Du Barry Was a Lady

Overview

This comedy video features Lucille Ball and Red Skelton, in this fantasy world where he imagines himself as King Louis XV in love with Madame DuBarry.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/14/2020
UPC:	0883929713424
Original Release:	1943
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono, Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:41:00
Sales rank:	25,406

Special Features

Oscar-Nominated Pete Smith Specialty Short Seeing Hands; Classic Cartoon Bah Wilderness; Theatrical Trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Red Skelton	Louis Blore/King Louis XV
Lucille Ball	May Daly/Madame Du Barry
Gene Kelly	Alec Howe/Black Arrow
Virginia O'Brien	Ginny
Douglas Dumbrille	Willie/Duc De Rigor
Rags Ragland	Charlie/Dauphin
Donald Meek	Mr. Jones/Duc De Choiseul
George Givot	Cheezy/De Roquefort
Zero Mostel	Rami the Swami/Cagliostro
Louise Beavers	Niagara
Charles Coleman	Doorman
Dick Haymes	Dorsey Singer
Cecil Cunningham	Couple
Harry Hayden	Couple
Clara Blandick	Old Lady
Marie Blake	Woman
Andrew Tombes	Escort
Richard Alexander	Man,Delivery Man
Art Miles	Man
Paul 'Tiny' Newlan	Man,Man
Chester Clute	Doctor
Kay Williams	Girl
Kay Aldridge	Girl
Hazel Brooks	Girl
Lana Turner	Guest Star
Jo Stafford	Singer
Pierre Watkin	Rich Patron
Sig Arno	Nick
Hugh Beaumont	Footman
Georgia Carroll	Showgirl
Inez Cooper	Showgirl,Flunky
Natalie Draper	Showgirl
Marilyn Maxwell	Showgirl
Eve Whitney	Showgirl
William Forrest	Guard Captain
Charles Judels	Innkeeper
Michael Visaroff	Flunky
William Costello	Flunky,Passerby
Dell Henderson	Flunky
Thomas Clarke	Flunky
Emmett Casey	Flunky
Christian J. Frank	Lackey
Emory Parnell	Gatekeeper
Mitchell Lewis	Renel
Ava Gardner	Girl
Don Wilson	Announcer
Tommy Dorsey	Himself

Technical Credits

Nancy Hamilton

Roy Del Ruth	Director
Arthur Freed	Producer
Warren Newcombe	Special Effects
Nancy Hamilton	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

For the first 20 or so years of its existence, "musical film" was pretty much synonymous with "lighthearted fluff." Du Barry Was a Lady fits that description exactly. Based somewhat loosely on a hit Cole Porter play, Du Barry is so light, a good breeze would blow it away, but it's a lot of fun. The plot is simply an excuse for the stars to do a number of routines, and as long as there are stars such as Lucille Ball, Red Skelton, and Gene Kelly, that's just fine. All three have a wonderful rapport, whether as a trio or in various duos, playing off of each other with skill and vigor. This is one of Ball's best film roles, exploiting her comic talent to a much greater extent than usual, and she looks beautiful. Skelton matches her in comedic technique, with his trademark befuddlement working to good effect, and Kelly is bursting with energy. The film isn't the type that allows for innovation, but it demonstrates that Kelly didn't need innovation -- he could be just as enthralling using typical musical comedy choreography. Although not an A-level musical, the costumes are witty and amusing, and the entire film has a silliness that's quite infectious.