It Should Happen to You (1954)

100% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(650 ratings)

Gladys Glover (Judy Holliday) is an unsuccessful model and actress who believes that a jolt of publicity will do her career a world of good. She gets that publicity by renting a billboard in the middle of Manhattan, emblazoned with her name. As a result, Gladys is showered with endorsement by a… More Gladys Glover (Judy Holliday) is an unsuccessful model and actress who believes that a jolt of publicity will do her career a world of good. She gets that publicity by renting a billboard in the middle of Manhattan, emblazoned with her name. As a result, Gladys is showered with endorsement by a gentleman named Evan Adams III (Peter Lawford). He becomes enamored with Gladys, which irritates her "unofficial" boyfriend, documentary-director Pete Sheppard (Jack Lemmon, in his film debut). Pete grows tired of Gladys' publicity stunt, feeling that it is turning her into an object rather than a human being, but Gladys luxuriates in the fame and fortune. A happy ending may be inevitable, but it's a hard-won happiness for both hero and heroine. Scriptwriter Garson Kanin had intended this as a vehicle for Danny Kaye, but Kanin's wife, Ruth Gordon, suggested the gender-switch to Judy Holliday, noting that what might seem aggressive from Kaye would appear merely whimsical from Holliday. In one of the best scenes, real-life celebrities Melville Cooper, Ilka Chase and Constance Bennett show up as talk-show panelists -- the ideal magnet for the likes of Gladys Glover, who has become famous merely for being famous. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: George Cukor
Written By: Garson Kanin
Genres: Romance, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 15, 1954 Wide
On DVD: Jan 13, 2004
Studio: Columbia Pictures

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A "My Friend Irma" type of dumb blonde comedy, that is expertly performed by Judy Holliday.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Delicious comedy - and beautiful time capsule of New York City and early television.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Early Jack Lemmon comedy with real star power by Judy Holliday.
Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly
Judy & Jack are fabulous together
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Starring Judy Holliday, George Cukor's charming 1954 comedy may be Hollywood's first satire about the hunger for celebrity by ordinary people and the increasing power of advertising.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Enjoyable little comedy with bright stars.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Brilliantly directed by Cukor, and brilliantly acted by the great cast. This movie is hilarious, and a lot of fun. I highly recommend it.
jay n

Lovely comedy with some sharp observations. Judy is radiant and Jack's debut performance is a gem.

Cast

            Judy Holliday as Gladys Glover

            Peter Lawford as Evan Adams III

            Jack Lemmon as Pete Sheppard

            Michael O'Shea as Brod Clinton

            Vaughan Taylor as Entrikin

            Connie Gilchrist as Mrs. Riker

            Walter Klavun as Bert Piazza

            Heywood Hale Broun as Sour Man in Central Park

            Wendy Barrie as Herself

            Constance Bennett as Herself

            Whit Bissell as Robert Grau

            Lennie Bremen as Allie

            Chick Chandler as Engineer

            Ilka Chase as Herself

            Melville Cooper as Himself

            Ralph Dumke as Beckhard Salesman

            Rex Evans as Con Cooley

            Arthur Gilmore as Don Toddman

            Jim Hyland as Bartender

            Harold J. Kennedy
            
            Jack Kruschen as Joe

            Sandra Lee
            
            Margaret McWade as Elderly Lady

            Don Richards as Photographer

            Ted Thorpe
            
            Cora Witherspoon as Saleslady

            Mary Young as Old Lady Customer

            John Saxon as Boy Watching Argument in Park

            George Becwar
            
            Leo Curley as Board Member

            Herbert C. Lytton as Sound Man

            Tom Cound as Assistant Photographer

            Tom Hennessy
            
            Robert Earl Keen
            
            Stan Malotte
            
            James Nusser
            
            Stanley Orr as Makeup Man

            Robert Berger
            
            Frank Nelson as Salesman
See full cast