IMDb > Born Yesterday (1950)
Born Yesterday
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Born Yesterday (1950) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 13 | slideshow)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   3,441 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Garson Kanin (play)
Albert Mannheimer (screenplay)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Born Yesterday on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
28 May 1951 (Sweden) more
Genre:
Tagline:
A perfectly swell motion picture!
Plot:
A million dollar Tycoon hires a tutor to teach his lover proper etiquette. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(8 articles)
Ask the Flying Monkey! (November 16, 2009)
 (From AfterElton.com. 15 November 2009, 9:20 PM, PST)

Assume Crash Positions For 'Boeing-Boeing' At Florida Rep
 (From BroadwayWorld.com. 1 November 2009, 12:03 PM, PST)

User Comments:
A perfect performance from a classy lady! more (54 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Judy Holliday ... Emma 'Billie' Dawn

Broderick Crawford ... Harry Brock

William Holden ... Paul Verrall
Howard St. John ... Jim Devery
Frank Otto ... Eddie
Larry Oliver ... Congressman Norval Hedges
Barbara Brown ... Mrs. Hedges
Grandon Rhodes ... Sanborn
Claire Carleton ... Helen
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
103 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
After Rita Hayworth put her career on hold due to her recent marriage to Prince Aly Khan, Harry Cohn was forced to recast the part of Billie Dawn. He considered a host of candidates rumored to have included Celeste Holm, Marie McDonald, Evelyn Keyes, Paulette Goddard, and Ida Lupino. He finally found the perfect Billie Dawn with the actress who had created the part 4 years before on Broadway. more
Goofs:
Continuity: After Mr. and Mrs. Hedges leave, Billie goes out of the room dancing to the sound of the radio, with a lit cigarette in her left hand. The next shot shows her entering in the other room with no cigarette at all. more
Quotes:
Billie Dawn: One night I brought home a hundred dollars and gave it to him. Do you know what he did?... Well, it sure didn't do the plumbing no good. more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
The Battle Hymn of the Republic more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
14 out of 14 people found the following comment useful.
A perfect performance from a classy lady!, 4 May 2006
10/10

Delightful! Hilarious! How often do we get to see a perfect performance? We're closing in on a century of movies and, as we can see, it's pretty rare. So flawless was Judy Holliday's portrayal of Billie Dawn that, as a relative unknown, she came from behind to beat out two heavyweights for the Oscar in 1950. I'm sure this was due in no small part to her refining the role for nearly three years on stage.

Everything else fell into place as well. Broderick Crawford was just excellent as Harry Brock. Crawford is able to swing you back and forth between anger and sympathy for his character. Not an easy task! William Holden is perfectly calm and reserved as Paul Verrall. His character forms a wonderful opposite to Billie. And, with direction, George Cukor worked his usual magic.

Most of the themes are timeless. A person lives in ignorant bliss until their eyes are opened. They realize that there is a better life for them and begin their struggle for improvement. They discover that their greatest opponents to advancement are not those above them, but those at their current level.

A few of the elements are dated. Particularly Jim's speech about how hard it is to find a corrupt politician in Washington. Wow. Maybe that was the case in 1950. Now it's impossible to find an honest one.

It all comes back to Judy Holliday. This movie is her vehicle. She was a rare talent who we were only able to see for a very short time. I love all of her movies and this one, Born Yesterday, is my favorite.

Thank you Judy!!!!!!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (54 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Born Yesterday (1950)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Ju-dy, Ju-dy, Ju-dy!! She Deserved That Oscar csu16387
this is a COMEDY?? j_hughes2000
anti-capitalist twob_ornot
the marriage license itmaylooklikeawalnut
What song is this? celestey-1
Bill Holden is hot with those glasses ladylavende
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Annie Hall Pygmalion Heaven Can Wait The Solid Gold Cadillac Lost in Translation
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.