Bells Are Ringing (1960)

Ella Peterson is a Brooklyn telephone answering service operator who tries to improve the lives of her clients by passing along bits of information she hears from other clients. She falls ... See full summary »

Director:

Vincente Minnelli

Writers:

Betty Comden (screenplay), Adolph Green (screenplay),

Stars:

Judy Holliday, Dean Martin, Fred Clark

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Judy Holliday	...	Ella Peterson
Dean Martin	...	Jeffrey Moss
Fred Clark	...	Larry Hastings
Eddie Foy Jr.	...	J. Otto Prantz
Jean Stapleton	...	Sue
Ruth Storey	...	Gwynne
Dort Clark	...	Inspector Barnes
Frank Gorshin	...	Blake Barton
Ralph Roberts	...	Francis
Valerie Allen	...	Olga
Bernard West	...	Dr. Joe Kitchell (as Bernie West)
Steve Peck	...	Gangster (as Steven Peck)
Gerry Mulligan	...	Ella's Blind Date

Storyline

Ella Peterson is a Brooklyn telephone answering service operator who tries to improve the lives of her clients by passing along bits of information she hears from other clients. She falls in love with one of her clients, the playwright Jeffrey Moss, and is determined to meet him. The trouble is, on the phone to him, she always pretends to be an old woman whom he calls "Mom."

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Plot Keywords:

playwright | answering service | writer's block | police surveillance | makeover | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

14 November 1960 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Det ringer, det ringer

Filming Locations:

East Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,203,123 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min 126 min (Turner library print) (copyright length)

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

An alternate take of "The Midas Touch" (music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green), a production number with lead singer Hal Linden, still exists. In the release print, the second half of the musical proceedings gets shunted to the background, being "talked over" by Dean Martin, Frank Gorshin and Bernard West (billed as Bernie West). The center-stage version is available on the DVD from Warner Home Video.

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Goofs

During the "gathering of the bookies" scene in a basement, Eddie Foy Jr.'s speech is backed up with the hissing of steam and the clinking of pipes. As soon as the pre-recording of "A Simple Little System" begins, all vestiges of the hissing of steam and the clinking of pipes miraculously cease until the final fade-out.

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Quotes

Ella: I'm in love with a man - Plaza Oh- Double four- Double Three. What a perfect relationship - I can't see him, he can't see me!

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Connections

Referenced in The Nanny: The Party's Over (1995)

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Soundtracks

"I Love Your Sunny Teeth"
(1956) (uncredited)
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Performed a cappella by Bernard West

User Reviews

Great Actress' Swansong

Since the play, "Laurette," was never realized, the movie version of "Bells are Ringing" serves as Judy Holliday's "final" performance.

It's to her credit that she comes off as well as she does. The film is extremely stagey, and looks contrived and bloated, despite a most competent cast and director.

Yet Holliday is buoyant, full of fun, and energetic--all hallmarks of her theatrical persona.

I've read Holliday's complete bio, and am amazed she was able to overcome the tremendous obstacles she endured, from her sad childhood and family relationship through the communist "witch hunt" period--which left her saddled with protest pickets that followed her around--to failed marriages, lack of employment, and care giving responsibilities for her child and parent. All the while working wherever she could and keep smiling.

In many respects her career is quite similar to that of Montgomery Clift. Both apparently gave their best work on the stage, night after night before live audiences, rather than on film. Had both stayed in the theatre, their respective careers and lives might have remained more stable and healthy--and be alive today.

"Bells are Ringing" is a final tribute to a great talent, an Oscar-winning actress and comedienne who graced the stage and screen with a radiant presence and winning demeanor. Fortunately, as long as her films are shown, Judy Holliday will live and be rediscovered by future generations.