Bernie West, Dean Martin, Dort Clark, Eddie Foy Jr., Frank Gorshin ...( see more  see more... ) , Fred Clark , Jean Stapleton , Judy Holliday , Ralph Roberts , Ruth Storey , Valerie Allen

Judy Holliday's final film, Bells Are Ringing, is, fittingly enough, a tailor-made vehicle for her brassy talent. She'd won a Tony for the Broadway version of the show, playing an overly sympathetic t...( read more  read more... )elephone receptionist who gets involved in her customers' lives. Betty Comden and Adolph Green adapted their stage musical, amusingly framing the film as a TV commercial for "Susanswerphone," the answering service Judy works for. Director Vincente Minnelli, in one of his less inspired outings, seems content to showcase Holliday's crack comic timing, which appears to have been transferred almost intact from the stage. Despite the somewhat muted tone, there are delightful bits: a typical Comden & Green showbiz party (with a number about name-dropping), Frank Gorshin's send-up of a Brando-inflected actor, and Dean Martin crooning while shouldering his way through a Manhattan crowd. "The Party's Over," that unforgettable end-of-the-evening lament, and "Just in Time" are the Jule Styne standards from the score. --Robert Horton

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75% liked it

1,470 ratings

Critics

75% liked it

8 critics

Unrated, 2 hrs. 7 min.

Directed by: Vincente Minnelli

Release Date: June 23, 1960

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DVD Release Date: March 15, 2005

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Flixster Reviews (95)


  • June 24, 2009
    Moments of genius, moments of complete stupidity.

    Judy Holliday was fantastic, but I found the film real uneven. I bet on stage it would work a lot better. The police story line was especially cringe inducing. However there was great physical comedy shtick
  • May 29, 2009
    Judy Holliday is a an absolute delight in her final film as a telephone answering service operator who becomes romantically involved with one of her clients. Stylish musical based on the 1956 Broadway hit of the same name is heartwarming and sweet from start to finish. An under...( read more)valued gem. Songs include the popular standards "Just in Time" and "The Party's Over".
  • July 28, 2009
    "Plaza 0 - double 4 - double 3. What a perfect relationship. I can't see him. He can't see me."


    This is a light, fluffy musical comedy from 1960 starring Judy Holliday and Dean Martin. Vincente Minnelli directs. The plot is one which just wouldn't work today due to technolog...( read more)ical advances (similar to "Pillow Talk" the year before). In the days before answering machines, voice mail, pagers, and cell phones, there were answering services. Holliday works at such a service called "Susanswerphone". But, wouldn't you know it? She falls for one of the clients, a playwright with writer's block played by Martin.

    Judy originated the role on Broadway and shows what a delightful, first-rate talent she was in what would sadly be her last film. Dino was also good and I enjoyed his singing, as always. It was a fun way to spend a laid-back summer evening.

    Interestingly, Martin Scorcese chose it as one of his "Scorsese Selections" for DirectTV. His write-up on the film is worth reading: http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/article.jsp?assetId=P6030050
  • March 20, 2009
    Sweet, good natured comedy. Wonderful supporting cast but the shining light of the whole thing is Judy Holliday a truly unique talent. She glows when ever she's on screen. Sadly this was her last film. A real loss.
  • September 19, 2008
    Judy Holliday's performance was great and I enjoyed her job. How fun would that be to work at Susanswerphone! I did, however, find the songs lacking and Dean Martin boring.
  • July 24, 2008
    nominated for best picture at the golden globes
  • March 15, 2008
    This is a delightful comden and Green songs with Judy Holiday reprising her great Broadway performance. Dean Martin is slick as usual.
  • August 22, 2007
    A must see for anyone who thinks Judy Holliday was a genius.
  • July 19, 2007
    All CLASSICS are GOOD
  • June 7, 2007
    It's worth seeing for Judy Holliday's performance and for Dean singing Just in Time alone. It's a charming movie.

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