Thornton Wilder's tale of a matchmaker who desires the man she's supposed to be pairing with another woman.
Acting
Shirley Booth's Dolly—equal parts ridiculous and heartbreaking.
Writing
Thornton Wilder's dialogue snaps like a stage door slamming.
Costume
Gaudy 1890s excess that screams 'new money theater kid.'
Director
Joseph Anthony
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This film adaptation preceded Hello, Dolly! by six years—same source material, zero musical numbers, somehow just as chaotic.
Shirley MacLaine and Robert Morse would both become Broadway legends; this early pairing captures pre-fame electricity.
US
