Bells Are Ringing (1960)

A Brooklyn answering service operator becomes involved in the lives of her clients, including a struggling playwright with whom she begins to fall in love.

Director:

Vincente Minnelli

Writers:

Betty Comden (screen play), Adolph Green (screen play)

Stars:

Judy Holliday, Dean Martin, Fred Clark

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Judy Holliday	...	Ella Peterson
Dean Martin	...	Jeffrey Moss
Fred Clark	...	Larry Hastings
Eddie Foy Jr.	...	J. Otto Prantz
Jean Stapleton	...	Sue
Ruth Storey	...	Gwynne
Dort Clark	...	Inspector Barnes
Frank Gorshin	...	Blake Barton
Ralph Roberts	...	Francis
Valerie Allen	...	Olga
Bernard West	...	Dr. Joe Kitchell (as Bernie West)
Steve Peck	...	Gangster (as Steven Peck)
Gerry Mulligan	...	Ella's Blind Date

Storyline

Ella Peterson is a Brooklyn telephone answering service operator who tries to improve the lives of her clients by passing along bits of information she hears from other clients. She falls in love with one of her clients, the playwright Jeffrey Moss, and is determined to meet him. The trouble is, on the phone to him, she always pretends to be an old woman whom he calls "Mom."

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Plot Keywords:

answering service | playwright | manhattan new york city | based on stage musical | times square manhattan new york city | 

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Taglines:

The screen is singing M.G.M. is bringing Broadway's Bell-Ringer of a Musical to the World!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

14 November 1960 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Bells Are Ringing

Filming Locations:

Manufacturers Hanover Trust Building - 350 Park Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min (Turner library print) (copyright length)

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Frank Gorshin (Blake Barton) is doing an impression of Marlon Brando. Gorshin was one of Hollywood's greatest impressionists, along with Rich Little. He would become famous for playing "The Riddler" on Batman (1966), appearing in ten episodes, and a role for which he was nominated for an Emmy.

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Goofs

During the "gathering of the bookies" scene in a basement, Eddie Foy Jr.'s speech is backed up with the hissing of steam and the clinking of pipes. As soon as the pre-recording of "A Simple Little System" begins, all vestiges of the hissing of steam and the clinking of pipes miraculously cease until the final fade-out.

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Quotes

Carl: Hey, Titanic Records - is that a new label?
J. Otto Prantz: We have only the finest European recordings.
Carl: Oh, Brandenburg Number Three. I have the Leonard Bernstein recording. Who's on your label?
J. Otto Prantz: The Dusseldorf Zuider Zee Moonlight Hanseatic League Symphony on the Karlsruhe.

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Crazy Credits

Joan Staley in the credits as "Blonde in Susanswerphone Ad".

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Connections

Featured in Hollywood Musicals of the 60's (2000)

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Soundtracks

The Midas Touch
(1956) (uncredited)
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Performed by Hal Linden and Chorus

User Reviews

Delightful surprise of a movie

I found Bells Are Ringing accidentally when I was researching another film project and it has become a favorite. While Holliday is sparkling in her role, it is Martin's low-key reactions (which are, of course, what made him such a great straight man) that send me back to watch the film again and again. It's a "don't-miss" for fans of Holliday, Martin and the musical comedy - heavy on the comedy - genre.