The Brilliance of the Ditzy Blonde

Smarter Than The Men Around Her

Born Yesterday (1950) – A businessman who began with nothing is on the verge of a move into the big time.  But he’s worried that his unsophisticated girlfriend might drag him down.  He hires an “expert” to give her a little polish, but it’s not the result that was expected.

Directed by George Cukor

Starring – Judy Holliday, William Holden, Broderick Crawford

Why I Liked It – Judy Holliday is brilliant and gorgeous.  It’s all the men can do to keep up.

 Judy Holliday is a name that you may not know if you’re much younger than I am.  That’s a shame.  The reason is clear, she died of throat cancer at 43.  A star on Broadway and in Hollywood, it’s Holliday that cements the vision of the “ditzy blonde”.  The beautiful woman with not a brain in her head.  What’s amazing is that the actress who perfected that archetype was far beyond the genius level on the I.Q. scale.  She was so perfect in that role, and so associated with it, that she testified in front of the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee.  It was one of several Congressional committees allegedly searching for Communists.  Holliday “played dumb”, the Senators never got the joke, and she was cleared.

What stunned me in “Born Yesterday” is the nuance that she brings to Billie Dawn.  Billie is a beautiful platinum blonde ex-showgirl (who “spoke lines” she points out).  She’s never been asked to think, and her boyfriend/fiance, played with bluff intimidation by Broderick Crawford, reinforces the idea that she’s “dumb”.  The difficulty is that Crawford’s “Harry” is making a move up in the world.  He wants to rub elbows with the power brokers in Washington, D.C.  Billie’s brassy innocence is an obstacle, so Harry hires a freelance reporter (Holden) to polish the rough edges.  What Harry gets is far beyond his imagination.

Even with top quality co-stars, this is Holliday’s movie.  There’s more to Billie than blonde hair, curves and tight dresses.  She’s a real person, with depth and hidden gifts.  The actress plays all of it to perfection and creates an iconic character.  One that would win her an Oscar.  Billie is delightful, surprising, innocent in all the best ways, and a woman who knows what she has, what she wants, and what to do to get it.  When Harry goes a step too far with her, any sympathy I held for Harry (who is as much a “babe in the woods” as Billie.  He just doesn’t realize it) went out the window.  William Holden is one of my favorites from the Golden Age of Hollywood, but he’s background scenery to Holliday’s subtle, brilliant performance.

Another movie that I began with no idea what to expect.  I came away happy to discover another classic movie that was a whole lot of fun.  There’s even a drop of politics that has aged (sadly?) very well.  Great script, great director, great cast and one brilliant leading lady.

Rating – **** Recommended