How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967)

Armed with the titular manual, an ambitious window washer seeks to climb the corporate ladder.

Director:

David Swift

Writers:

Abe Burrows (book), Jack Weinstock (book)

Stars:

Robert Morse, Michele Lee, Rudy Vallee

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Morse	...	J. Pierpont Finch
Michele Lee	...	Rosemary Pilkington
Rudy Vallee	...	Jasper B. Biggley
Anthony 'Scooter' Teague	...	Bud Frump (as Anthony Teague)
Maureen Arthur	...	Hedy LaRue
John Myhers	...	Bert O. Bratt
Carol Worthington	...	Lucille Krumholtz
Kathryn Reynolds	...	Miss Smith aka Smitty (as Kay Reynolds)
Ruth Kobart	...	Miss Jones
Sammy Smith	...	Twimble / Wally Womper
Jeff DeBenning	...	Gatch (as Jeff Debenning)
Janice Carroll	...	Brenda
Robert Q. Lewis	...	Tackaberry
Paul Hartman	...	Toynbee
Dan Tobin	...	Johnson

Storyline

Twenty-seven year old New York window washer, J. Pierrepont Finch, believes he can be a success in the corporate world after he impulsively picks up the book "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying". The book promises its reader that he can climb the corporate ladder simply and quickly. The Worldwide Wicket Corporation, the business in the office building whose windows he washes is, according to the book, the perfect type of business. There he meets secretary Rosemary Pilkington, who sees in Ponty (as she calls him) an unassuming man who she believes the corporate world will eat alive. But Ponty, memorizing what the book tells him, does quickly climb the corporate ladder but not by doing any real work. Ponty has a few obstacles along the way such as: Bud Frump who sees Ponty as a rival and is the nephew by marriage of the company president J.B. Biggley; Hedy La Rue, a curvaceous but simple woman who has a secret or not-so-secret tie to someone important in the company; Mr. ...

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Plot Keywords:

breasts | big breasts | breast | book | business | 

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Taglines:

A Word of Caution : See This Picture Before You're Boss Does!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 March 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

How to Succeed in Business...

Filming Locations:

270 Park Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Mirisch Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Biggley's desk is in the shape of a question mark.

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Goofs

When Finch is showing his advertising campaign to the directors, J.B Biggley says, "Bravo, J.B, you've done it again!" to Finch, using his own name.

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Quotes

J. Pierpont Finch: Mediocrity is not a mortal sin.

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Connections

Referenced in Are You There, Chelsea?: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Crying (2012)

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Soundtracks

Rosemary
(uncredited)
Written by Frank Loesser
Performed by Robert Morse

User Reviews

Very enjoyable musical--a lot to relate to!

What a great musical! Too bad only one song made the hit parade( I Believe in You) Michelle Lee's singing voice has the depth and range of Barbara Striesand....wish we could have heard more of it. Rudy Vallee was a gem...topped off a remarkable career --the Elvis of the 1920s! Get the DVD....it's a beautiful transfer!