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Judy Holliday picked up the Best Actress Oscar playing a rough-around-the-edges ex-showgirl in Born Yesterday. Broderick Crawford co-stars as her surly boyfriend, a garbage tycoon schmoozing for favor in Congress. He hires a reluctant journalist (William Holden) to help Holliday fit in with Washington DC’s high society, never suspecting that the two would fall in love — or that Holliday would become wise to his illegal scheming.
Born Yesterday’s romance is a variation on Pygmalion/My Fair Lady. While it never reaches the dramatic highs or lows of that story, Holliday and Holden are certainly charming enough to have us rooting for them. Holliday’s performance is a quirky one, delivered in a high, squeaky, slurred voice that feels like schtick at first, but after a while you can see she’s doing some genuine acting through those funny mannerisms. Some of the best moments come when Crawford provokes an occasional loud, guttural response from Holliday. And Crawford isn’t just a one-dimensional baddie here, either. Even though he’s the ultimate villain of the piece, playwright Garson Kanin (Adam’s Rib, Pat and Mike) makes sure we know he’s fond of the dame — in his own, twisted way. William Holden gets the short end of the stick with the least-flashy or memorable role, but he’s more than serviceable.
Director George Cukor (The Philadelphia Story, Gaslight) lends the film his usual polish. Most of the film takes place in a suite of swanky hotel rooms, but Cukor makes the most of exterior opportunities, including many Washington DC historical landmarks whenever Holden takes Holliday out on the town. Although the film never escapes the trappings of its stage play roots, it’s well paced. Even deliberately slow moments, like when Holliday and Crawford play gin rummy for a few minutes without saying a word to each other, have a way of revealing character. But the main reasons to see Born Yesterday are for Holliday’s unusual performance as the ditsy blonde who gets her vindication, and some of Garson Kanin’s witty dialogue exchanges.
With Howard St. John, Frank Otto, and Larry Oliver.
Academy Award: Best Actress (Judy Holliday)
Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Director (George Cukor), Best Screenplay (Albert Mannheimer), Best Black & White Costume Design (Jean Louis)