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

Although Lichtenburg is a fictional country, the character of Sally Adams is based on the real-life Perle Mesta, a Washington, D.C. social hostess who in 1949 was named Ambassador to Luxembourg by President Harry S. Truman. The program of the Broadway show included the disclaimer: "Neither the character of Mrs. Sally Adams nor Miss Ethel Merman resemble any person living or dead."

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Quotes

Cosmo Constantine: You are the most American American I have ever met.
Sally Adams: That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me.

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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

Referenced in 20th Century-Fox: The First 50 Years (1997)

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Soundtracks

The Hostess with the Mostes
Written by Irving Berlin
Performed by Ethel Merman

User Reviews

O'Connor and Merman Shine

Both Ethel Merman and Donald O'Connor suffered from the same misfortune -- lack of quality movie roles to showcase their extraordinary gifts. In O'Connor's case, it was because from childhood up into his middle twenties he was contracted by Universal Studios which, up 'til that time, produced "B" movies, suitable for coming into an air-cooled movie theater on a hot summer's day, but not much else. He always shone brightly, however, even in those early films, but not 'til Singin' In The Rain -- and Call Me Madam -- did he get the chance to glitter in great "A" material. Ethel Merman, the greatest of the Broadway greats had expansive mannerisms, stereophonic lungs, and irrepressable exhuberance, and was not considered cinema material by the powers that be. See how wrong the powers can be? O'Connor and Merman together in this film make it great -- his dancing, her voice, their personalities blending in just the right way. Great movie with two great leads -- don't miss "Call Me Madam"!