Du Barry Was a Lady (Gentleman's Choice) (1943)
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51% of users liked it
(927 ratings)
The racy, ribald Cole Porter musical Du Barry Was a Lady is here given a thorough dry-cleaning by prudish MGM. Richard "Red" Skelton takes over the role of Louis Blore (played on Broadway by Bert Lahr), while Lucille Ball steps into the shoes of the original play's Ethel Merman. The story proposes… More The racy, ribald Cole Porter musical Du Barry Was a Lady is here given a thorough dry-cleaning by prudish MGM. Richard "Red" Skelton takes over the role of Louis Blore (played on Broadway by Bert Lahr), while Lucille Ball steps into the shoes of the original play's Ethel Merman. The story proposes that Blore is a men's room attendant in a New York nightclub who has a yen for gorgeous showgirl May Daly (Lucille Ball). After drinking a potent mixture, Louis dreams that he is King Louis XV of France, and May is the magnificent Madame Du Barry. Also showing up in Louis' dream is Alex Howe (Gene Kelly), who in "real life" is the guy who ends up with May at fade out-time. It's hard to determine what's more fun to watch in Du Barry Was a Lady: the three stars, the antics of supporting player Zero Mostel, or the incredible sequence in which Tommy Dorsey & His Band -- including drummer Buddy Rich -- perform in 18th century garb and powdered wigs. Five of the original Cole Porter songs are retained for this Technicolor-ful film: "Katie Went to Haiti," "Do I Love You, Do I?," "Well, Did You Evah?," "Taliostro's Dance,", and, best of all, "Friendship." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- Unrated, 1 hr. 52 min.
- Directed By
- Roy Del Ruth
- Genres
- Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Aug 13, 1943 Wide
- On DVD
- Jun 19, 2007
- Studio
- MGM Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Hollywood ruined another wonderful Porter effort by cutting out most of his songs from the stage production.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Cast
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Red Skeltonas Louis Blore/King Louis -
Lucille Ballas May Daly/Madame Du Barry -
Gene Kellyas Alec Howe/Black Arrow
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Virginia O'Brienas Ginny -
Zero Mostelas Rami the Swami/Cagliostro -
Rags Raglandas Charlie/Dauphin
Trailers & Clips
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