The Country Girl (1954)

83% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(2,916 ratings)

Bing Crosby does the Academy Award-bid bit in the atypical role of a self-pitying alcoholic, but it was his co-star, a deglamorized Grace Kelly, who won the Oscar for her performance in The Country Girl. This adaptation of Clifford Odets' play stars Crosby as Frank Elgin, a once-famous Broadway star… More Bing Crosby does the Academy Award-bid bit in the atypical role of a self-pitying alcoholic, but it was his co-star, a deglamorized Grace Kelly, who won the Oscar for her performance in The Country Girl. This adaptation of Clifford Odets' play stars Crosby as Frank Elgin, a once-famous Broadway star who's hit the skids. Hotshot young director Bernie Dodd (William Holden), a longtime admirer of Elgin, tries to get the old-timer back on his feet with a starring role in a new play. But Dodd must contend with Elgin's hard, suspicious wife Georgie, who seemingly runs roughshod over her husband. Dodd holds Georgie responsible for Elgin's lack of self-confidence and his reliance upon the bottle--a suspicion fueled by Elgin himself, who insists that Georgie has been suicidal ever since the death of their son. When Elgin goes on a monumental bender during the play's out-of-town tryouts, the truth comes out: it is Elgin who is suicidal, and Georgie has been the glue that has held him together. Adopting a now-or-never stance, Dodd forces Elgin to stay off the sauce long enough for the play to open--and, in spite of himself, falls in love with Georgie. A few Hollywood liberties were taken with the Odets original, including a slightly altered ending. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: George Seaton
Written By: George Seaton
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 15, 1954 Wide
On DVD: Aug 31, 2004
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Based on Odets' play, Seaton's version is an odd, overrated melodrama about co-dependency in alcoholic marriages, with decent turns by Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly as the central couple.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The backstage drama, when judged by today's standards, seems stagy, creaky and outdated.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
If you enjoy Crosby as a crooner instead of a showman, this is your movie.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
Two of Hollywood's greatest stars give what might be their best performances.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jennifer X

This is kind of a wannabe version of All About Eve, if you think about it.
AJ V

If you ever wanted to see Crosby in a dramatic role instead of a comedy, this is the movie to see. He gives a brilliant performance, as does the rest of the cast. The story is realistic and surprising to the end. I highly recommend this movie.
jay n

Okay film with good performances but Grace Kelly winning the Oscar for this performance against Judy Garland in A Star is Born shows the award up as the popularity contest that it is.
Michael G

A great dramatic turn for all the main stars. Even when trying to look plain, Grace Kelly looks beautiful.
cody f

A good film about Bing Crosby being a washed up drunkard actor, Grace Kelly as his wife who tries to keep him from falling apart, and William Holden as a director willing to take a chance on Bing for a new play. This is easily Bing's best performance of his career,it's the… More
A good film about Bing Crosby being a washed up drunkard actor, Grace Kelly as his wife who tries to keep him from falling apart, and William Holden as a director willing to take a chance on Bing for a new play. This is easily Bing's best performance of his career,it's the only film I've ever seen of his that he had to actually act. Grace is also great and won her only oscar for this performance. William Holden could do a toothpaste commercial and be a bad ass.

Cast

            Bing Crosby as Frank Elgin

            Grace Kelly as Georgie Elgin

            William Holden as Bernie Dodd

            Anthony Ross as Phil Cook

            Gene Reynolds as Larry

            Jacqueline Fontaine as Singer and Actress

            Eddie Ryder as Ed

            Robert Kent as Paul Linger

            John W. Reynolds as Henry Johnson

            Ida Moore as Woman

            Frank J. Scannell as Bartender

            Ruth Rickaby as Second Woman

            Hal K. Dawson as Actor

            Howard Joslin as Actor

            Charles Tannen as Photographer

            Les Clark as Actor

            Allan Douglas as Mian

            Jon Provost as Jimmie

            Don Dunning as Expressman

            Max Wagner as Expressman

            Chester Jones as Ralph (Dresser)

            Jack Roberts as Man

            Richard Keene as Actor

            Jack Kenney as Actor

            Bob Alden as Bellboy
See full cast