Rating: 
Summary: Judy Holliday was a priceless Gem.
Review: ...The Bells are Ringing is one of those "Gem" musicals that is witty, bouncy, full of energy, wonderful music, romance and laughs...I would love to see the Wide Screen version.
Rating: 
Summary: Judy Holliday's last movie
Review:
Director: Vincente Minnelli
Format: Color
Studio: Turner Home Video
Video Release Date: January 30, 1991
Cast: Judy Holliday ... Ella Peterson ('Melisande Scott')
Dean Martin ... Jeffrey Moss
Fred Clark ... Larry Hastings
Eddie Foy Jr. ... J. Otto Prantz
Jean Stapleton ... Sue
Ruth Storey ... Gwynne
Dort Clark ... Insp. Barnes
Frank Gorshin ... Blake Barton
Ralph Roberts ... Francis
Valerie Allen ... Olga
Bernard West ... Dr. Joe Kitchell, DDS
Steven Peck ... Delivery Boy
Gerry Mulligan ... Ella's blind date
Paul Frees ... Several voices in 'Drop That Name'
Joe Gray ... Bartender
John Hart
Stuart Holmes ... Man in park
Roy Jenson ... Cop
Gil Lamb ... Man at party
Hal Linden ... Singer of 'The Midas Touch'
Titus Moede ... Beatnik
Milton Parsons ... Pedestrian next to Barney Lampwick
Frank Richards ... Pedestrian greeting Barney
Steve Stevens
Oliver Blake ... Ludwig Smiley
Herb Vigran ... Barney Lampwick
Nesdon Booth
Nancy Walters ... Bit part Ella Peterson (Judy Holliday) works for Susansweringservice as a telephone operator, and is attracted by a client's voice: Jeffrey Moss (Dean Martin). She is sure she will never meet him, and masquerades as a 63-year-old whom he calls "Mom". He is a playwright who is in a slump, and she pumps up his confidence. She also knows other people--a dentis/songwriter, and actor, and others who are helpful to Moss's career. A vice cop who is hung up on answering services, Insp. Barnes (Dort Clark) in the meantime threatens the answering service with detention if he catches them having outside contact with their clients. This is a fun musical, which I enjoyed. It was Judy Holidays last. She was concerned about her singing, dancing, and her health when she made it. Her singing and dancing were fine, but she was right to be concerned about her health. She died soon after, at the age of 43. She made a total of 13 movies. Joseph (Joe) Pierre
author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books
Rating: 
Summary: Average Musical Movie. Bland and Dull At Times.
Review: Bells Are Ringing is the 1960 movie version of the musical of the same name. It's the story of Ella Peterson, a telephone operator who poses as another person, to help one of her clients. But instead of helping him, she falls for him, and ultimatly falls in love with him. This is a true example of how Broadway musicals should stay as musicals. The movie in general is good, but Holliday's performance can be bland at times, and Martin's portrayal of Jeffrey Moss is over-done and unrealistic. In general, it's a time-killer, and nothing more then that.
Rating:
Summary: A delightful interlude.
Review: Having just seen this film yesterday, I was again charmed by the talented Judy Holliday in what was a cute story about a woman who works for an answering service and falls in love with a voice. That voice belongs to Dean Martin who does a good job playing against Holliday's idiosyncratic character.
While there are a few weak spots in the picture, the musical score and the engaging performances more than make up for it. The score is singable, if that's a word, and includes two big hits from the past, "Just in Time" and "The Party's Over." In reading the other reviews posted here, I noticed they were all written by men, only one of whom liked the film. Is there a difference between the way men and women see a film? That would certainly seem to be the case here. I've always enjoyed this film and don't hesitate to recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A delightful interlude.
Review: Having just seen this film yesterday, I was again charmed by the talented Judy Holliday in what was a cute story about a woman who works for an answering service and falls in love with a voice. That voice belongs to Dean Martin who does a good job playing against Holliday's idiosyncratic character. While there are a few weak spots in the picture, the musical score and the engaging performances more than make up for it. The score is singable, if that's a word, and includes two big hits from the past, "Just in Time" and "The Party's Over." In reading the other reviews posted here, I noticed they were all written by men, only one of whom liked the film. Is there a difference between the way men and women see a film? That would certainly seem to be the case here. I've always enjoyed this film and don't hesitate to recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: that oooold Hollywood feeling
Review: I saw this film in 1982 and never got over it... I finally saw it two weeks ago and I cried my heart out; the music, Judy, Dean, the glamour... the fact that this was Freed`s last musical...
Indeed it IS a like a filmed stageplay, but if u r in the mood for good old Hollywood - do buy this film:-)))) Minnelli didn`t shoot Judy in closeups - no wonder... she playes Ella as it was on stage... Arthur Freed gave Judy`s boyfriend, musician Gerry Mulligan the role of a blind-date in order to please her...
Judy was not in good spirits during the shooting. She loathed the script and asked Freed to replace her and NOT pay her... He didn`t... knowing the world wanted to see Judy playing her Tony-award(1957)-winning performance on celluloid. She was suffering from nervous exhaustion... Indeed when she leaves the reastaurant and her dress is caught on fire; resulted in her having her legs burned for real...She became tired and suffered from early symptoms of the breast-cancer that eventually took her... When she died; it was called throat-cancer - breastcancer was taboo i 1965.
Do join in and look at a film, JUDY HOLLIDAY in her last screen role, concerning an era that was... hilarious indeed - I mean - "an answering service"????? hehehe
Rating:
Summary: Almost good, charming
Review: I saw this of course in the theater and on VHS, but am desperately awaiting the DVD. I want it. I saw it as a kid when it came out, fell immediately in love with Judy Holliday (Plaza O Double 4 Double 3!!! That's the tune I always remembered) and have loved this show ever since. Of course, the movie is nothing compared to the Bway show. Frank Gorshin does NOT impersonate Brando (that was Bway), one song was added, two (including the nightclub number which was inexplicable, completely out of sync with the plot) rewritten (Martin's "Do It Yourself" was a great improvement I thought, and the only improvement), and the Susanswerphone commercial at the beginning was "improved." Also (Hollywood!) the score was decimated, much of it Holliday's. The reviewer from Australia clearly did not see the movie I did (or saw it with his eyes closed), it was never a great show (Comden & Green are not my favorite playwrights though their lyrics in later years got clever, Styne on the other hand is just a peg below Rodgers tunewise usually), but the movie is charming, tuneful, happy, interesting, well-done, very clever, and it has Holliday and (though I'm a Dean Martin lover to the bitter end, I prefer Chaplin) a very relaxed and at home and musical Dean Martin. One new song (a duet) is just as good as the song (also a duet) it replaced, now there are two good songs to listen to, but why leave out all the others? I loved it, but alas could only give it 4 stars and say it was almost good, not almost wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: Plaza 0-4433
Review: Judy Holliday originated the role of Ella Petersen, the Susanwersphone switchboard operator, in Vincente Minnelli's adaptation of the Broadway musical, with music by Jules Styne and book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Although filmed in 1960, this musical belongs to the conventions of the 1950's with a brassy orchestration, superfluous supporting cast for comic relief, and a Brando impersonator. That Holliday remains as the best thing about it, in spite of Minnelli's less flattering treatment of her than George Cukor, is a tribute to her gifts as an actress, in particular a Broadway performer with the subtlety to adapt for film acting. Holliday's two solo numbers - It's a Perfect Relationship and I'm Going Back - are triumphs of personal charm, in spite of the director. Minnelli has trouble de-staging the switchboard environment and the film only comes to life after Holliday leaves it to meet Dean Martin, as her favourite client, in person. In the Better than a Dream number, where both Holliday and Martin sing oblivious to the other's reality, this is Minnelli finally presenting a musical sequence cinematically. This pattern continues with Martin's funny I Met a Girl, sung as he battles street crowds. Minnelli treats Holliday's plaintive ballad The Party's Over simply, if disappointedly in long and medium shot presumably since he thinks Holliday's voice doesn't deserve a closeup, in contrast to the botched Just in Time, the score's most lovely song, wretchedly staged. The Drop That Name number is probably more about Minnelli than Holliday, since he scores points off her, comparing her perceived frumpiness to the vacuous stereotypical 1950's society vamp. Holliday and Martin play off each other well, overcoming the oddness of their union. Martin actually looks not at his best, which undermines the romantic appeal, and his solo reveals he shouldn't be given one. It's hard not to consider his character's fear of success without his partner and not have thoughts of Jerry Lewis, though believing Martin as a playwright is trouble enough. Thankfully there's Holliday. Far more likeable and individual than say a Doris Day, Minnelli's having her lower her head for pathos is the lowest appreciation of her potential. This wasn't considered a great musical to begin with, and the film is pretty hard to take whenever the supporting players take over, with excruciating bits featuring Eddie Foy and The Titanic record company, vice squad surveillance, and the mafia, however the songwriting dentist gave me a few chuckles.
Rating:
Summary: Judy Holliday, beauty, brilliance - underappreciated
Review: Judy Holliday was such a beautiful, brilliant actress, it pains me that there is not a dvd collection of her work. She seems to be so underappreciated! Her films are gems! This is not her best film, but it's still a wonderful film. She shines, as usual. I just can't understand why she has yet to receive the appreciation she so deserves! A Judy Holliday DVD collection, Please!...
Rating:
Summary: Judy Holliday Is a Gem in a Historic Musical
Review: The Jules Styne musical is dated, as the whole concept of an answering service would no longer be relevant in the new millenium. The appeal of the story, therefore, is limited to audiences who remember the years when answering services were a way of life. Just as the story is somewhat dated, so is the production by today's standards; a more modern production would certainly be a lot livelier, as at times, the action seems to be rather dull. Judy Holliday remains the redeeming feature in the film throughout. Her talent and charm carry the film and make it enjoyable. In the role of Ella Peterson, she is the girl that everyone loves. All the wonders that happen in the movie happen because of her, and she carries it off wonderfully.
The legend has it that Judy Holliday had reservations about having Dean Martin play the part of Jeffrey Moss in the film because she wasn't convinced he could handle the role. There is no evidence that he could not do it in the film, but she definitely overshines his performance. None of the other members of the cast, including veteran actor Eddie Foy Jr., give performances that are particularly memorable. It is Judy Holliday's show throughout, and she makes the most of it. The musical numbers are enjoyable. Unfortunately, no DVD version of the film is yet available.
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