Ensofter Overrated and overhyped

Sexyloutak Absolutely the worst movie.

Pacionsbo Absolutely Fantastic

Marva It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

mggbikeluvr I only have a few negatives about this film. So, I think I will get those out of the way. The plot is a bit far fetched. It isn't likely that you'll just fall in love with a princess. But they made it work well. The only other negative is the opening credits. As silly as it sounds, it's strange. Ethel Merman's demanding voice shouting, "Call Me Madam!" was a bit surprising. But other than those two minor things, I loved it! Then again, if Irving Berlin wrote the music, it's going to be fantastic. Walter Lang directed it. He also directed "There's No Business Like Show Business", which also has Ethel and Donald O'Connor. This movie is for Ethel and Donald fans, especially. They do a smashing duet together, "You're Just in Love". It is a show-stopper. And you can't watch this movie with out watching Donald's "What Chance Have I With Love?" at least six times. That is one of his most famous dances, behind the electrifying "Make 'Em Laugh" from "Singin' in the Rain". Vera-Ellen does great, too. Her and Donald do two dances together that are very romantic and exciting. They also sing a song together. And in one scene, you can get a glimpse as Vera's neck, which was never shown. Since she had anorexia at the time, it left her neck very wrinkled, thus, she never showed it. This is one of the very rare occasions where it is revealed. Her and Donald make an amazing couple. They were almost paired in "White Chirstmas" together. But Donald got severely ill and was replaced with Danny Kaye. Oh, yes. You also see that not only can Donald dance. He has an enchanting voice! His singing is usually overshadowed by his dancing. But with two whole songs with him just singing without and dancing or comedy, for that matter, you hear his absolutely gorgeous voice! If you don't like musicals, you won't like this. But if you're a musical freak like me, you will fall in love with it.

Alex da Silva Sally Adams (Ethel Merman) is appointed US ambassador to Lichtenburg and takes along Kenneth Gibson (Donald O'Connor) as her Press-attaché. The Lichtenburg Prime Minister (Steven Geray) is keen to get an American loan so that they can proceed with an arranged royal marriage between Princess Maria (Vera-Ellen) and Prince Hugo (Helmut Dantine). However, Sally is under instruction not to provide the loan. She meets General Cosmo (George Sanders) and they fall in love with each other, as do Kenneth and the Princess. After her stay, she returns to the US where there is a final twist in the tale at her home-coming party.This film contains annoying accents. Ethel Merman has a voice that irritates when she speaks, let alone when she sings, and George Sanders and Vera-Ellen affect poor foreign accents throughout the film. George Sanders is also slightly creepy in the oily, slimy sense of the word and Vera-Ellen just naturally looks weird. The songs (ruined by Merman's staged deliveries) aren't that good and neither are the dances. Ethel Merman delivers some funny lines and she is funny to watch in some scenes but overall the film is bland.

MARIO GAUCI As I’ve often said, the Musical is far from my favorite genre – however, whenever I come upon a well-regarded example, I don’t mind all that much checking it out; this was the case not too long ago with THE PAJAMA GAME (1957) and, again, now with this Fox extravaganza.Incidentally, every studio seemed to have its own particular style with respect to this genre – until the heyday of the sprawling filmizations of Broadway successes came along; actually, this one belongs to the latter category but it came at a relatively early stage – so that the treatment accorded it is still very much linked with the studio’s standard formula. Now, the Fox musicals (or what little I’ve seen of them) were among the more garish yet traditional – that is to say, unimaginative – to come out of Hollywood; this one, however, had the distinction of an Irving Berlin score as well as the added treat of a Ruritanian setting (bearing reasonable comparison with the equivalent work of the great Ernst Lubitsch).CALL ME MADAM, then, is best-known for providing brash entertainer Ethel Merman with her most significant role as an American hostess appointed Ambassador to the tiny duchy of Lichtenburg; the actress’ qualities are, perhaps, something of an acquired taste – but there’s no denying that the part fits her like a glove. Still, the talent supporting her is certainly not to be scoffed at: the film, in fact, showcases young leads Donald O’Connor and Vera-Ellen (who dance as well as sing) – he appears as Merman’s press attaché who falls for his pretty but impossibly thin co-star, a princess of the impoverished country promised in a marriage of convenience to Helmut Dantine’s military hero; Merman herself shares an unlikely romance with Foreign Minister George Sanders (the famously world-weary actor even gets to sing – modestly and in a deep, heavily-accented voice – on a couple of occasions!) while, at the same time, being pursued by Finance Minister Walter Slezak.Some of the plot complications/contrivances – involving political intrigue, romantic rivalry, secret trysts, misunderstanding and sacrifice – are so typical as to be wholly predictable, making the film’s not inconsiderable 114-minute duration somewhat long drawn-out (with even a number of the songs being reprised). That said, Berlin’s music and lyrics (and the performers’ rendition of them) are a delight – as is, surprisingly, much of the dancing (one of which occurs in the cellar of the palace[!], but especially O’Connor’s energetic drunken antics in a tavern incorporating a xylophone and a set of balloons a' la Fred Astaire).Incidentally, Merman, O’Connor and director Lang (a regular – albeit impersonal – exponent in the field) would be re-united the next year for THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS (1954), a showbiz musical revolving around a clutch of Berlin hits; for the record, this film is shown ad nauseam on TV (even locally)…but which, given the reservations I mentioned earlier about the Fox style, I’ve never bothered to watch (a situation I perhaps ought to remedy now on the strength of my generally favorable appraisal of CALL ME MADAM itself)!

Nick Zegarac (movieman-200) "Call Me Madame" is a musical that desperately wants you to love it. At times that love is genuine…at other times it seems forced. Ethel Merman stars as "the hostess with the mostest" – Ambassador to Luxemburg (name). She's bold, gregarious, irrepressible, manic, enigmatic and electrifying – in spots. But 2 hours of Ethel is like 20 minutes in a wind tunnel; it's exhausting! Yes, the Irving Berlin score will have you tapping and humming away with pleasure, and, yes, the supporting cast of Vera Ellen, Donald O'Connor and George Sanders are all welcome additions that compliment the divine Ms. Merman. But they are mere appendages to her performance and are given so little to do that without Ethel there really wouldn't be a show. That aside, Merman proves why she was such a powerhouse on the live stage. She's like the female Bert Lahr (the cowardly lion from "The Wizard of Oz" for those who might otherwise not know to whom I am referring). She bounces from one emotion to the next, manically sucking up the atmosphere and expelling all things Merman in its place. Is she intoxicating?Suffocating is a more accurate assessment, but engaging nonetheless. Just make sure you've had your morning coffee first! Okay, make it two! TRANSFER: A respectable transfer from Fox. Full frame, as originally seen, with rich, vibrant Technicolor, solid blacks and excellent contrast levels. Digital anomalies are rare, pixelization being of the greatest concern, for a picture that is overall quite smooth and satisfying, if somewhat softly focused from time to time. Age related artifacts are present throughout but they do not distract from your viewing enjoyment. The audio has been remastered to stereo but remains something of a muffled disappointment, particularly in the songs. EXTRAS: A wonderful audio commentary and precious little else. BOTTOM LINE: Tackle the exuberant Ms. Merman…but only if you dare!