Director: Walter Lang

Writer: Arthur Sheekman

From a play by: Russel Crouse; Howard Lindsay

Keywords: Musical Comedy

Washington socialite Sally Adams becomes U.S. Ambassador to the Duchy of Lichtenberg. Modeled after Pearl Mesta, who was Ambassador to Luxembourg during the Truman Administration. Delightful entertainment. Regretfully, the film industry offered Ethel Merman few chances to display her gifted talents. Won Oscar for Best Score of a Musical; received an additional nomination for Best Costume Design.

Name	Occupation	Birth	Death	Known for
Helmut Dantine	Actor	7-Oct-1917	2-May-1982	Edge of Darkness
Billy De Wolfe	Actor	18-Feb-1907	5-Mar-1974	The Doris Day Show
Charles Dingle	Actor	28-Dec-1887	19-Jan-1956	The Little Foxes
Percy Helton	Actor	31-Jan-1894	11-Sep-1971	Character actor
Ethel Merman	Singer	16-Jan-1908	15-Feb-1984	There's No Business Like Show Business
Donald O'Connor	Actor	28-Aug-1925	27-Sep-2003	Singin' in the Rain
George Sanders	Actor	3-Jul-1906	25-Apr-1972	The Saint Strikes Back
Lilia Skala	Actor	28-Nov-1896	18-Dec-1994	Lilies of the Field
Walter Slezak	Actor	3-May-1902	21-Apr-1983	Hitchcock's Lifeboat
Vera-Ellen	Dancer	16-Feb-1921	30-Aug-1981	On the Town

REVIEWS

Review by Michael Sullivan (posted on 18-Apr-2007)

Noted for her brash vocal quality, Ethel Merman manages to wax romantic as she sings "The best thing for you (would be me.) As Sally Adams, Merman is totally captivating in the role of a a rich widowed woman holding the post of U.S. Ambassador to the fictional country of Lichtenberg. She sets sail for the country after signing Donald O'Connor as her press attache. Unschooled in the ways of diplomacy, Merman, with the help of sneaky Billy DeWolf, the charge-d-fair, barely manages to get through the formalities of European introductions and in one scene, falls on her rump while attempting a curtsy before the beleagured head of the country. The underlying plot involves Lichtenberg's attempt to get an infamous U.S. loan, through Merman's influence, to tide the country over. Vera Ellen, a princess, dances with and falls for O'Connor, which creates problems for the monarchy because Vera-Ellen was to marry a handsome but obnoxious prince to seal a deal to bring money into Lichtenberg's dwindling treasury. Merman runs afoul of George Sanders, her love interest, when he learns she has been pushing for the U.S. loan. Sanders, head of foreign affairs of the country, wanted Lichtenberg to get out of its fiscal problems via reforms -- not loans. It all works out, as Vera-Ellen gives up the throne to marry O'Connor, and Sanders hooks up with Merman in the finale. There are some exceptional dance numbers with O'Connor and Vera-Ellen, some great "shtick" involving Merman and a great Irving Berlin tune, "I hear singing" (but there's no one there." Vera Ellen never again would look as alluring as she did in this film. Merman was feisty but loveable, and O'Connor did some dazzling dances including a solo, "What Chance Have I (an ordinary guy)with love." The film is especially memorable for Merman's supposed phone calls to "Harry," filling in President Truman on the happenings as ambassador. The calls are staged, of course, and we never get to see Truman. No matter. It was and is a great flick.

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