Search - Call Me Madam on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Suitable for Children Movie Release: 1953 DVD Release: 04/20/2004 Format: DVD - Closed Captioned Edition: Dual Layered Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 54 mins Studio: 20th Century Fox Members Wishing: 4 Genres: Comedy, Musical, Musical Romance

Ethel Merman reprised her role as a socialite turned diplomat in this screen adaptation of Irving Berlin's hit Broadway musical. Sally Adams (Merman) has made it her business to know everyone worth knowing in Washington D.C., and her penchant for parties pays off when she's appointed United States Ambassador to Lichtenburg. Once she is installed in her new position, she falls in love with suave Foreign Minister Cosmo Constantine (George Sanders), while Princess Maria (Vera-Ellen) has her head turned by Sally's press attaché, Kenneth (Donand O'Connor). Call Me Madam is a showcase for Merman's roof-raising musical comedy style, and here she gets to sing a handful of Berlin tunes, including "You're Just In Love," "Can You Use Any Money Today?" and "Hostess With The Mostes' on the Ball." Vera-Ellen's singing was dubbed by Carol Richards. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Ethel Merman - Mrs. Sally Adams
Donald O'Connor - Kenneth
Vera-Ellen - Princess Maria
George Sanders - Cosmo Constantine
Billy De Wolfe - Pemberton Maxwell

The cinematic adaptation of Irving Berlin's Call Me Madam had the benefit of retaining the stage production's star Ethel Merman. The film makes its debut on DVD with this release that presents the movie in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1. English soundtracks are rendered in both Dolby Digital Stereo and Dolby Digital Mono. English and Spanish subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a detailed commentary track recorded by Miles Kreuger who serves as president of The Institute of the American Musical. The original trailer is also available on this solid release from 20th Century Fox that comes highly recommended to genre enthusiasts. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide