There's No Business Like Show Business (1954)

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.

Director:

Walter Lang

Writers:

Phoebe Ephron (screenplay), Henry Ephron (screenplay),

Stars:

Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor, Marilyn Monroe

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ethel Merman	...	Molly Donahue
Donald O'Connor	...	Tim Donahue
Marilyn Monroe	...	Vicky Parker
Dan Dailey	...	Terence Donahue
Johnnie Ray	...	Steve Donahue
Mitzi Gaynor	...	Katy Donahue
Richard Eastham	...	Lew Harris
Hugh O'Brian	...	Charles Gibbs
Frank McHugh	...	Eddie Dugan, Vicky's Agent
Rhys Williams	...	Father Dineen
Lee Patrick	...	Marge
Eve Miller	...	Helen - Hatcheck Girl
Robin Raymond	...	Lillian Sawyer

Storyline

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.

---

Plot Keywords:

hat check girl | reference to chekhov's the cherry orchard | cinemascope | miami florida | dysfunctional family | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 December 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

Irving Berlin's There's No Business Like Show Business

Filming Locations:

Stage 9, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (optical prints) 4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Recording) (magnetic prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the filming of the scene where Donald O'Connor and Marilyn Monroe were kissing, there were over 1,000 onlookers who had drifted over from other sets.

---

Goofs

In the "Heatwave" number, Marilyn Monroe actually accidentally pokes her finger in a dancer's eye, something you can see on the DVD on slow motion. The dancer is seen trying to hide behind the tree with his hand over his eye, but is enough of a trooper to continue with the number. Right after Marilyn pokes the dancer in the eye she performs a twirl, pokes her head between the branches of the fake tree and gives the dancer a kiss as an apology (it's quick but definitely a peck on the cheek to make up for the eye poke).

---

Quotes

Molly Donahue: Fit Lew Harris into this picture, will you?
Vicky Hoffman: Lew did everything for me. Maybe he did have some ideas, that doesn't mean I always agreed with them. There was never anyone for me but Tim.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Mothers-In-Law: Show Business Is No Business (1969)

---

Soundtracks

"Heat Wave"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Performed by Marilyn Monroe

User Reviews

Classic musical drama!

The first time you watch this movie, you'll think it's long, boring, and stupid. The second time you watch this movie, you'll love it. I can't begin to tell you why, but it's the truth. (I had the chance to show this film to an audience during a Donald O'Connor film festival. People came up to me weeks later to say that they had caught it again on cable, and loved it the second time through.)

Marilyn is definately "ehh". This movie was filmed during her worst years of personal abuses, and it shows all over her face and her work, lending a shadowy sadness to her character for modern audiences. Donald O'Connor's character also takes on a new depth for modern viewers familiar with his own life's history, oftentimes with a sharp poignance that helps him grab control of so many scenes, and turn his character's story into the strongest sub-plot of the film.

Merman is BRILLIANT as the real head of this family, giving us a wonderfully unique character. Her role as the strong, smart, powerful, and loving mother is truly a standout for the 50's in general, and musicals in particular.