Call Me Madam (1953)

A great star and a great composer can make a Broadway musical into a smash, as Ethel Merman and Irving Berlin proved with Call Me Madam. Not a bad place to start with a movie, either, and the 1953 film of the show has both Merman and Berlin represented in brassy fashion. Granted, Merman's platinum-throated talents were best suited to the stage, and the production overall has that dutiful, stodgy tone of so many Fox musicals. Extra points for the suavity of George Sanders (he's Merman's love interest in tiny Lichtenburg, where the lady has been appointed U.S. ambassador), and for the dancing of Vera-Ellen and Donald O'Connor. A year after crashing through the wall in Singin' in the Rain, O'Connor has a similar solo athletic workout to "What Chance Have I with Love." High point: Merman and O'Connor trading verses on "You're Just in Love," the best tune in a bouncy score. --Robert Horton Amazon.com

Last of the great musicals...

This was Ethel Merman at her best. Even if you're not a fan, this is a cute movie with lovely songs and great dancing. The story is a bit silly and dated, but the acting and inside jokes keep it from being totally inane. The commentary was a little too dry. That was something that could have used some more Hollywood sparkle and less of a history lesson. Anyway, it was great to see Donald O'Connor in his prime and the duet with Ethel was a knockout. Just try and get some of those Irving Berlin songs out of your head after you watch this! September 20, 2008

Call Me Madam

Excellent product. Attempted to give this product 5 stars but one was missing. It is definitely a 5 star product. August 12, 2008

The best commentary ever

All other reviews has talked about how wonderful this movie is, but there is one more reason to own this movie. The commentary by musical film scholar Miles Kreuger is great! It is almost like a lesson in musical history. He gives so much information on Mr, Berlin, all the actors,, even dance and costume. If you love musical, you just have to watch this movie with the commentary on for once, you will surprise how much you can learn about this movie. January 28, 2008

Call me Ethel

Ethel Merman got to make the film version of her Broadway hit, Call Me Madam. Previously, producers almost always cast other actresses to recreate her stage successes. Stage fans complained (as they did later when Audrey Hepburn substituted for Julie Andrews in My Fair Lady), but seeing Merman in Call Me Madam should silence the complainers. She sinks her own film version. Her presence is no more than a gross caricature: vulgar, utterly charmless and crude. Either she refused to accept any direction or the director found it impossible to guide her into giving a performance for film.

On the other hand, seeing Donald O'Connor in this film makes one wish that he had found more musical roles in film and on stage. Vera Ellen dances at the top of her game with her singing dubbed as usual for the terrific Irving Berlin score. November 13, 2007

Wonderful nostalgia trip

I originally saw this movie when I was 10 years old and over the years remembered the wonderful dancing and songs. I was disappointed that it never seemed to turn up on TV and was delighted to be able to buy my own copy. When I saw it again recently it was even better than I had remembered it. Donald O'Connor's partnership with Vera-Ellen is enchanting - I've watched their dances over and over. And Ethel Merman lights up the screen every time she is on - her interpretation of the memorable Berlin songs, whether belted out or sweetly romantic - is, I believe, unbeatable. I now want to get all the other Merman movies. And what a shame that George Sanders' deep, rich baritone wasn't more widely heard. August 12, 2006

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