Call Me Madam (1953)

Washington hostess Sally Adams becomes a Truman-era US ambassador to a European grand duchy.

Director:

Walter Lang

Writers:

Russel Crouse (musical "Call Me Madam"), Howard Lindsay (musical "Call Me Madam")

Stars:

Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor, Vera-Ellen

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ethel Merman	...	Sally Adams
Donald O'Connor	...	Kenneth Gibson
Vera-Ellen	...	Princess Maria
George Sanders	...	General Cosmo Constantine
Billy De Wolfe	...	Pemberton Maxwell
Helmut Dantine	...	Prince Hugo
Walter Slezak	...	August Tantinnin
Steven Geray	...	Prime Minister Sebastian
Ludwig Stössel	...	Grand Duke Otto (as Ludwig Stossel)
Lilia Skala	...	Grand Duchess Sophie
Charles Dingle	...	Sen. Brockway
Emory Parnell	...	Sen. Charlie Gallagher
Percy Helton	...	Sen. Wilkins

Storyline

Boisterous, fun-loving, and popular Washington D.C. hostess Sally Adams is appointed U.S. Ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Lichtenburg, Europe's smallest country. In Lichtenburg, the Duke and Duchess are negotiating a political marriage for their niece, Princess Maria in exchange for a substantial dowry. However, the country is desperate for funds, and turns to the inexperienced ambassador for a much needed U.S. loan. Sally refuses to talk money, that is, until she meets the ultra charming Gen. Cosmo Constantine. Meanwhile, Sally's press attaché Kenneth Gibson falls head over heels for Princess Maria.

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Plot Keywords:

ambassador | u.s. ambassador | princess | hostess | washington d.c. | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

Irving Berlin's Call Me Madam

Filming Locations:

Stage 5, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A lesser-known 'Irving Berlin (I)' ballad from his 1950 stage score went missing from the film: "Once Upon a Time Today," written for the Kenneth Gibson character and performed on Broadway by Russell Nype.

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Quotes

August Tantinnin: And if I may be permitted an extremely unofficial remark, off the record, as you say, the American ambassador is very beautiful.
Prime Minister Sebastian: So beautiful.
Sally Adams: Well, thank you.
[aside]
Sally Adams: A good optometrist could clean up around here.

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Crazy Credits

During the opening credits, as each word in the title appears onscreen, we hear, but do not see, Ethel Merman exclaiming, in a demanding tone of voice: "Call..me..madam!"

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Connections

Featured in Fred Astaire Salutes the Fox Musicals (1974)

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Soundtracks

That International Rag
Written by Irving Berlin
Performed by Ethel Merman

User Reviews

Madame Ambassador

Thanks to the Fox Movie Channel one can rediscover forgotten things that don't show on television these days. It was a royal treat to have this film play the other night. We had seen the film years ago, but one forgets how much fun it was and how it still can delight anyone at all.

It helps a great deal this musical score was written by Irving Berlin, perhaps one of the most talented American composers of all times. The music of "Call Me Madam" can't be considered his best, but it pleases the viewer when it plays on the screen. The direction by Walter Lang also was an asset; even though it's filmed musical theater, it doesn't feel claustrophobic.

Ethel Merman was a magnificent star of the New York Broadway stage. She was a legend in the way she could sing a song and she could be heard in the whole theater; no mikes for Ms. Merman!. She was an original who was a consumed entertainer; she graced many musicals during her lifetime. It shows how foolish Hollywood was in not letting Ms. Merman repeat some of the same roles she created for the theater. It's sad, but it's a great loss.

Donald O'Connor does some of his best work in films in the movie. He plays well against Ms. Merman, as well as against Vera Ellen, his love interest in the film. Mr. O'Connor and Ms. Ellen are charming in their roles.

A great surprise was to see George Sanders, a man who played heavies, or cynical characters on the screen, singing and acting with enough suavity to charm Ms. Merman. Also in the cast, Walter Slezak, Billy DeWolfe, who are also effective in their supporting roles.

This is a film that will delight anyone looking for a pleasant time watching a delightful musical.