Daddy Long Legs (1955)

68% of users liked it
(2,722 ratings)

This last remake (thus far) of the Jean Webster novel Daddy Long Legs was extensively revised to accommodate the talents of Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron. Fragments of the basic plot remain: American millionaire Astaire is the unknown benefactor of French orphan girl Caron, financing the girl's… More This last remake (thus far) of the Jean Webster novel Daddy Long Legs was extensively revised to accommodate the talents of Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron. Fragments of the basic plot remain: American millionaire Astaire is the unknown benefactor of French orphan girl Caron, financing the girl's education on the proviso that his identity never be revealed to her. Moved by Caron's letters of thanks, Astaire's secretary Thelma Ritter advises Astaire to go to France to visit the "child". When he arrives, he finds that his ward has grown up rather nicely, and the two fall in love--though Caron never knows until the very end who Astaire really is. The old story has been updated to allow for an elaborate "cowboy" number and a couple of Eisenhower jokes. Highlights include a solo ballet by Caron and a wonderful Astaire routine involving a set of drums. The score for Daddy Long Legs is unremarkable save for Johnny Mercer's hit "Something's Gotta Give". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 2 hr. 6 min.
Directed By: Jean Negulesco
Written By: Phoebe Ephron, Henry Ephron, Jean Webster
Genres: Drama, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics

In Theaters: May 5, 1955 Wide
On DVD: Feb 21, 2006
Studio: 20th Century Fox

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

fine performances, especially thelma ritter and fred clark and great music but much too long.
Dannielle A

Some cute song and dance numbers.
Marion R

A good film. A nice musical, with some good numbers, one of the better Astaire films.

Cast

            Fred Astaire as Jervis Pendleton III

            Leslie Caron as Julie Andre

            Terry Moore as Linda Pendleton

            Thelma Ritter as Miss Pritchard

            Fred Clark as Griggs

            Charlotte Austin as Sally McBride

            Larry Keating as Alexander Williamson

            Kathryn Givney as Gertrude Pendleton

            Kelly Brown as Jimmy McBride

            Sara Shane as Pat

            Numa Lapeyre as Jean

            Ann Codee as Mme. Sevanne

            Steven Geray as Emile

            Percival Vivian as Professor

            Joseph Kearns as Guide

            Larry Kent as Butler

            Charles Anthony Hughes as Hotel Manager

            Ralph Dumke as Mr. Bronson

            Damian O'Flynn as Larry Hamilton

            Kathryn Card as Mrs. Carrington

            Tim Johnson as Bellhop

            Harry Seymour as Cab Driver

            Olan Soule as Assistant Hotel Manager

            J. Anthony Hughes as Delivery Man

            George Dunn as Chauffeur

            Gertrude Astor as Woman

            Janice Carroll as Athetic Girl Dancer

            Elizabeth Patterson
            
            Ray Anthony Orchestra
            
            Helen Van Tuyl as College Dean

            Carleton Young as Commission Member

            David Hoffman as Jeweler

            Paul Power as Commission Member

            Paul Bradley as Second Jeweler
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