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Ball of Fire (1941)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
2 December 1941 (USA) moreTagline:
The New Year's red-hot comedy! morePlot:
A group of ivory-tower lexicographers realize they need to hear how real people talk, and end up helping a beautiful singer escape from the Mob. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Nominated for 4 Oscars. moreUser Comments:
Great Cast, Dated-But-Fun Dialog more (52 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Gary Cooper | ... | Prof. Bertram Potts | |
| Barbara Stanwyck | ... | Sugarpuss O'Shea | |
| Oskar Homolka | ... | Prof. Gurkakoff | |
| Henry Travers | ... | Prof. Jerome | |
| S.Z. Sakall | ... | Prof. Magenbruch | |
| Tully Marshall | ... | Prof. Robinson | |
| Leonid Kinskey | ... | Prof. Quintana | |
| Richard Haydn | ... | Prof. Oddly | |
| Aubrey Mather | ... | Prof. Peagram | |
| Allen Jenkins | ... | Garbage Man | |
| Dana Andrews | ... | Joe Lilac | |
| Dan Duryea | ... | Duke Pastrami | |
| Ralph Peters | ... | Asthma Anderson | |
| Kathleen Howard | ... | Miss Bragg | |
| Mary Field | ... | Miss Totten |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
111 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)Certification:
Australia:PG | Argentina:Atp | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #7847)Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Billy Wilder had already written the story in Germany, then brought it to the USA when he emigrated and sold it to MGM. moreGoofs:
Crew or equipment visible: During the walk through central park, the camera shadow is visible on Professor Gurkakoff's torso. moreMovie Connections:
Featured in AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs: America's Funniest Movies (2000) (TV) moreSoundtrack:
Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride) moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (52 total)
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| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |

Wow, what a cast! Let's see, there's Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Richard Haydn, Oscar Homolka, Henry Travers, S.Z. Sakall, Tully Marshall, Dana Andrews, Allen Jenkins and more! Classic film fans know all these names.
What's more, it's a fun movie, fun to see and especially fun to hear. Stanwyck is her usual fascinating self, but in this movie it's the men - the seven old bachelors and the younger Cooper in the "club" - that are the most entertaining.
When you have directors and writers such as Howard Hawks and Billy Wilder behind the film, you know it's a winner.
Because the story dealt with a bunch of encyclopedia writers trying to find out the latest slang words, the dialog in here is really funny. The expressions of the day are dated and humorous and there are so many you can't count them all. Some are stupid; some are hilarious...which is what you get with most comedies anyway. Not every line hits the mark, but a lot do in this one.
Tack on some action and some romance and it's corny-but-cute film , entertaining all the way.