Bells Are Ringing
It's a ring-a-ding-ding time for a spring break, as May nears and warm weather abounds.
Planning a stay vacay or mini holiday? Instead, perhaps let Judy Holliday entertain you!
Judy Holliday and Dean Martin star in the delightful rom-com musical motion picture, Bells Are Ringing, just in time to welcome in your spring awakening!
Bells Are Ringing was the final production in a series of musicals produced as part of the great MGM "Freed Unit", led by Arthur Freed, best known as the man behind a treasure trove of successful films including Easter Parade; On The Town; and Singin' in the Rain.
While critics of Bells Are Ringing have noted that the plot is entertaining albeit silly, others have praised Vincente Minnelli's graceful direction and colorful cinematography (nominated for Best Director, Directors Guild of America), Judy's spirited performance, Dean's smooth demeanor and chemistry with Judy, revealing all solid reasons to rediscover this fun flick.
Bells Are Ringing first premiered on Broadway (1956), becoming a long-running successful hit show based on the book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, with music by Jule Styne. Soon after the triumphant run, Ms. Holliday would recreate her charming Tony Award-winning stage role for the silver screen version.
Without revealing too many cinematic plot details, the story revolves around Ella Peterson (Judy Holliday), a good-natured, heart-of-gold, lovestruck switchboard operator, who works for an answering service headed by Ella's cousin Sue (Jean Stapleton). Jeffrey Moss (Dean Martin), is a subscriber of the answering service, and a struggling playwright with writer's block whose recent writing partner abandoned him.
Ella appears to be a warm-hearted busybody who tends to get involved in the personal lives of the various folks she connects with at the call service. In her zeal to provide advice and comfort, she develops a crush on Jeffrey, attracted to his alluring voice and phone manner while sympathizing with his writing dilemmas. A romantic adventure ensues when Ella shows up at Jeffrey's residence, to offer encouragement after he experiences a setback in his career. At this first meeting, Jeffrey is quite unaware it is Ella. He only knows her as a motherly voice on their calls, as she never reveals her true identity and assumes a fake name when they meet. Soon Jeffrey realizes she is his muse, and the romance blossoms.
A few madcap subplots intertwine, beginning with police wondering if the answering service is a front for an escort service! Adding to the mayhem, a 'ring' of quirky supporting cast members appear. Seasoned Broadway veteran, Eddie Foy, Jr., as J. Otto Prantz, a scheming bookie (as Sue's boyfriend) and trickster who uses the service to take bets over the phone; Impressionist Frank Gorshin as Blake Barton, an unemployed aspiring actor mimicking Marlon Brando; Bernie West as Dr. Kitchell, a frustrated Dentist with songwriter aspirations; and Jazz musician Gerry Mulligan, as Ella's blind date (in reality, Mulligan was Holliday's actual boyfriend), all contributing as the plot thickens!
With light-footed choreography and zippy music throughout, Bells Are Ringing hits all the right notes. Music by Jule Styne (nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Soundtrack Album), supervised and conducted by Andre Previn who provides lush orchestrations (nominated for an Academy Award for Best Music Scoring of a Musical Picture), and lyrics by the legendary team of Betty Comden and Adolph Green (Winners of the Writers Guild of America Award for Best American Musical.)
The song lyrics of It's a Perfect Relationship, "Plaza O, Double 4, Double 3. What a perfect relationship. I can't see him. He can't see me.", sung by Judy/Ella, sets up the storyline about her and Dean/ Jeffrey, quite nicely.
The movie soundtrack charms with pleasing tunes, featuring two classic standards, Just in Time, sweetly performed by Judy Holliday and Dean Martin, and The Party's Over, a tender solo by Judy.
Quite bittersweet, as this was the final film by the always engaging and charismatic Judy Holliday, who sadly succumbed to cancer shortly after this film, and passed away at the age of 43. Although her career path was limited, she did appear in other films which showcased her enumerable talents, such as Born Yesterday, earning her an Oscar for Best Actress.
Dean Martin's dramatic movie career emerged in 1958 when he starred alongside his longtime pal, Frank Sinatra, in the notable feature film, Some Came Running. It was Dean's first time working with director Vincente Minnelli, and critics praised his impressive performance. Dean continued to reveal his natural acting chops, whether musical, comedic, or serious roles in: The Young Lions; Rio Bravo; Oceans Eleven; Four for Texas; Robin and the 7 Hoods; Airport; and many more, including his portrayal of the popular super spy character, Matt Helm, in a series that spoofed James Bond. And let's not forget his many appearances in the 16 movies with Jerry Lewis, his comedy partner for a decade (1946-1956).
Dana Polan, the Martin Scorsese Professor of Cinema Studies at New York University, shares his insights about Bells are Ringing:
"It plays on a tension between authenticity (being true to yourself and your philosophy of life) and disguise or duplicity — putting on a front. Whether a dentist (not particularly good at his job, he admits) who would rather be a songwriter; a Method actor who is just an impersonation of one, not really one. (Important that Frank Gorshin plays him since Gorshin makes a career of not being himself but imitating roles.) Ella tells him he's a walking cliche, a glut on the market; or a bookie operation that disguises itself as a record company; and even Ella herself pretends to be other people — from "Mom" to Melisande to all the other voices she takes up on the telephone.
I think this goes along with a theatrical side to the film. Here, I don't simply mean that it's based on a Broadway play but rather it's often about people performing and getting into their roles. The scene where they dance outside suddenly has an audience who applauds them as if they are a theater performance. Barnes at the end calls each phone number to come down and be presented and that feels like a curtain call. The film is often very self-aware of its own artifice.
(And the outside where they dance doesn't look like real NY but a set. The opening credits show us real footage of NY but then the film moves onto sets and the unreality of studio performance).
The lesson is to be yourself. Ella, for instance, has an authentic faith in humanity (as in the great scene where she starts saying Hello to everyone). The dentist and Barton have to follow their authentic purpose in life. Cast off your masks and be yourself."
Regarding Dean's authenticity and acting ability, Professor Polan added:
"Dean is an actor where we can't always know what is his authentic self. (Like the common question of whether he is really drunk or just playing at being drunk.) He rarely went deep into a role and plays characters on the surface (we don't learn a lot that's deep about Jeffrey Moss, for instance).
One paradox is that in some films Dean was great (Rio Bravo) but without really trying. Nick Tosches (author of Dino: Living High in the Dirty Business of Dreams) confirms that Dean rarely prepared for his roles and didn't like rehearsals, but when the director would call action, he would suddenly deliver."
Dean did deliver, as did Judy, in this light-hearted entertaining film, which is poised to poised to celebrate its 65th anniversary (released on June 29, 1960), sharing the same year that The Dean Martin Association established its exclusive relationship with Dean and his loyal fans. A Happy 65th Anniversary to both!
Take a holiday! and watch Bells Are Ringing, as sweet memories are made of this!