JUDY HOLLIDAY
The movie career of Judy Holliday, who died in 1965 at the age of 43, spanned only ten years. Each of her films is a joy. She was typecast by Hollywood as a dumb blonde, but she had an IQ of 172 and she won two Tonys and an Oscar. She had the rare ability to make you laugh and to feel good about life in general.
She was the wronged wife on trial for murdering her philandering husband in Adam’s Rib (1950), a Spencer Tracy-Katherine Hepburn vehicle with Tracy defending her and Hepburn prosecuting. This part was considered a screen test for Born Yesterday (1950). Although she had gloriously played Billie Dawn on Broadway for four years,  the studio for some reason didn’t think she was right for the movie. Fortunately, they wound up casting her anyway.
Ms. Holliday won her Oscar for Born Yesterday, her signature role. She is the somewhat dim wife of Broderick Crawford, a ruthless business man who wants to impress (and do business with) Congressional types. William Holden is hired to give her polish. She is funny and touching, and the teacher learns lots more than the student.
It Should Happen To You (1954) is also Jack Lemmon’s first film. Judy arrives in New York determined to make a name for herself, which she does by renting a billboard. A sly comment on celebrity that stands up very well after 60 years, and a wonderful vehicle for Ms. Holliday and Mr. Lemmon.
Ms. Holliday stars as a small stockholder determined to oust a crooked board of directors in The Solid Gold Cadillac (1956). The cards are stacked, but the laughs
are frequent and genuine.
Judy Holliday’s last film is the much underappreciated Bells Are Ringing (1960). She runs a telephone answering service, and just has to meddle in the lives of  her unseen clients. Dean Martin lends a hand in this fine musical. Ms. Holliday did the singing herself both on the stage and in the movie. The Party’s Over and Just In Time are highlights.She had a nice, ear-catching voice and made several records.
All of the movies in this article are available on DVD. All are suitable for children of all ages, but probably would only be enjoyed by 10 and up.