Daddy Long Legs (1955)

On a trip to France, millionaire Jervis Pendleton sees an 18 year old girl in an orphanage. Enchanted with her, but mindful of the difference in their ages, he sponsors her to college in ... See full summary »

Director:

Jean Negulesco

Writers:

Phoebe Ephron (screenplay), Henry Ephron (screenplay)

Stars:

Fred Astaire, Leslie Caron, Terry Moore

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Fred Astaire	...	Jervis Pendleton III
Leslie Caron	...	Julie Andre
Terry Moore	...	Linda Pendleton
Thelma Ritter	...	Alicia Pritchard
Fred Clark	...	Griggs
Charlotte Austin	...	Sally McBride
Larry Keating	...	Ambassador Alexander Williamson
Kathryn Givney	...	Gertrude Pendleton
Kelly Brown	...	Jimmy McBride
Ray Anthony	...	Ray Anthony (as Ray Anthony and his Orchestra)

Storyline

On a trip to France, millionaire Jervis Pendleton sees an 18 year old girl in an orphanage. Enchanted with her, but mindful of the difference in their ages, he sponsors her to college in New England. She writes him letters, which he doesn't read. After 3 years, he goes to visit her at a dance, not telling her that he is her benefactor. They fall in love, but the usual movie-type difficulties get in the way before they can get together at the end.

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Plot Keywords:

remake | millionaire | love | 18 year old | orphanage | 

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Genres:

Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

5 May 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Daddy Langbein

Filming Locations:

Andrew Carnegie Mansion - 2 East 91st Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Fred Astaire thought the "Sluefoot" would become a huge dance craze. He was wrong.

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Goofs

In a scene between Griggs and Pendleton, Pendleton, seated at the drum kit, points a drum brush at Griggs and then drops his hand as Griggs walks past him. In the immediate next closer shot of Pendleton, his arm is still raised with the drum brush pointed at Griggs.

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Quotes

Alicia Pritchard: Mr. Griggs, a person is NOT a corporation! A person is flesh and blood... and feelings !

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Connections

Version of Daddy-Long-Legs (1919)

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Soundtracks

International Playboy
(uncredited)
Music by Johnny Mercer
Instrumental danced by Fred Astaire and Chorus Girls

User Reviews

Creepy Old Man Love Story...

On a trip to France, millionaire Jervis Pendleton sees an 18 year old girl (Leslie Caron) in an orphanage. Enchanted with her, but mindful of the difference in their ages, he sponsors her to college in New England.

Is this a creepy story? In a way, yes, because you have a much older man with a woman who is barely an adult. The movie plays it off early on, with Astaire's character completely forgetting about the girl for two years until reminded by his staff. Clearly he is not out to pursue her in a creepy way. And yet, this is a romance.

Although the film is towards the end of Astaire's dancing career (he did "Funny Face" after this but not much else), it is still fun of the great songs and dances he was known for. If I had to decide, I would say Astaire was the all-time dance master, with Gene Kelly a distant second.