Born Yesterday (1950)
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95% of critics liked it
(20 reviews) -
84% of users liked it
(4,527 ratings)
Garson Kanin's Broadway hit was transferred to the screen with only a few passing nods to the stricter censorship required by films. Judy Holliday won an Oscar for her portrayal of Billie Dawn, a strident, dim-bulbed ex-chorus girl who is the mistress of millionaire junk tycoon Harry Brock… More Garson Kanin's Broadway hit was transferred to the screen with only a few passing nods to the stricter censorship required by films. Judy Holliday won an Oscar for her portrayal of Billie Dawn, a strident, dim-bulbed ex-chorus girl who is the mistress of millionaire junk tycoon Harry Brock (Broderick Crawford). In Washington to put a few senators and congressmen in his pocket (the better to lay the groundwork for an illegal cartel), the rude-and-crude Brock realizes that the unrefined Billie will prove an embarrassment. Thus he hires idealistic but impoverished Paul Verrell (William Holden) to pump some intelligence and "class" into Billie. Paul does his job too well; by awakening Billie's social and political consciousness, he turns the girl into Brock's most formidable foe in his efforts to buy influence in DC. Along the way Paul and Billie fall in love. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- George Cukor
- Genres
- Drama, Classics, Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Dec 26, 1950 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
George Cukor directed, a little impersonally for him.
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, Time Out
Magic.
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Bosley Crowther, New York Times
More firm in its social implications than ever it was on the stage and blessed with a priceless performance by rocketing Judy Holliday, this beautifully integrated compound of character study and farce made a resounding entry at the Victoria yesterday.
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Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Lively political comedy.
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Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
Judy Holliday steals the show as the dumb blonde whose gangster boyfriend wants her to acquire some culture, so he hires her a tutor.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Broderick Crawford
as Harry Brock
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Judy Holliday
as Billie Dawn
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William Holden
as Paul Verrall
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Howard St. John
as Jim Devery
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Frank Otto
as Eddie
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Larry Oliver
as Norval Hedges
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Barbara Brown
as Mrs. Hedges
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Grandon Rhodes
as Sanborn
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Claire Carleton
as Helen
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Charles Cane
as Policeman
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Helen Eby-Rock
as Manicurist
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Mike Mahoney
as Elevator Operator
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Paul Marion
as Interpreter
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David Pardon
as Barber
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Ram Singh
as Native
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Smoki Whitfield
as Bootblack
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John Morley
as Native
