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This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Judy Holliday gives a knockout, career performance as the initially dim-witted ex-showgirl Billie Dawn, earning herself the Best Actress Oscar on her only nomination. Broderick Crawford plays her rough and tough self-made businessman boyfriend Harry Brock who hires newspaperman Paul Verrall, played by William Holden, to teach his "dumb broad" how to act in society so as not to embarrass him in public.Unfortunately for Brock, Billie learns more than he bargained for from the handsome Paul. Against the backdrop of Washington, D.C., where Brock has come to bribe a few congressmen, Billie learns not only how to beat him at gin, but also what kind of man she's got. The kinder, more sensitive Paul naturally looks a lot better.Directed by George Cukor, who earned his fourth unrewarded Best Director Oscar (he would win for My Fair Lady (1964) on his fifth and last nomination), with a screenplay by Albert Mannheimer, who earned his only Academy recognition with a nomination for his Screenplay, adapted from Garson Kanin's play. The film received a nomination for Best Picture as did its B&W Costume Design. #24 on AFI's 100 Funniest Movies list. Added to the National Film Registry in 2012.Remade in 1993 with Melanie Griffith, John Goodman, and Don Johnson.

It's a long time since I reviewed Born Yesterday. This time through, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's not just a message movie! It's actually thoroughly entertaining from go to almost last. I would have preferred a less obvious conclusion and a little less righteousness, but I seem to be in a minority of one. But I agree with everyone else about Judy Holiday. I thought Judy was absolutely wonderful. Bill Holden and Brod Crawford were also ideally cast, and even Howard St. John (pronounced "Sinjin") likewise delivered his lines with just the right touch. But it's Holiday's movie. Notwithstanding the fact that she played the role on Broadway no less than 1,642 times, she gives a fresh, vigorous and – dare I say it – enchanting performance! She is brilliant and thoroughly deserved all her multiple awards for Best Actress. This movie is available on an excellent Columbia DVD.

George Cukor directed this comedy that stars Judy Holliday(Academy Award winner for best actress) as Billie Dawn, trophy wife of junkyard king(and millionaire) Harry Brock(played by Broderick Crawford) who has arrived in Washington D.C. in order to buy himself some political influence in order to increase his wealth and power. He is concerned about his "uncouth" wife, so hires a newspaper reporter(played by William Holden) to educate her. He succeeds, but discovers that she isn't as dumb as Harry thinks, and that not only does she disapprove of Harry's crooked ways, but that a romance has started between pupil and student... Funny comedy with good performances by the star trio, and witty script. Obvious to a point, and a little of Judy's accent goes a long way, but otherwise a memorable comedy.

George Cukor's "Born Yesterday" was based on the successful Broadway play of the same name. Reprising her role from the Broadway production, Judy Holliday played Billie Dawn, former nightclub singer and current mistress of crooked junkyard tycoon Harry Brock (Broderick Crawford). Brock hires journalist Paul Verall (William Holden) to make Billie presentable to Washington, D.C. society but, before long, he decides that Billie's getting too smart for her own good (or, rather, his good).The cast is unquestionably the film's biggest asset. Judy Holliday took home a well-deserved Oscar for her excellent performance as the dim but sweet Billie. Meanwhile, Broderick Crawford gave a performance that's arguably as good as his Oscar-winning performance of a year earlier in "All the King's Men". Rounding out the leads was William Holden, who was solid, if not as impressive as his co-stars.The screenplay snagged an Oscar nomination but I found myself less impressed than Academy voters. In particular, I felt that the comedic & romantic elements of the story were overshadowed by the drama surrounding Brock's shady dealings. To me, this was the least interesting aspect of the story, perhaps because it led to some tedious moralizing.On the technical front, the movie showcased first-class production values. George Cukor earned his fourth Oscar nomination for his efforts and Frederick Hollander's score was above average. The Jean Louis costumes also garnered an Oscar nomination.Ultimately, though, I felt that the movie took itself too seriously to completely click as a comedy. That being said, it still managed to get by on the strength of its performances. Thus, I'd recommend it as long as you're not expecting a breezy affair.