Born Yesterday Overview:

Born Yesterday (1950) was a Comedy - Drama Film directed by George Cukor and produced by S. Sylvan Simon.

SYNOPSIS

Holliday at her best as the unschooled girlfriend of a domineering scrap-iron tycoon who hires egghead Holden to tutor off the rough edges. Guess who falls in love? Based on Garson Kanin's Broadway play. Remade in 1993 with Melanie Griffith.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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Born Yesterday was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2012.

Academy Awards 1950 --- Ceremony Number 23 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActressJudy HollidayWon
Best Costume DesignJean LouisNominated
Best DirectorGeorge CukorNominated
Best PictureColumbiaNominated
Best WritingAlbert MannheimerNominated
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BlogHub Articles:

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER: The Subtle Messages of BORN YESTERDAY (1950)

By Lara on May 19, 2016 From Backlots

A few days ago,?as I spent?a sick afternoon at home, I was pleased to discover the delightful?Born Yesterday?(1950) playing on TCM. This is a movie that has always fascinated me–Judy Holliday’s performance as the dim-witted Billie Dawn won her an Oscar for the Best Actress of 1950, in th... Read full article


Born Yesterday (1949)

By Beatrice on Jun 20, 2015 From Flickers in Time

Born Yesterday Directed by George Cukor Written by Albert Mannheimer from a play by Garson Kanin 1949/USA Columbia Pictures Corporation Repeat viewing/my DVD collection Billie Dawn: DOUBLE NEGATIVE! Right? Think what you will about the line-up for the 1949 Best Actress Oscars. ?It is impossible... Read full article


Born Yesterday (1950) (2)

on May 5, 2014 From Journeys in Classic Film

**This post is written as part of the Romantic Comedy Blogathon hosted by Backlots. ?Be sure to head over after reading and check out the other participants.** The most dangerous thing to?give a person is a book. ?Or in this case the movie Born Yesterday. ?A surface level analysis of George Cukor... Read full article


SUTS Blogathon: Born Yesterday (1950)

By Duke Mantee on Aug 20, 2013 From Spoilers

“For classic movie lovers, TCM?s annual Summer Under the Stars month-long programming event is like Christmas, the Oscars, the Super Bowl, and every Hollywood red carpet gala rolled into one. For 31 days, fans are treated to an embarrassment of cinematic riches ? a collection of films featurin... Read full article


Born Yesterday (1950)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jun 21, 2013 From 4 Star Films

Starring Judy Holliday, William Holden, and Broderick Crawford, this semi-comedy is about a dumb blonde who becomes cultured with the help of a tutor. Billie starts out as the girl of a gruff an who has made a fortune in metal. They are in D.C. together and he is embarrassed because she does not kno... Read full article


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Quotes from

Harry Brock: How d'ya like that! He could've had a hundred grand. She could've had me. Both wind up with nothin'... Dumb chump!... Crazy broad!
Jim Devery: [raises a glass as a toast] To all the dumb chumps and all the crazy broads, past, present, and future, who thirst for knowledge and search for truth... who fight justice and civilize each other... and make it so tough for crooks like you...
[Harry stares at him angrily]
Jim Devery: ...*and* me.


Harry Brock: How d'ya like that?! He could've had a hundred grand. She could've had me. Both wind up with nothin'. Dumb chump! Crazy broad!


Harry Brock: Don't you feel good? You want a aspirin?
Jim Devery: No, no, I'm fine. In fact, considering I've been dead for sixteen years I'm in remarkable health.


read more quotes from Born Yesterday...

Facts about

The part of Billie Dawn was written by Garson Kanin for Jean Arthur. A couple of nights before the play was due to open, Arthur abruptly dropped out and Judy Holliday was drafted in. Arthur was briefly considered for the film version, but turned the part down. A move to loan out Lana Turner from MGM for the role of Billie Dawn was later abandoned.
The Broadway production of "Born Yesterday" opened at the Lyceum Theater on February 4, 1946 and ran for 1642 performances. Judy Holliday reprises her role in the movie.
Garson Kanin wrote that Marilyn Monroe made a screen test for this film in 1948 before signing a two-picture contract. Those who saw it thought it was excellent, but Columbia head Harry Cohn did not take the trouble to walk six steps from his desk to his projection room to watch it.
read more facts about Born Yesterday...
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Best Actress Oscar 1950






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National Film Registry

Born Yesterday

Released 1950
Inducted 2012
(Sound)




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Also directed by George Cukor




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Also produced by S. Sylvan Simon




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