her life, since Harry is now threatening her. In spite of the gangster undertones, it's full of laughs, attractive costumes and sets, and a priceless view of Washington in 1950. But more than that, it's a real education on the power of an individual to do the right thing, and how it basically takes the same thing to maintain freedom in an individual life as it does in a democracy. Directed by George Cukor, Born Yesterday is a delight to watch, especially Judy Holliday - and Holden ain't no slouch either.
  
  Waitsel Smith
  
  
• Great Performance
  By A3CIYAHOSN4F0Z on 2006-12-04
  I'm not a big Judy Holliday fan. She seems to have played the ditzy but smart squeaky-voice role over and over. This said, Born Yesterday is easily her best movie. The script is smart and sweet and she and William Holden have a natural, believable screen chemistry. The performances are excellent as is the Pygmalion like transformation of Holliday's character from mouse to lionness. A great comedy of manners and morality.
  
  
• When a not-so-dumb-blonde gets even smarter.....
  By AKMEY1BSHSDG7 on 2008-02-15
  A tycoon who made his money in the junk metal business arrives in Washington with the intention of some political and financial double-dealing, he'll need a classy broad on his arm to make him look good. The problem is, his favored bit of eye-candy is a chorus girl with a funny voice. So, he hires a journalist to give the broad some smarts. The problem is, she learns -- more than they ever expected -- keeping the tycoon and the journalist on their toes!
  
  Judy Holliday is an absolute wonder as Billie, and her chemistry with William Holden is delightful to behold. Broderick Crawford is perfectly cast as the self-made junk tycoon!
  
  Born Yesterday is considered one of the classic comedies of all time, with good reason. It really belongs in your DVD collection.
  
  
• "He's right! I'm stupid and I like it!"
  By A2JTPHCOV4IJFE on 2008-04-15
  From your first impression of Judy Holliday in this movie you expect her to be refined and sophisticated...well, until she opens her mouth! She's a perfect mix of Eliza Doolittle and Lina Lamont.
  It's no wonder Judy Holliday won an Academy Award for her amazing performance as Billie Dawn, a "dumb broad" who's "stupid, but likes it because she's happy and she gets everything she wants." (They had to have gotten some of the idea of Lina Lamont in "Singin' In the Rain" Singin' in the Rain (Two-Disc Special Edition) from this movie!)
  Billie's crooked boyfriend, Harry "King Junk" (Broderick Crawford)wants to get her out of the way while he is doing some business in Washington D.C. so he hires Paul (William Holden) a political writer, who agrees to teach her the ropes and smooth off her rough edges. Billie is soon cramming her blonde head full of books, music, art and all the sights of Washington D.C., and as she does, she realizes just how crooked her boyfriend really is and refuses to go along with it.
  
  This is a hilarious movie with an incredible performance by Judy Holliday!
  
  
• Deft Comedy
  By A2X44DD1TN0P13 on 2000-06-09
  Dont waste your time with the remake with Melanie Griffith...its absurdly terrible.

  Just a few lines delivered by the great Judy Holday lets the viewer know what a deft and fragile comedy this film really is.

  Broderick Crawford is at his best and Holden plays the straight man. Considering what trash is made in hollywood today..this film evokes a time where writing, direction and acting all played a part in making timless comedy on film .Will we ever see that again. Sorry!
  
  

• HA HA HA!!! THE FUNNIEST COMEDY I HAVE SEEN YET!
  By on 1999-05-28
  Why in tarnations am I the first person here reviewing this miraculous film? Haven't any of you out there heard of Judy Holliday's "dumb-blonde" and her perfect adptation of such a chick? Anyway, for those of you who have very sadly not heard of this movie, it is about a corrupt millionaire named Brock (Broderick Crawford, another wonderful actor) who goes off to Washington with his dumb fiance. William Holden, one of the best actors of the 1950's, acts as her tutor and educates her on governmet, literature, and mostly who her boyfriend really is and how he bribes others. At the end of this marvel,the tutor and Billie (Holliday) get married. PLEASE DON'T OVERLOOK THIS FILM. WATCH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  
• COMIC GENIUS!!
  By A2JMU71JFTQ12I on 2000-11-27
  I think I over-rate this movie, but it has had a big effect on me and my movie-watching tastes. I first watched this movie in June this past summer, after the American Film Institute had placed it at 24 on their list of the 100 funniest American comedies. Judy Holliday won a deserved Oscar AND a Golden Globe award for her hilarious performance. There are a few things I don't like about this film, such as Broderick Crawford's obnoxious character, but I laughed my head off. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this movie! George Cukor directed many great movies (including three other movies in which he collaborated with Holliday and Garson Kanin), and this one is one of the best, displaying his comic genius at work. I could go on forever about this movie, but I'll try to finish up. Born Yesterday is one of my all-time favorite movies, and is legions ahead of its 1993 remake, and is also one of the all-time funniest comedies in the past 50 years. I know I'm over-rating it, but, I repeat, it had a big effect on me. I guess it was a just a matter of watching the right movie at the right time.
  
  
• A Great must see film
  By A37HMDV0YLZM7J on 2005-07-26
  This film is great,Judy Holliday steals the spotlight in this one.She won an academy award for Her role as Billy Dawn,the dim witted girlfriend of Broderick Crawford who is a millionaire junk man.Crawford hires journalist William Holden to smooth Billy's rough edges and winds up falling in love with her.A great old film.A must see in my book.
  
  
• Silver Screen buff.
  By A9XKIPILS4HDF on 2006-06-29
  This film is very good at showing some of the details pf corporate shareholder voting methods and the way executives work. Judy Holliday learns the details of company voting quickly, delights us in her role as a corporate secretary and shows us what a professional actress she was. Paul Douglas interacts with her very well. DVD picture and sound were very good.
  
  
• Born Yesterday
  By A10ODC971MDHV8 on 2007-06-25
  New York-born comedienne Holliday had her first real film break the prior year as the wronged wife in the Tracy-Hepburn comedy "Adam's Rib" (1949), and her solid supporting turn helped her clinch the role of Billie, a role she'd done on Broadway. With its witty screenplay and "Pygmalion"-like story, the result was pure gold, netting Holliday the Best Actress Oscar for 1950, and jump-starting her film career in earnest. Broderick is wonderfully crude as her pre-occupied husband, and Holden performs the unheralded job of straight man with finesse. And Judy is fantastic. Smoothly paced comedy from master George Cukor.
  
  
• A sucessful play that transfered so well to the screen that
  By A2MFNDNS1L7D16 on 2007-11-16
  Judy Holliday won an Oscar. She's Billie, the dumb, beautiful, girl-friend of Harry, (Crawford) a crooked, junk dealer on the make. They are in D.C. to "buy" Harry a Senator. Harry is a bully & wealthy. He virtually owns Billie giving her everything, except of course, what she wants most, affection. But he's too busy & she's merely his arm ornament. She's also a problem. She's ill-educated, coarse & basically an embarassmentt to Harry who's trying to impress & influence people. He hires Paul, (Holden) an unemployed journalist to refine Billie, educate her, & soften her rough edges. He does his job very well. We find that Billie is not so dumb at all. She also falls in love with Paul. With her new found knowledge she gets wise to Harry's illegal actvities. It bothers her & she feels guilty about her own situation, basically a bird in a guilded cage. With Paul's help she realizes that she does have options & it's a big world "out there". Excellent acting all around.
  
  

• It Should Happen to You
• Born Yesterday
• The Solid Gold Cadillac
• Ball of Fire
• All About Eve (Two-Disc Special Edition)