IMDb > There's No Business Like Show Business (1954)
There's No Business Like Show Business
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There's No Business Like Show Business (1954) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   1,448 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 96% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Phoebe Ephron (screenplay) and
Henry Ephron (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for There's No Business Like Show Business on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
16 December 1954 (USA) more
Plot:
Molly and Terry Donahue, plus their three children, are The Five Donahues. Son Tim meets hat-check girl Vicky and the family act begins to fall apart. more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 nomination more
User Comments:
That extra bow! more (35 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Ethel Merman ... Molly Donahue

Donald O'Connor ... Tim Donahue

Marilyn Monroe ... Vicky
Dan Dailey ... Terence Donahue
Johnnie Ray ... Steve Donahue
Mitzi Gaynor ... Katy Donahue
Richard Eastham ... Lew Harris
Hugh O'Brian ... Charles Biggs
Frank McHugh ... Eddie Dugan, Vicky's Agent

Rhys Williams ... Father Dineen
Lee Patrick ... Marge
Eve Miller ... Hat check girl
Robin Raymond ... Lillian Sawyer
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Irving Berlin's There's No Business Like Show Business (UK) (complete title) (USA) (complete title)
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Runtime:
117 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.55 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (optical prints) | 4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Recording) (magnetic prints)
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
During the making of the CD, it was discovered that half the "Play a Simple Melody" duet was deteriorated beyond repair, with the result that Ethel Merman is credited on the CD label with singing with a "temporary vocal double for Dan Dailey". However, the non-stereo version was intact and was added to the CD as well - they are tracks Fourteen and Fifteen. more
Goofs:
Continuity: On the billboard on opening night the Donohue daughter's name is spelled "Katie"; on the poster for "34th week" it is spelled "Katy". more
Quotes:
[Molly is dunking Tim's head in a sink full of water to try to sober him up]
Tim Donahue: Ma!
[she dunks his head under water]
Tim Donahue: Ma! You're drowning me!
[Molly dunks his head again]
Molly Donahue: Don't put any ideas in my head
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Smallest Show on Earth (1957) more
Soundtrack:
After You Get What You Want You Don't Want It more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
13 out of 20 people found the following comment useful.
That extra bow!, 2 June 2006
7/10
Author: jotix100 from New York

20th Century Fox was no match for MGM when it came to musicals. Daryl F. Zanuk decided to gamble with this film where the talents of a Broadway star, Ethel Merman, would be showcased. Ms. Merman in spite of being the toast of Broadway, never made it big in Hollywood. After all, she was not a radiant beauty, but oh, could she belt a song that could be heard at the top of the balcony! Phoebe and Henry Ephron were brought on board to write the screen treatment and Walter Lang directed.

The musical was also blessed in that Irving Berlin's music is heard throughout in all its glory. Ms. Merman was the perfect actress to interpret the songs written by Mr. Berlin. They made a perfect duo, even though, for some viewers not used to Ethel Merman's singing style, it might prove an uneasy combination.

The story is simple enough. It follows the Donahues from the early days of vaudeville through some glittering years after. Molly and Terence Donahue had two sons, Tim and Steve, and a daughter, Katy. As the children grow up, the parents' popularity began to recede. The film deals with Tim, as a young man, as he falls for Vicky Parker, a beautiful singer who makes it big on her own. Vickie, who is more interested in her own career neglects Tim. As a result, Tim goes on his own to find himself, away from his family and Vickie.

The best thing in the film is Ethel Merman. She was a legendary figure and as Molly Donahue, she is at her best. Dan Dailey was the perfect partner for Ms. Merman. Donald O'Connor is also seen doing some fine dancing. Marilyn Monroe was a lovely woman to look at. As a singer, she had a small voice, but she used it well making the songs her own. Mitzi Gaynor plays Katy. Johnnie Ray, a popular singer of that period is terribly miscast. His Steve is the worst thing in the movie.

Although predictable, this film has some great things going for it. Some of the musical numbers are well staged and will not disappoint. On the whole as the camaraderie expressed by the title of the film is evident in the musical.

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plot hole miriamwebster
johnnie raye v marilyn monroe kathleencurley1
HEAT WAVE! denis-38
ordination music kathleencurley1
hiya kwifil
I was obsessed with this movie when I was a kid marybeth_cameron
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