| Judy Holliday gives probably the most sustained downright hilarious female performance in a comedy and deserves her Oscar. Comedy for once got honored. The other ladies nominated, and I'd actually put Eleanor Parker in "Caged" above Anne Baxter's (Eve's machinations seem to be too clear too soon to me), are all terrific, but Holliday's Billie Dawn is just as iconic as Margo Channing and Norma Desmond. I think the "Solid Gold Cadillac" is a wonderful film too, with Holliday starring opposite her Broadway "Born Yesterday" co-star Paul Douglas in the film version of what had starred Josephine Hull and slightly tailored for the much younger Holliday to add love interest to the mix. With a great supporting cast including Tony winners Hiram Sherman and John Williams ("Dial M for Murder"), Fred Clark, Arthur O'Connell, Neva Patterson, and Ray Collins, I've watched this financial fairy tale many times over the years, and it never fails to delight, as does "Born Yesterday". Judy was a gem! |
