Rating: 
Summary: CALL HER THUNDEROUS AND OVER-POWERING!
Review: "Call Me Madam" 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." 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!
Rating: 
Summary: very good musical
Review: "Call Me Madame," is a beautiful and colorful musical. Ethel Merman is great and sings out some lovely songs.. Also Vera-Ellen is lovely in it and does a great dance number with Donald O'Connor," it's really good and well worth seeing. George Sanders is great in it and he and Ethel Merman make a nice couple. It's a musical that is really a fast for the eyes. So many beautiful costumes and scenery. The made it look a lot like the German towns and villages were the story takes place mostly. With all the great costumes, music and actors, you can't go wrong. It's a real beautiful musical and a great escape musical too.
Rating:
Summary: The brassiest and just about the best!
Review: A huge hit on the Broadway stage, "Call Me Madam" was brought to the screen with Ethel Merman allowed to recreate her role of Sally Adams, legendary Washington hostess, named as American Ambassador to a fictional European duchy. The Irving Berlin score is endlessly melodic and listenable and performed with panache by the leads (Vera-Ellen's songs are dubbed by a well-matched voice double), including George Sanders revealing a surprisingly lyrical bass-baritone. Donald O'Connor and Vera-Ellen deliver with some of the best dance duets since Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire's halcyon days at RKO, and both get a chance to shine in solo dance numbers, including a spectacular "Orcarina" production extravaganza with Vera and a fantastically well-rehearsed chorus of colorfully costumed dancers.Twentieth lavished class "A" production values on this delight and Alfred Newman's Oscar for Best Adapted Musical Score was eminently well-deserved. What a pleasure to welcome this back from its long exile in the vaults of favorite movie musical memories!
Rating:
Summary: Ethel Merman's only film version of one of her stage hits!
Review: After too many years locked away in the vaults, the movie version of CALL ME MADAM is finally getting released on DVD. This is the only time Ethel Merman did a faithful screen re-creation of one of her famous Broadway roles. Sadly she was passed over for the film of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN when the role was assigned to first to Judy Garland, then to Betty Hutton. And her greatest stage role, Madame Rose, went To Rosalind Russell in the movie of GYPSY. In an interview with Miss Merman she explained "the studios, in those days, they wanted picture names..but when they got to CALL ME MADAM I guess they figured they'd take a chance on me." Some chance. MADAM had played 644 performances on Broadway and had been acclaimed a big hit. The story, a lightly satirical look at international politics was inspired by Harry Truman's appointment of Pearl Mesta as Ambassador to Luxembourg. It was rumoured that Pearl got the assignment by being a great party-giver. So, Howard Lindsay & Russell Crouse created Mrs. Sally Adams, a wealthy Oklahoma widow who gravitates to Washington and thanks to her parties is appointed ambassador to Lichtenburg. The movie retains much of what worked on stage but embellishes it with some additional funny scenes. Best of all most of the Broadway score is retained: "The Hostess With the Mostes'"; "Can You Use Any Money Today"; "Marrying for Love"; "It's a Lovely Day Today"; "Something to Dance About"; "The Best Thing for You" and the showstopping "You're Just in Love." Added to the movie are two old Berlin standards, "The International Rag" and "What Chance Have I with Love" which becomes a hilarious dance routine for Donald O'Connor. O'Connor also gets to dance to "Something to Dance About" with Vera Ellen. Since the two secondary leads were played by dancers, the movie allows them to develop their romance through dance and its an effective change. It also takes some of the emphasis off Merman. Ethel is still very much the star of the picture. Belting out the songs and delivering the comic zingers with panache. It is still a very theatrical performance....you still have the sense she is playing to the back row of the balcony. But that is was Merman was all about, and that is why the film is an important document. Some of her best lines: Congressman: When will you arrive at your post?
Sally: I'm not sure. Where the heck is Lichtenburg?? Congressman: Sally, you wouldn't like me to make a little farewell speech tonight?
Sally: That's right. I WOULDN'T! Grand Duke: Tell me - How does this reception differ from your famous Washington parties?
Sally: Well WE have good time! And in the best musical comdy tradition, everything works out in time for a happy ending. Now that CALL ME MADAM is finally getting back into circulation we have a happy ending too! (Now..if only Decca would reissue the movie soundtrack album!)
Rating: 
Summary: What has happened to the colour?
Review: After waiting so long for this title to get a DVD or Video release, I was amazed to see that the original 3 strip technicolor has not been re-mastered for the DVD release. There seems to be a lack of yellow and all the cast have pink faces instead of flesh tones. As the film has recently played on cable television here in a near perfect color corrected version, I cannot understand why Fox have not taken more care in their DVD transfer. All the extras including trailers have this sub-standard look. Apart from this point, it is still a great film and a must for devotees of top Hollywood musicals if you haven't seen it.
Rating:
Summary: Call Me Madam a magnificent film
Review: At last Call Me Madam has been released on DVD and the world can see Ethel Merman in all her glory. The storyline is a little shallow and younger viewers won't understand the references to politicians in the early 1950's, but the music is unforgettable. This movie is truly a treasure.
Rating: 
Summary: Powerhouse Merman, Great O'Connor, Pleasant Movie
Review: Call Me Madam is corny but good hearted. Merman is like a battleship; she just plows straight ahead and you'd better get out of her way. Donald O'Connor comes off best. I think he was a better dancer than Gene Kelly with a lot more charm, but he didn't seem to have Kelly's drive and ambition. Watch the numbers they do together in Singin' in the Rain, especially the vaudeville dance act, Fit as a Fiddle. O'Connor is just as proficient as Kelly, but he looks relaxed and as if he's having a great time. Kelly looks like he has his grin stapled on his face.
Call Me Madam benefits by giving us this great recording of what a full-stops performer Ethel Merman was. There's not much oxygen for anyone around her, but then there's not much point to this show except Merman. Vera Ellen was a great dance technician but, for me, not a very natural or warm personality. O'Connor does a fine job of loosening her up. He also manages, as few did, to stand his ground with Merman. Their contrapuntal duet, "You're Just In Love," is a good example of two pros working together and appearing to enjoy it. George Sanders gets by with good-natured suavity and a nice baritone. He can play a cad so effortlessly, one wonders if he could have handled more sympathetic roles in his career if he'd been willing to fight for them.
This is a very pleasant movie to watch a few times. But I'd glady toss it on the Hollywood heap if Merman had been given Gypsy.
Rating:
Summary: A good movie of the Broadway musical
Review: Call Me Madam was a good musical, although (by the standards of the mid-twentieth century) not an outstanding one. This DVD presents it very well. Since many of the jokes may not be understood unless the viewer has some knowledge post World War II period in which it is set, some viewers may not appreciate them. However, the Irving Berlin music & lyrics are enjoyable even if you don't understand the jokes. Video & audio quality is very good.
Rating:
Summary: LOvED IT
Review: I am SO happy that it is on DVD! I can't wait to get it! This is one of my personal favourite musicals of all time. There is SO many GREAT songs in this musical! I loved the performances of everyone in it! It's quite rare to have SUCH a perfect cast.. I'm sure you'd all agree when I say that I wouldn't change ANY one cast member. Although Ethel (God Bless good old Ethel); is the 'main character', Donald O'Conner has probably got the best songs! So he has probably got the best role, although billed second. One of my favourite scenes is the dance that Vera-Ellen and Donald O'conner do (she wears the most BEAUTIFUL dress!!!) It is a stunning number. Vera-Ellen is just gorgeous. Another memorable moment is when Ethel's character (Mrs Sally Adams) is presented to 'his highness' at a ball. She walks perfectly to his throne and goes to bow.. then she falls over. It's the most hilarious thing I've ever seen. If you are thinking of getting this DVD but arent quite sure, just GET IT! It's a beautiful musical. Don't want to ruin the movie for anyone who hasnt seen it but, I assuse you, you won't be dissapointed! A great family film with lots of comedy, romance and som of the greatest songs of our time!
Rating:
Summary: To Answer the Format Quesation
Review: I had been looking forward with anticipation for the release of CALL ME MADAM and now it is here. Like many fans of this movie we may wounder why this DVD is in Full Screen Format. Well some investagating on my part found the answer. While Cinamascope was the widescreen format of choice for 20th Centry Fox the stdio that made CALL ME MADAM. it was for some reasion Not shot in WIDESCREEN, in fact it is the last NON-Cinamascope Musical made by FOX n the 50's. The year folling the release of Call Me Madam the studio Released There's No Business Like Show Business, also staring Ms Merman and that was in WideScreen photographed by the same cinamatographer. But we have this new DVD. It is a good time and is fun and full of energy. And it is one of only two roles Merman had played on Broadway that she was given the opportunity to Play on the screen, the other film is ANYTHING GOES made in the 30's. So if you are a fan then you will want to get this DVD.
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