The Matchmaker (1958)

Thornton Wilder's tale of a matchmaker who desires the man she's supposed to be pairing with another woman.

Director:

Joseph Anthony

Writers:

Thornton Wilder (play), John Michael Hayes (screenplay)

Stars:

Shirley Booth, Anthony Perkins, Shirley MacLaine

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Shirley Booth	...	Dolly 'Gallagher' Levi
Anthony Perkins	...	Cornelius Hackl
Shirley MacLaine	...	Irene Molloy
Paul Ford	...	Horace Vandergelder
Robert Morse	...	Barnaby Tucker
Perry Wilson	...	Minnie Fay
Wallace Ford	...	Malachi Stack
Russell Collins	...	Joe Scanlon
Rex Evans	...	August
Gavin Gordon	...	Rudolph
Torben Meyer	...	Alex, Headwaiter, Harmonica Club
Orangey	...	Himself - a Cat (as Rhubarb)

Storyline

It's 1884 in Yonkers, New York. Dolly Gallagher-Levi is a Jane-of-all-Trades, but her latest and most lucrative venture is as a matchmaker, setting men up with women with the intention of matrimony. This job is ironic as she was previously married herself, not enjoying the experience. Her latest client is older penny-pinching retail store owner, Horace Vandergelder, who works his two young meek clerks, Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker, to the bone. As Horace won't give them a day off, Cornelius and Barnaby plot to close the store and sneak into New York for the day, their mission to meet and kiss a girl. In New York, Cornelius spots Irene Molloy, a young female milliner upon who he sets his sights. On their meeting, Cornelius is unaware that she is also one of Horace's possible brides. Beyond what happens between Horace, Cornelius and Irene, Dolly herself may be ready for matrimony again despite her words to the contrary.

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Plot Keywords:

impersonation | new york city | based on play | matchmaker | milliner | 

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Taglines:

You'll Laugh...You'll Love...

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Genres:

Romance | Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 August 1959 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Die Heiratsvermittlerin

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Don Hartman Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At one point, Anthony Perkins' character dresses up in a woman's housecoat and hat, an interesting precursor to his most famous role - Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960) - which at this point was two years away.

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Goofs

As he's preparing to leave Vandergelder's store, Joe Scanlon refers to Mr. Vandergelder as Mr. Handergelder.

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Quotes

Irene Molloy: I suppose a rich man can dance just as well as a poor one.

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Connections

Version of Hello, Dolly! (1969)

User Reviews

What "Hello Dolly" should be

This is the film that "Hello Dolly" strives to be but can't. Everything about this film is so sweet and Shirley Booth gives a performance that is just hilarious. I also like the way the actors talk to the audience every now and then. At least Miss Booth is more convincing as a middle-aged widow than Miss Streisand was. I wonder what "Hello Dolly" would have been like if they gave the part to Shirley Booth?