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Du Barry Was a Lady (film)

Du Barry Was a Lady
Du Barry Was A Lady poster.jpg
theatrical release poster
Directed by Roy Del Ruth
Produced by Arthur Freed
Written by Nancy Hamilton (adaptation)
Wilkie C. Mahoney
(additional dialogue)
Screenplay by Irving Brecher
Based on Du Barry Was A Lady (1939 musical play)
by Herbert Fields
Buddy G. DeSylva
Cole Porter (music)
Starring Red Skelton
Lucille Ball
Gene Kelly
Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
Virginia O'Brien
Music by Cole Porter
Cinematography Karl Freund
Howard Kress (uncredited)
Edited by Blanche Sewell
Production
company
Distributed by MGM/Loew's Inc
Release date
  • August 19, 1943 (1943-08-19) ('NYC)
  • 1943 (1943) (US)
Running time
96 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $1,296,000
Box office $3,496,000

Du Barry Was a Lady is a 1943 American musical comedy film, starring Red Skelton, Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly and Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra. It is based on the 1939 stage musical of the same name. Shot in Technicolor, the film was directed by Roy Del Ruth and produced and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Source: The New York Times

The entertainer May Daly's nightclub act includes her portrayal of Madame Du Barry of days of yore. Equally smitten with her are coatroom attendant Louis Blore and master of ceremonies Alec Howe, but unfortunately for both, May persists in holding out for a wealthy husband, her current interest being a rich but snooty gent, Willie.

A telegram arrives notifying Louis that in the Irish Sweepstakes he is the winner of a prize of $150,000. Louis immediately and publicly declares his love for May, who is teased by Alec that she now has no reason to stay with Willie and avoid Louis, who is a sweeter fellow. Then after accidentally swallowing a drugged drink, Louis falls into a deep sleep and dreams that he is King Louis XV, holding court with Madame Du Barry (May) and holding off her colorful suitor, The Black Arrow (Alec).

After swordplay and the sentencing of the Black Arrow to the guillotine, Louis awakens from his dream. He realizes that May is in love with Alec and generously offers them a wedding gift of $10,000. May declines, saying she has changed her mind about money's importance. Everybody ends up happy until a tax collector comes to demand that Louis pay him $80,000.

Musical numbers featured Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra (featuring Buddy Rich and Ziggy Elman), Dick Haymes, Jo Stafford, The Pied Pipers, Six Hits and a Miss, and the Music Maids. Lucille Ball's singing voice was dubbed by Martha Mears in most of the picture, but her real voice is heard in "Friendship".


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