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Judy Holliday, Dean Martin, Fred Clark, Eddie Foy Jr., Jean Stapleton ... see more see more... , Frank Gorshin , Ruth Storey , Dort Clark , Ralph Roberts , Bernie West , Steven Peck , Gerry Mulligan , Nancy Walters , Paul Michael

Judy Holliday re-creates her Broadway role of flibbertigibbet telephone operator Ella Peterson in Bells are Ringing. Ella works for Susanswerphone, a hole-in-the-wall answering service run by her cous... read more read more...in Sue (Jean Stapleton). Our girl Ella can't help but become involved in the lives of her customers, which brings her to the attention of a dimwitted police detective, Barnes (Dort Clark), who suspects that Susanswerphone is a front for a house of ill repute. The cop is so obtuse that he never notices the story's genuine criminal, a flamboyant German bookie (Eddie Foy Jr.) who poses as a record executive and uses the names of composers as code for the various racetracks around the country. To avoid Barnes' wiretapping, Ella goes around New York in person to minister to the needs of her clients--most notably playwright Jeffrey Moss (Dean Martin), who is in danger of becoming an alcoholic if he can't come up with a good idea for a play. Assuming a false identity, Ella prattles on about some of her other clients, notably a dentist (Bernie West) who composes pop songs on his air hose. Moss is inspired by Ella, and eventually falls in love with her. Because she will not reveal who she really is to Jeffrey, Ella decides that her relationship is founded on lies, and walks out of his life. But Moss, together with the other Susanswerphone customers who have been "rescued" by Ella, show up at Ella's doorstep for a happy ending. Bells are Ringing is not an example of MGM's Arthur Freed unit at its best, but Judy Holliday is luminescent in this, her last screen role (incidentally, Holliday's "blind date" in one scene is played by her then boyfriend, jazz musician Gerry Mulligan). The film's songs, by Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Jule Styne, include the hit numbers "Just in Time" and "The Party's Over". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

73% liked it

1,717 ratings

Critics

75% liked it

8 critics

Unrated, 2 hr. 6 min.

Directed by: Vincente Minnelli

Release Date: June 23, 1960

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DVD Release Date: March 15, 2005

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Stats: 107 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (107)

  • jjnxn
    June 7, 2011
    jjnxn
    Sweet, good natured comedy. Wonderful supporting cast but the shining light of the whole thing is Judy Holliday a truly unique talent. She glows when ever she's on screen. Sadly this was her last film. A real loss.
  • ajv2688
    November 22, 2010
    ajv2688
    I really liked Holliday in this movie, her last, it's fun and has good songs. The story is funny and romantic, and I recommend this movie.
  • kenstachnik
    June 24, 2009
    kenstachnik
    Moments of genius, moments of complete stupidity.

    Judy Holliday was fantastic, but I found the film real uneven. I bet on stage it would work a lot better. The police story line was especially cringe inducing. However there was great physical comedy shtick
  • hobster1
    May 29, 2009
    hobster1
    Judy Holliday is a an absolute delight in her final film as a telephone answering service operator who becomes romantically involved with one of her clients. Stylish musical based on the 1956 Broadway hit of the same name is heartwarming and sweet from start to finish. An under... read morevalued gem. Songs include the popular standards "Just in Time" and "The Party's Over".
  • bookokie
    September 19, 2008
    bookokie
    Judy Holliday's performance was great and I enjoyed her job. How fun would that be to work at Susanswerphone! I did, however, find the songs lacking and Dean Martin boring.
  • jazzmonk
    June 7, 2007
    jazzmonk
    It's worth seeing for Judy Holliday's performance and for Dean singing Just in Time alone. It's a charming movie.
  • thegirlwho
    July 24, 2006
    thegirlwho
    Cute in some parts, but also kind of dumb. I love Judy Holliday, though, and Dean Martin is sure dreamy in this.

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Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz
September 13, 2009
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Has too much plot and not enough music or comedy. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 27, 2009
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Minnelli's last collaboration with Arthur Freed is an old-fashioned, moderately entertaining musical that suffers from lack of chemistry between Judy Holliday and Dean Martin. Full Review

Michael E. Grost
August 8, 2008
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television

Inventive, emotionally involving and visually stylish musical. Full Review

Douglas Pratt
July 21, 2006
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser

a wonderful film

Carol Cling
March 17, 2006
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

One of Hollywood's last old-fashioned Broadway adaptations, with Holliday as endearing as ever. Not exactly Minnelli's finest, but well worth catching for musicals fans.

Jeremiah Kipp
March 14, 2005
Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine

Never translates into anything cinematic. Full Review

Ken Hanke
March 15, 2004
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

One of the most undervalued of musicals.

David Mermelstein
March 26, 2009
David Mermelstein, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Frank Swietek
March 18, 2004
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion

No review available.

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Bells Are Ringing Trivia

  • This actress was in "Bells are Ringing", "Born Yesterday" and "The Solid Gold Cadillac".  Answer »
  • Who was the director of Bells Are Ringing ?  Answer »
  • What is Jeffery's moms profession in Bells Are Ringing ?  Answer »
  • Who falls in love with Jeffery Moss in Bells Are Ringing ?  Answer »
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