The American Myth, the proverbial little guy and Wall Street.

The Solid Gold Cadillac (1956, Richard Quine) **


Judy Holliday and Paul Douglas reunite (after their Broadway triumph in Born Yesterday) in this George S. Kaufman and Howard Teichmann comedy with a fantastic supporting cast (and voice – of the narrator that is; who provides a running commentary throughout). At the end of Kaufman’s long and brilliant career this play lacked the verve and madcap nature of his earlier works (like The Man Who Came To Dinner and You Can’t Take It With You).


This film isn’t well remembered among classic movie fans and even fans of Julie Holiday as it compares to Born Yesterday or The Bells Are Ringing.


But more likely it’s because the role was changed from that of a “sweet little old lady” in the Broadway production of 1953 staring Josephine Hull (Arsenic and Old Lace) to that of … well Judy Holiday when the play went to Hollywood. And in the process it became pretty much a generic ‘Judy Holiday vehicle’.


The New York Times Review, “One of the more original slogans of the movie industry is, "Never underestimate the power of Judy Holliday." She's an actress who has the ability to move mountains and indifferent shows. She also has no hesitation to rush in where angels fear to roam. And she proves it again by making something wholly diverting and her own role of the lady in "the Solid Gold Cadillac" that was played on the stage by Josephine Hull.”


No matter. This movie is significant more for its value as a time capsule; about the way “we” wanted life to be in Eisenhower’s America. Or in the terms of Ron’s Cinemetheque, Americana or the way we wanted America to be or have been.


Narrated by George Burns the film opens, “Ladies and Gentlemen, in this country today more people are investing in the stock market than ever before. I imagine some of you folks own stock in one company or another. But for those of you who don’t let me explain…”


This story of a populist who upends her Wall Street counterparts animates the American myth that anyone can do anything if they put their mind to it (and if their heart is in the right place).


Here we have the all-American homily of the little guy triumphant. Laura Partridge (Judy Holiday) who owns a paltry ten shares of the company is able to bring the board-of-directors to their knees catapulting her to a corporate position as head of shareholder relations. Here we see Mr. Smith goes to Washington played out as Mrs. Main Street goes to Wall Street. The common sense of the common (man) woman prevails. What could be a better social commentary for the economic post-war boom Americans were experiencing in the 1950’s. Life was good in Eisenhower’s America.


Great character actors: Fred Clark (“I guess I’m the fella you either like or dislike judged by the value of your dividend checks.”), John Williams, Ray Collins, Arthur O’Connell, and Richard Deacon fill out the cast along with the unmistakable voice of George Burns.


This film was a perennial favorite on “The Fabulous 52” when I was a kid.