Ada (1961)

Bo Gillis is running for Governor. Steve writes the speeches, Sylvester runs the campaign and Bo plays the guitar. Everything is going according to the plan until a hooker named Ada is ... See full summary »

Director:

Daniel Mann

Writers:

Arthur Sheekman, William Driskill,

Stars:

Susan Hayward, Dean Martin, Wilfrid Hyde-White

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Susan Hayward	...	Ada Gillis
Dean Martin	...	Bo Gillis
Wilfrid Hyde-White	...	Sylvester Marin
Ralph Meeker	...	Colonel Yancey
Martin Balsam	...	Steve Jackson
Frank Maxwell	...	Ronnie Hallerton
Connie Sawyer	...	Alice Sweet
Ford Rainey	...	Speaker
Charles Watts	...	Al Winslow
Larry Gates	...	Joe Adams
Robert S. Simon	...	Warren Hatfield
Bill Zuckert	...	Harry Davers (as William Zuckert)

Storyline

Bo Gillis is running for Governor. Steve writes the speeches, Sylvester runs the campaign and Bo plays the guitar. Everything is going according to the plan until a hooker named Ada is setup with Bo one night. Even with her past, Bo decides to marry her, must to the astonishment of everyone. After the election, she has a created bio and is very adept at handling people. Bo Gillis, as Governor, finds that he has little influence as Sylvester runs the whole operation. Bo's function is only to sign what is given to him. But while Bo is weak and fails to push his reforms, Ada is strong and adept at doing what is best for Bo and her.

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Plot Keywords:

lingerie slip | soap opera | based on novel | independent film | character name in title

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Taglines:

What was the truth about Ada?

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 1961 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ada Dallas

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avon Productions (II), Chalmar Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Although story takes place during Depression, a key prop is a portable tape recorder like those used during '50s.

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Soundtracks

"May the Lord Bless You Real Good"
Written by Warren Roberts and Wally Fowler

User Reviews

Susan Hayward

Susan Hayward right after her triumph in I Want To Live had a string of hit movies: Woman Obsessed, Marriage Go Round, Back Street and this film Ada. Ada was filmed at MGM with Hayward's favorite Director Daniel Mann at the helm and was produced by Hayward's Chalmar Production Company. The Hayward-Mann connection was responsible for Susan Hayward's favorite film I'll Cry Tomorrow also at MGM which won the Star the Cannes Film Festival Award and an Oscar nomination. This film lavishly produced by MGM centers around Ms. Hayward playing a tramp who marries the Governor of a Southern State played by Dean Martin, and eventually becomes Governor due to an assignation attempt on the Governor played by Dean Martin. Susan Hayward's skill as an actress and Dean Martin's fine leading Man work mesh well together.

Supporting players include Martin Balsam and Ralph Meeker both ably acquit themselves. I liked the scene where Meeker tries to blackmail La Hayward as the Governor's wife. Susan Hayward-ever in control simply slaps Meeker and moves on. ( In my opinion Meeker should have been a major star) Wlfrid Hyde White plays a very wily Southern politician.

For the record as is part of Susan Hayward legend, Of all Ms Hayward's classic films such as I Want To Live, Smash Up, My Foolish Heart, etc, Ada is the film Susan Hayward requested to see just before Ms Hayward died of brain cancer.

Also note that there are many scenes with bouquets of yellow Roses. said to be Ms Hayward's favorite flower, Susan Hayward carries a big bouquet of yellow roses to Mr. Hyde-White.

Ada is a Susan Hayward movie, if you like Ms. Hayward -and I do!- you will like this film.

The conclusion of the film is intelligent where Susan Hayward and Martin reconcile and walk out of the State Capitol as equals.