Born Yesterday - A Review of a Classic Film Starring William Holden and Judy Holliday

I’m a big fan of classic movies, but I admit I wasn’t too eager to see Born Yesterday when it came on TCM. Who needs a movie about a dumb blonde? But, I enjoy William Holden, and I wanted to see the part for which Judy Holliday won an Oscar. After all, she beat Bette Davis, one of my favorite actresses of that era.

Well, I watched, and I was pleasantly surprised. The movie is about Billie and her fiancé of seven years, Harry Brock. They arrive in Washington so he can set up an illegal cartel, with the help of a congressman who he’s paying off. While Harry tries to circumvent legalities and push people around, he also feels the need to educate Billie. She’s an ex chorus girl, with no education who embarrasses Harry every time she opens her mouth. He gets a reporter, Paul Verrell to come and smooth out her rough edges. But, he gets more than he bargains for when Paul awakens Billie’s mind. Billie begins to think for the first time, and also to question things. She questions her life with Harry, as well as his shady dealings.

This movie is classified as a comedy, and a lot of the jokes come from Billie’s dimness. When Harry tries to prove that she’s still stupid despite her work with Paul, he asks her what a peninsula is. Her reply is, “That new medicine.” However, there are other ways to look at it. It’s a tale of corruption, and how even good people can sell themselves for a dollar. Harry’s attorney, a once honest man, helps Harry out with his schemes. Billie tells him that she thinks he’s worse than Harry. The congressman allows Harry to talk to him any way, and you can see him becoming despondent about it. It’s also a tale of growth. You soon learn along with Billie that she has a brain, and a very intelligent one. She begins to grasp concepts and ideas and to form her own. Even when she misuses a word, such as inhibit for inhabit, that doesn’t take away from the thoughts behind the words. Billie and the audience also realize that she’s worth more than Harry. She’s friendly and considerate and caring.