Call Me Madam

Released Mar 25, 1953

1h 57m

Musical

Comedy

List

80%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

69%

Audience Score

250+ Ratings

Washington appoints a small-minded social butterfly as a U.S. Ambassador in this film adaptation based on the satirical stage musical. When Sally Adams (Ethel Merman) arrives in Lichtenburg, her bright personality charms everyone she meets. She slips her political obligations aside to focus on a budding romance with Cosmo Constantine (George Sanders), the country's foreign minister -- and at the same time, her attaché (Donald O'Connor) pursues a relationship with the princess.

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Emanuel Levy

Variety

The great Ethel Merman recreated her Broadway role in this Irving Berlin musical, which won an Oscar for scoring.

Rated: B

Jul 13, 2010

Full Review

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Isn't a whole lot more than a solid film version of Irving Berlin's Ethel Merman stage show. But it doesn't really need to be.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 16, 2013

Full Review

Paul Brenner

Filmcritic.com

undiluted Merman at her "mostes."

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 30, 2008

Full Review

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Fine Merman musical which recreates her Broadway success.

Rated: 5/5

Jun 7, 2007

Full Review

Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

There are only three reasons to see this one, a rare Ethel Merman starring role, song and dance numbers by film legend Donald O'Connor and politically savvy dialogue.

Rated: C

Jul 12, 2005

Full Review

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Alec B

It's ridiculous, but that's part of the fun. The musical numbers are great.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/14/23

Full Review

steve d

Mermin's normal self-centered shlock.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great Show but Vera's native costume with the red hat is awful

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best musical movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

wonderful wonderful---bravo--they just don't make them like this anymore.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It's ridiculous, but that's part of the fun. The musical numbers are great.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

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Walter Lang

Director

Ethel Merman

Sally Adams

Donald O'Connor

Kenneth Gibson

George Sanders

General Cosmo Constantine

Vera-Ellen

Princess Maria

Billy De Wolfe

Pemberton Maxwell

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Synopsis

Washington appoints a small-minded social butterfly as a U.S. Ambassador in this film adaptation based on the satirical stage musical. When Sally Adams (Ethel Merman) arrives in Lichtenburg, her bright personality charms everyone she meets. She slips her political obligations aside to focus on a budding romance with Cosmo Constantine (George Sanders), the country's foreign minister -- and at the same time, her attaché (Donald O'Connor) pursues a relationship with the princess.

Director: Walter Lang
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Genre: Musical, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 25, 1953, Original
Release Date (DVD): Feb 6, 2007
Runtime: 1h 57m