The Moon Is Blue (1953)

Two aging playboys are both after the same attractive young woman, but she fends them off by claiming that she plans to remain a virgin until her wedding night. Both men determine to find a way around her objections.

Director:

Otto Preminger

Writers:

F. Hugh Herbert (written for the screen by), F. Hugh Herbert (stage play "The Moon Is Blue")

Stars:

William Holden, David Niven, Maggie McNamara

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
William Holden	...	Donald Gresham
David Niven	...	David Slater
Maggie McNamara	...	Patty O'Neill
Tom Tully	...	Michael O'Neill
Dawn Addams	...	Cynthia Slater
Fortunio Bonanova	...	Television Performer
Gregory Ratoff	...	Taxi Driver

Storyline

Successful architect Don Gresham (William Holden) engages a young actress, Patty O'Neill (Maggie McNamara), in conversation on top of the Empire State Building, and she accepts his invitation to dinner. Dropping in at his apartment on the way, they decide to dine there as Patty announces herself an excellent cook. Don slips out to buy food, and Patty is briefly visited by his ex-fiancée, Cynthia Slater (Dawn Addams), and not too briefly, by Cynthia's father David (David Niven), a middle-aged, practiced charmer who, on her invitation, stays to dinner. A slight accident at the table occasions Patty to change her dress for Don's bathrobe. While Don is away placating the jealous Cynthia, David loses no time in offering Patty a proposal of marriage and a six hundred dollar gift. She accepts the latter and is surprised by Don in a grateful kiss to David. Don is still enraged with Patty when her father arrives, and, outraged to discover his daughter in a bachelor's apartment, knocks him ...

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Plot Keywords:

dinner | bathrobe | color in title | dinner party | bath | 

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Taglines:

From the Sensational Stage Hit That Ran 3 years on Broadway!

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 July 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

Wolken sind überall

Filming Locations:

Motion Picture Center Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Otto Preminger Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Terry Moore and Diana Lynn mentioned for Maggie McNamara role.

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Quotes

Patty O'Neill: I took my shoes off because my feet hurt.
David Slater: Oh, you should never say your feet hurt.
Patty O'Neill: Why not? They do.
David Slater: "My foot, singular, hurts" is an intriguing statement. "My feet, plural, hurt" is a rather sordid admission.

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Connections

Featured in M*A*S*H: The Moon Is Not Blue (1982)

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Soundtracks

"The Moon Is Blue"
(uncredited)
Music by Herschel Burke Gilbert
Lyrics by Sylvia Fine

User Reviews

It's one of my favorite comedies

I've only seen the English version of "The Moon is Blue". I usually don't like Otto Preminger's films, but this one I simply adore. It's one of my favorite comedies. The performances are very good. All the actors have a great sense of timing. I believe it is a film one shouldn't miss. In the beginning it may seem like a silly, strange story, but it's really very funny.