Ada (4 stars)

Ada, from 1961, is a political drama starring Susan Hayward and Dean Martin, with Wilfrid Hyde-White, Ralph Meeker, Martin Balsam, and Frank Maxwell taking on supporting roles.  In many ways, this film is an early 60's version of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, as the "puppet elected official," who isn't as dumb as the big guys think, seeks to stand against political corruption.

The "puppet" elected official in this case is Bo Gillis (Dean Martin), a friendly, easy-going man of little education.  As his campaign for governor enters its final weeks, Bo and his entourage make a stop in one of the small towns of their Southern state.  A visit to a local establishment provides Bo with an introduction to call girl, Ada (Susan Hayward).  Although his campaign manager warns him "no girls," Bo spends the night with Ada and ends up falling in love with her, and much to the chagrin of his people, he decides to marry her.

Sylvester Marin (Wilfrid Hyde-White) is the kingpin behind Bo's campaign, and he is furious about the inappropriate marriage.  Though he suggests an annulment, Bo is adamant that he loves Ada and will not end his marriage to her.  Unable to get Ada out of the picture, Marin and his people develop an "acceptable" biography for Ada, and then they (without Bo's knowledge) seek to discredit the opponent by digging up dirt on his wife.  In Sylvester's words, "If you want to grow a beautiful rose, there's nothing like a little manure."

After Bo wins the election, he and Ada move into the governor's mansion; however, Bo soon discovers that the only job he has is affixing his signature to documents Mr. Marin prepares.  When his Lieutenant Governor (Frank Maxwell) makes him aware that the bills he is signing are filled with graft, Bo is furious, and with Ada's encouragement, he determines he'll stand up to Sylvester.  Marin, however, who has no intention of giving up his power, retaliates by forcing the Lieutenant Governor to resign, appointing Ada to that position, and then keeping her in line by threatening to expose her less-than-savory past.  How it all plays out is the balance of the film.  (And  both Susan Hayward and Dean Martin have the opportunity to deliver Jimmy Stewartesque anti-political corruption lines.)



In comparing Ada to Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Ada, of course, falls far short; however, it is still an interesting film, with a great message.  The acting is extremely good.  Wilfrid Hyde-White, who I only know as a good guy, is great as the political "heavy."  It was actually kind of hard seeing him in this kind of role.  He is and always will be the kindly Colonel Pickering of My Fair Lady to me.  Dean Martin did a wonderful job in this dramatic role.  Since his character is a guitar-playing, down-to-earth man, the role seemed a great fit for Martin.  He even did a good job with the Southern accent!  And Susan Hayward...wow!  She was terrific!  She had an incredible talent for portraying feisty, determined, hard-boiled women, and she played the part of Ada beautifully.  In fact, it really is her acting which took this film from 3 to 4 stars for me.

The film is not out on DVD, nor does TCM air it very often.  Do keep your eyes peeled for it, though.  I think it's a very good, very relevant film.

Happy viewing!!

Bells Are Ringing (5 stars)

Bells Are Ringing, from 1960, is an adorable musical romantic comedy starring the totally delightful Judy Holliday and Dean Martin.  Directed by Vincente Minnelli, this film, which features the wonderful supporting cast of Jean Stapleton, Eddie Foy, Jr., Fred Clark, Frank Gorshin, and Bernard West, first appeared as a Broadway musical in 1956.  Both Miss Holliday and Miss Stapleton portrayed their same characters in each venue, and for Miss Holliday, her Broadway performance garnered her a Lead Actress Tony Award.

Kind, compassionate Ella Peterson (Judy) works as a phone operator at Susanswerphone, her cousin Sue's (Jean Stapleton) answering service.  Far more than just a job to Ella, her position gives her access to the lives of people she has come to care about.  Though Sue continually warns Ella not to get involved in their clients' lives, lest the service be shut down for law violations, Ella simply can't help herself; she loves people too much to not do everything in her power to make their lives happy.

Ella is especially attached to Jeffrey Moss (Dean Martin), a playboy playwright who is struggling with his latest script.  Wanting to do more than just give and take messages for Mr. Moss, Ella, using an old lady voice, has developed a phone relationship with him. Thinking that his message taker is a motherly old woman, Jeffrey calls Ella "mom" and feels very comfortable sharing his troubles with her.

When Jeffrey's agent leaves a message indicating that he is down to his final chance, Ella wants to encourage him to do the writing she knows is in him.  However, with his phone unplugged and her call not getting through, drastic measures are necessary.  Only a trip to his apartment will work, and when Ella manages to get inside and she sets eyes on her client for the first time, she finds that he is "Better Than a Dream."



As the kindhearted woman encourages him along, Jeffrey writes...and his agent loves it. Before long, Jeffrey has fallen in love with Ella...only thing is, Ella has never told him her true identity, and now, not wanting him to know that she deceived him, she is afraid to do so.

In addition to helping Mr. Moss write his play, Ella has gotten involved in the life of a dentist who aspires to write music (Bernard West) and a down-on-his-luck actor (Frank Gorshin). How those men's dreams entwine with Jeffrey's, all the while two detectives are investigating Susanswerphone as a possible escort service, makes for a very sweet, heartwarming film.




Judy Holliday is, as always, pure delight.  From beginning to end, she is a total joy.  Her character is the kind of person we need more of in this world; she's caring, compassionate, unselfish, friendly, warm, and kind.  I love the way Judy brought Ella to life.  I love her wardrobe too---the blue dress, the pink one, the white, the red...they were all gorgeous, and as I often do, I found myself wondering why women threw away that kind of a wardrobe.  The scene in which she dresses in grubs and dons a Marlon Brando-type voice is quite amusing...one of the funniest in the whole film.  Sadly, Bells Are Ringing would be Judy's final film performance.

Dean Martin is terrific in his role.  I have to admit, when I first saw this film about four years ago, I was lamenting that Frank Sinatra wasn't cast in the part.  As a huge Ol' Blue Eyes fan and a lover of his musicals, I thought he would have been the icing on the cake here in Bells Are Ringing.  However, the more I've seen this film (4 or 5 times now), the more Dean grows on me, and now, I've come to the place of not only thinking he was perfect, but of being interested in listening to more of his music and discovering more of his works.  I really love him here, and when he broke into "Just in Time," I was thrilled.



Nominated for the Best Music Academy Award, Bells Are Ringing features ten lovely songs, and I loved every one of them, which is often not the case (for me) with musicals. Usually, there are two or three songs I don't care for, but here, I loved them all.

Finally, my whole family loves this film.  When I said we were watching a Judy Holliday film for her birthday month, both my kids made the same request..."Bells Are Ringing" please.  While Born Yesterday is my favorite Judy film, this one is definitely my family's favorite...and a 5-star second favorite for me.  Those who enjoy fun, lighthearted musicals, Judy Holliday, or Dean Martin, ought to completely love this.  Out on DVD, this film should be very easy to track down.

Happy viewing!!