Born Yesterday

John Chard

2014-06-28

⭐ 8

Possibly the most endearing "dumb blonde" ever? Judy Holliday rightly won the best actress Oscar for her portrayal of dumb blonde kept woman Billie Dawn, a role she successfully played on Broadway in the stage show production. Yet to only mention her would be doing a disservice to the films other strengths as it has many to justify it being labelled a classic of its time. Billie Dawn is the girlfriend of scrap metal magnate Harry Brock, she's not that bright and Brock uses her as a front for some less than honest dealings. Sure he cares but his treatment of her borders on the repulsive w…

Nutshell

2019-07-16

⭐ 10

Intelligent script and a very funny movie, a true classic with a perfect cast. Judy Holliday steals the show, and both Crawford and Holden are at the top of their game. You will not be disappointed!

Born Yesterday’s philosophy – a fusion of Greek myth and allegory; specifically, Pygmalion (by way of Shaw) and Plato’s Cave – is not only timeless but timely. At one point, William Holden’s character says “I want everybody to be smart. I want 'em to be as smart as they can be. A world full of ignorant people is too dangerous to live in.” This is as true now as it was more than 70 years ago – perhaps truer; as recent events, such as the covid pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have made abundantly clear, the world is still a very dangerous place full of ignorant people. This film…