Call Me Madam
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Movie Reviews of Call Me Madam
Movie Review: Call Me Madam
Summary: 5 Stars
Call me Madam is an entertaining musical with songs you'll find yourself humming or sining around the house or while driving a car.Movie Review: La Merman Shines in a Text-Book Example of Movie Musicals
Summary: 4 Stars
I wish that more movie musicals were done like this...Okay, okay... I'll be the first to admit: the show is DATED. (In fact, had it not been for Miles Kreuger's commentary, I would NEVER have understood the phonecalls from Harry Truman.) I am also not a huge fan of the stage score or of Irving Berlin's score (with the exception of a handful of songs). BUT--I bought this DVD for basically one reason: the presence of the incomparable La Merman. She is wonderful, and one can only wish after watching this that she had done the film version of GYPSY.
Any way, the film is very faithful to the original, which is admirable for a film musical, ESPECIALLY in that time period. (CHICAGO was particularly good about this, as well.) Pratically all of the songs from the stage score are kept intact -- even the inane "Dance to the Music of the Ocarina," whish is, however, staged as a lovely dance routine. Insanely, the film cuts "They Like Ike," which was one of the biggest show-stoppers (after "You're Just in Love") in the original stage incarnation.
Merman gives a spectacular performance: those big eyes and that BIG voice. Amazing. Donald O'Connor is utterly charming, as usual, and finds the perfect foil in Vera-Ellen. (Kreuger makes a fine point when he discusses why they dance so well together: her ballet-trained movements nicely compliment his vaudevillian-hoofer training. Just watch and see.) O'Connor and Merman are great in "You're Just in Love." George Sanders plays a very striking Cosmo, and it is easy to see Merman's attraction to him. Incidentally, Merman's figure looks GREAT in this film (when you can stand next to super-petite Vera-Ellen and not look huge, that's always a testament to something) and she is always costumed exquisitely by Irene Sharaff.
Kreuger's commentary will not be for everyone, but I myself enjoyed it. Be forewarned, a good deal of it is focused on the bit players, and is generally a variation on the following: "The actor in grey on the right is Bilbo Baggins, who appeared in over 500 films with the studio, usually playing a Nazi sergeant or drunken cowboy. He's most remembered for his cameo in CASABLANCA where he steps on Humphrey Bogart's foot without saying 'excuse me,' etc." While this got tedious at times, I appreciated that he was recognizing these vetran actors, who did indeed have a large body of work: however, most just won't care. He also gives some helpful set up into the story of Perle Mesta and her trip to Luxembourg for President Truman.
Anyway, not a great musical, but watch it for Ethel perfoming the hell out of great songs with a wonderful supporting cast, in a film that should be mimiced closely by those attempting to mave film musicals today.
Movie Review: "Hey, boss, where the heck is Lichtenburg?"
Summary: 4 Stars
Ethel Merman's greatest triumphs were on the Broadway musical stage, where she starred in such shows as "Annie Get Your Gun", "Something for the Boys", "Girl Crazy", "Happy Hunting" and "Gypsy". On the screen, however, Merman wasn't so lucky. The only stage performance which Merman was granted the opportunity to cement on film was Sally Adams, the Washington hostess with the mostes', in Irving Berlin's CALL ME MADAM.
Assigned to the tiny European duchy of Lichtenburg, Washington society hostess-turned Ambassador Sally Adams (Ethel Merman) is soon up to her neck in romance and mayhem. The kingdom is broke and needs a loan from the States, but Sally won't be swayed by their overtures...until the handsome Foreign Minister (George Sanders) starts making overtures of his own! Meanwhile, Sally's assistant Kenneth (Donald O'Connor) literally falls head over heels for the lovely Princess Maria (Vera-Ellen).
Ethel Merman's brash vocal style was best suited to the zippy music of Irving Berlin, and the CALL ME MADAM score was especially-tailored to her unique gifts. "The Hostess with the Mostess on the Ball" is a fantastic opener, and things get even better with "Can You Use Any Money Today?", ''That International Rag", and "You're Just in Love". Merman doing pensive or romantic ballads was always an uneasy combination, but "The Best Thing for You" is actually the one number I adore most in this score. George Sanders reveals a strong and emotive singing voice in a rare musical role; Vera-Ellen's vocals (for "The Ocarina", "It's a Lovely Day Today" and "Something to Dance About") were dubbed by Carole Richards.
The DVD includes audio commentary with musical theatre historian Miles Krueger, two trailers, plus sneak peeks at other musicals available from Fox ("All That Jazz", "The Rose", "The Commitments", "Star!", "The Sound of Music", "Roxie Hart").
Movie Review: Powerhouse Merman, Great O'Connor, Pleasant Movie
Summary: 4 Stars
Call Me Madam is corny but good hearted. Merman is like a battleship; she just plows straight ahead and you'd better get out of her way. Donald O'Connor comes off best. I think he was a better dancer than Gene Kelly with a lot more charm, but he didn't seem to have Kelly's drive and ambition. Watch the numbers they do together in Singin' in the Rain, especially the vaudeville dance act, Fit as a Fiddle. O'Connor is just as proficient as Kelly, but he looks relaxed and as if he's having a great time. Kelly looks like he has his grin stapled on his face.
Call Me Madam benefits by giving us this great recording of what a full-stops performer Ethel Merman was. There's not much oxygen for anyone around her, but then there's not much point to this show except Merman. Vera Ellen was a great dance technician but, for me, not a very natural or warm personality. O'Connor does a fine job of loosening her up. He also manages, as few did, to stand his ground with Merman. Their contrapuntal duet, "You're Just In Love," is a good example of two pros working together and appearing to enjoy it. George Sanders gets by with good-natured suavity and a nice baritone. He can play a cad so effortlessly, one wonders if he could have handled more sympathetic roles in his career if he'd been willing to fight for them.
This is a very pleasant movie to watch a few times. But I'd glady toss it on the Hollywood heap if Merman had been given Gypsy.
Movie Review: A rare chance to see Ethel in action
Summary: 4 Stars
Merman was fortunate in being born during the Golden Age of popular song and she worked with the best composers: Porter, Berlin, Rodgers and Styne. In collaberation with those people she created the leading roles in more classic broadway shows than anybody. Ethel loved singing and she loved singing for YOU. Her legendary energy and generousity was not limited to the stage. I have a friend who spent many of his teenage days in New York Hospitals and Ethel could be heard singing throughout the hospital on days when she came to volunteer by entertaining the shutins. I don't think that "Call Me Madam" is as strong a show as "Annie Get Your Gun" but since we don't have "Annie" on film with Merman this is our chance to see the lady in action. Subtle she ain't but when you gotta knock 'em dead in the back row, you don't need subtle. Seeing this gives me another reason to hate Hollywood: 1, Not using Julie Andrews in "My Fair Lady" and 2, Not using Ethel Merman in "Gypsy." Two incredible opportunities down the drain. So get this DVD to see an American Musical Comedy institution in action. Supporting her are the under-rated Donald O'Connor and a singing George Saunders. No dub job here. The guy really had a great Bass voice. Had he chosen that route he could have been an opera singer.