Born Yesterday
Encyclopedia
Born Yesterday is a play written by Garson Kanin
which premiered on Broadway
in 1946, starring Judy Holliday
as Billie Dawn. The play was adapted into
a successful 1950 film of the same name
.
When Billie's ignorance becomes a liability to Brock's business dealings, he hires a journalist, Paul Verrall, to educate his girlfriend. In the process of learning, Billie Dawn realizes how corrupt Harry is and begins interfering with his plans to bribe a Congressman
into passing legislation that would allow Brock's business to make more money.
on November 9, 1948 and closed on December 31, 1949, after a total of 1642 performances. Judy Holliday starred as Billie, with Paul Douglas
as Harry Brock and Gary Merrill
as Paul Verrall. Written and directed by Garson Kanin, the scenic design was by Donald Oenslager
and costume design by Ruth Kanin.Jean Arthur
was originally hired to play Billie but left during tryouts.
For his performance as Harry Brock, Paul Douglas was awarded the 1946 Clarence Derwent Award
for the most promising male performance.
Original Broadway cast
, who received a Tony Award
nomination for Best Actress in a Play.
1989 revival cast
Source:New York Times
on April 24, 2011. Directed by Doug Hughes
, the play stars Jim Belushi as Harry Brock, Nina Arianda
making her Broadway debut as Billie Dawn and Robert Sean Leonard
as Paul Verrall.
The 2011 revival was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play and Best Costume Design of a Play (Catherine Zuber
).
2011 revival cast
with direction by George Cukor
starred Judy Holliday and William Holden
. A 1993 remake directed by Luis Mandoki
and released through Buena Vista Pictures, starred Melanie Griffith
as Billie Dawn and 'updated' the plot.
Garson Kanin
Garson Kanin was a prolific American writer and director of plays and films.-Film and stage career:...
which premiered on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in 1946, starring Judy Holliday
Judy Holliday
Judy Holliday was an American actress.Holliday began her career as part of a night-club act, before working in Broadway plays and musicals...
as Billie Dawn. The play was adapted into
a successful 1950 film of the same name
Born Yesterday (1950 film)
Born Yesterday is a 1950 film based on the play of the same name by Garson Kanin and directed by George Cukor. The screenplay was written by Albert Mannheimer with uncredited contributions from Kanin....
.
Plot
An uncouth, corrupt rich junk dealer, Harry Brock, brings his showgirl mistress Billie Dawn with him to Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
When Billie's ignorance becomes a liability to Brock's business dealings, he hires a journalist, Paul Verrall, to educate his girlfriend. In the process of learning, Billie Dawn realizes how corrupt Harry is and begins interfering with his plans to bribe a Congressman
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
into passing legislation that would allow Brock's business to make more money.
1946 Original Broadway
Born Yesterday opened on February 4, 1946 on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatreand ran there until November 6, 1948; the play transferred to Henry Miller's TheatreHenry Miller's Theatre
The Stephen Sondheim Theatre, formerly Henry Miller's Theatre, is a Broadway theatre located at 124 West 43rd Street, between Broadway and 6th Avenue, in Manhattan's Theatre District.-History:...
on November 9, 1948 and closed on December 31, 1949, after a total of 1642 performances. Judy Holliday starred as Billie, with Paul Douglas
Paul Douglas (actor)
Paul Douglas was an American actor, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as Paul Douglas Fleischer.-Career:...
as Harry Brock and Gary Merrill
Gary Merrill
Gary Fred Merrill was an American film and television character actor whose credits included more than fifty feature films, a half-dozen mostly short-lived TV series, and dozens of television guest appearances....
as Paul Verrall. Written and directed by Garson Kanin, the scenic design was by Donald Oenslager
Donald Oenslager
Donald Oenslager was a celebrated American scenic designer who won the Tony Award for Best Scenic Design.-Biography:Oenslager was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and became interested in design while studying in Europe...
and costume design by Ruth Kanin.Jean Arthur
Jean Arthur
Jean Arthur was an American actress and a major film star of the 1930s and 1940s. She remains arguably the epitome of the female screwball comedy actress. As James Harvey wrote in his recounting of the era, "No one was more closely identified with the screwball comedy than Jean Arthur...
was originally hired to play Billie but left during tryouts.
For his performance as Harry Brock, Paul Douglas was awarded the 1946 Clarence Derwent Award
Clarence Derwent Awards
The Clarence Derwent Awards are theatre awards given annually by the Actors' Equity Association on Broadway in the United States and by Equity, the performers union, in the West End in the United Kingdom....
for the most promising male performance.
Original Broadway cast
- Paul DouglasPaul Douglas (actor)Paul Douglas was an American actor, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as Paul Douglas Fleischer.-Career:...
– Harry Brock - Judy HollidayJudy HollidayJudy Holliday was an American actress.Holliday began her career as part of a night-club act, before working in Broadway plays and musicals...
– Billie Dawn - Gary MerrillGary MerrillGary Fred Merrill was an American film and television character actor whose credits included more than fifty feature films, a half-dozen mostly short-lived TV series, and dozens of television guest appearances....
– Paul Verrall - Carroll Ashburn – The Assistant Manager
- Frank Otto – Eddie Brock
- Larry Oliver – Senator Norval Hedges
- Mona BrunsMona BrunsMona Bruns was an American actress on the stage, films, radio, and television.Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Bruns appeared on Broadway with her husband, Frank M. Thomas. They moved to Los Angeles in the 1930s, where she acted in several films. She played the role of Aunt Emily on the CBS soap...
– Mrs. Hedges - C.L. Burke – Waiter
- Ellen HallEllen HallEllen Hall was a B-movie actress of the 1940s.Ellen Hall was born in Los Angeles, California, and came from an acting family, though all were little known. Her grandmother, May Hall, had been a struggling actress, appearing in one silent film...
– Helen
1989 Broadway revival
The play was revived on Broadway in 1989. It opened at the 46th Street Theatre in previews on January 18, 1989, officially on January 29, 1989, and closed on June 11, 1989 after 153 performances. It was directed by Josephine R. Abady and starred Edward Asner and Madeline KahnMadeline Kahn
Madeline Kahn was an American actress. Kahn was known primarily for her comedic roles in films such as Paper Moon, Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, What's Up, Doc?, and Clue.-Early life:...
, who received a Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
nomination for Best Actress in a Play.
1989 revival cast
Source:New York Times
- Edward Asner – Harry Brock
- Madeline KahnMadeline KahnMadeline Kahn was an American actress. Kahn was known primarily for her comedic roles in films such as Paper Moon, Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, What's Up, Doc?, and Clue.-Early life:...
– Billie Dawn - Franklin CoverFranklin CoverFranklin Edward Cover was an American actor most noted for starring on the sitcom The Jeffersons. His character, Tom Willis, was half of one of the first interracial marriages to be seen on prime-time television....
– Ed Devery - Daniel Hugh Kelly – Paul Verrall
- Joel Bernstein – Eddie Brock
- Charlotte Booker – Manicurist
- Peggy Cosgrave – Mrs. Hedges
- Heather Ehlers – Helen, a maid
- Paul Hebron – Another Bellhop, Barber, Waiter
- Gregory JbaraGregory Jbara-Early life:Jbara was born in Nankin Township , Michigan, the son of an advertising office manager and an insurance claims adjuster. He is of Lebanese and Irish descent. After graduating from Wayne Memorial High School in Wayne, Michigan, Jbara attended the University of Michigan from 1979 to 1981...
– Bellhop, Bootblack - Ron Johnston – The Assistant Manager
- John Wylie – Senator Norval Hedges
2011 Broadway revival
The second Broadway revival opened at the Cort TheatreCort Theatre
The Cort Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 138 West 48th Street in the Theatre District of midtown Manhattan in New York City...
on April 24, 2011. Directed by Doug Hughes
Doug Hughes
Douglas Hughes is an American theatre and film director. He is the son of acting couple Barnard Hughes and Helen Stenborg.-References:-External links:...
, the play stars Jim Belushi as Harry Brock, Nina Arianda
Nina Arianda
Nina Arianda is an American theatre and film actress.-Early life and education:Arianda grew up in Clifton, New Jersey and Heidelberg, Germany...
making her Broadway debut as Billie Dawn and Robert Sean Leonard
Robert Sean Leonard
Robert Sean Leonard is an American actor, who has regularly starred in Broadway and off-Broadway productions. Since 2004 he has played the role of Dr. James Wilson on the TV series House...
as Paul Verrall.
The 2011 revival was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play and Best Costume Design of a Play (Catherine Zuber
Catherine Zuber
- Broadway :Zuber's Broadway credits include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying , Born Yesterday , Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, South Pacific , The Coast of Utopia , The Light in the Piazza , Edward Albee's Seascape , Awake and Sing! ,...
).
2011 revival cast
- Jim Belushi as Harry Brock
- Nina AriandaNina AriandaNina Arianda is an American theatre and film actress.-Early life and education:Arianda grew up in Clifton, New Jersey and Heidelberg, Germany...
as Billie Dawn - Frank WoodFrank Wood (actor)Frank Wood is an American actor who has appeared in various television, film, and theatre roles. His most frequent role was performing as Greg in the HBO series Flight Of The Conchords.-Early life:...
as Ed Devery - Robert Sean LeonardRobert Sean LeonardRobert Sean Leonard is an American actor, who has regularly starred in Broadway and off-Broadway productions. Since 2004 he has played the role of Dr. James Wilson on the TV series House...
as Paul Verrall - Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (actor)Michael McGrath is an American stage actor. He is best known for his role as Patsy in Spamalot, for which he received a nomination for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. He has been an ensemble member and understudy for many shows, including My Favorite Year, Swinging on a Star and...
as Eddie Brock - Liv Rooth as A Manicurist
- Patricia Hodges as Mrs. Hedges
- Jennifer Regan as Helen, a maid
- Fred Arsenault as Bellhop #1
- Danny RutiglianoDanny RutiglianoDanny Rutigliano is an American actor. Previously he was in The Lion King portraying the character Timon. A member of the original cast, he also originated the role of Timon in the L.A...
as Bellhop #2/Bootblack - Bill Christ as A Bellhop #3/Barber
- Andrew Weems as The Assistant Manager
- Terry Beaver as Senator Norval Hedges
Film adaptions
The 1950 film adaptation, made by Columbia PicturesColumbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
with direction by George Cukor
George Cukor
George Dewey Cukor was an American film director. He mainly concentrated on comedies and literary adaptations. His career flourished at RKO and later MGM, where he directed What Price Hollywood? , A Bill of Divorcement , Dinner at Eight , Little Women , David Copperfield , Romeo and Juliet and...
starred Judy Holliday and William Holden
William Holden
William Holden was an American actor. Holden won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1954 and the Emmy Award for Best Actor in 1974...
. A 1993 remake directed by Luis Mandoki
Luis Mandoki
Luis Mandoki is a Mexican film director working in Mexico and Hollywood.Luis Mandoki studied Fine Arts in Mexico and at the San Francisco Art Institute, the London College of Printing, and the London International Film School...
and released through Buena Vista Pictures, starred Melanie Griffith
Melanie Griffith
Melanie Richards Griffith is an American actress. She is an Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner for her performance in the 1988 film Working Girl...
as Billie Dawn and 'updated' the plot.