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

The stage version of "The Matchmaker" opened in New York on December 5, 1955 at the Royale Theatre and closed on February 2, 1957 at the Booth Theatre. Ruth Gordon starred as Dolly Levi and Loring Smith as Horace Vandergelder. Robert Morse as Barnaby Tucker was the only actor to reprise his role in the movie version.

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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

Dolly "Gallagher" Levi: Life is never quite interesting enough. You people who come to the movies know that. So I manage things a little. Nature isn't satisfactory, quite, and so it has to be corrected. So I put my hand in here and my hand in there.

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Connections

Version of Einmal keine Sorgen haben (1953)

User Reviews

Better Than the Musical;

I enjoyed this much more than it;s musical counterpart 'Hello Dolly'. The cast is so much more likable. They have high energy but are not phony. Shirley Booth is like the lovable grandmother and not the diva like Barbra Streisand was. She kind of reminds me of Aunt Clara from 'Bewitched' she is not dopey but she is just so sweet lovable and gentle. While Streusand just kind of had this thing as if to hey look at me!!!!'Anthony Perkins is cute, and likable not dopey like Micheal Crawford. and Paul Ford, is a much more convincing portrayal of Horace Vandergelder then Walter Mathau. 'Hello Dolly' was too stagy and phony while this is just cute and upbeat. I would chose this over 'Hello Dolly' any day.