Ada
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Plot
Dean Martin plays an easygoing Southern politician, long on charm but short on brains. Susan Hayward, a poor girl with rich ideas, marries Martin and endeavors to engineer him into the governor's chair. Though no saint herself, Hayward is determined to overcome the good-old-boy corruption infesting the state government. She emerges triumphant after a public showdown with crafty politico Wilfred Hyde-White. Based on a novel by Wirt Williams,Ada was produced by the same team that had guided Susan Hayward to an Oscar nomination for I'll Cry Tomorrow. ~ Hal Erickson, RoviReview
Although the novel that was its basis was somewhat inspired by a real political situation, Ada suffers from a severe credibility problem. For those who don't mind how outrageous the plot twists and machinations of their soap operas are, Ada will probably be an okay way to pass a little time. But for those who insist on some degree of believability, the movie will be sunk within the first fifteen minutes. It might not be so bad if Ada's plot twists and turns were buttressed by some incisive characterizations or dialogue that crackled and sparkled. Unfortunately, it's all one-dimensional characters who spout lines we've all heard time and time again. Still, it's easy to see why Susan Hayward was attracted to the project, as the title role is one of those characters that she can give her all to --and she does. It's not great acting, but it's commanding and powerful, and it keeps Ada moving. Surprisingly, Dean Martin turns in one of his stronger performances, making one wish he had committed himself to some better roles in his career. The rest of the cast is fine, even if Wilfrid Hyde-White's accent comes and goes, and director Daniel Mann plays up the strengths of his performers as much as possible. ~ Craig Butler, RoviCast
- Susan Hayward - Ada Gillis
- Dean Martin - Bo Gillis
- Wilfrid Hyde-White - Sylvester Marin
- Ralph Meeker - Col. Yancey
- Martin Balsam - Steve Jackson
Credit
George W. Davis - Art Director, Edward C. Carfagno - Art Director, Helen Rose - Costume Designer, Al Jennings - First Assistant Director, Daniel Mann - Director, Ralph Winters - Editor, Bronislau Kaper - Composer (Music Score), Walt Fowler - Songwriter, Warren Roberts - Songwriter, William J. Tuttle - Makeup, Joseph Ruttenberg - Cinematographer, Lawrence Weingarten - Producer, Henry W. Grace - Set Designer, Jack Mills - Set Designer, William Driskill - Screenwriter, Arthur Sheekman - Screenwriter, Wirt Williams - Book Author| Ad-land Revisited (1961 Film), Ad-land (1973 Film) | |
| Ada Dans La Jungle (1989 Film), Ada apa dengan cinta? (2002 Film) |
Wikipedia on Answers.com:
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Ada (film)
| Ada | |
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 Original film poster |
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| Directed by | Daniel Mann |
| Produced by | Lawrence Weingarten |
| Written by | Arthur Sheekman William Driskill Wirt Williams (novel) |
| Starring | Susan Hayward Dean Martin |
| Music by | Bronislau Kaper |
| Cinematography | Joseph Ruttenberg |
| Editing by | Ralph E. Winters |
| Studio | Avon Productions Chalmar Inc. |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Release date(s) | 25 August 1961 (USA) |
| Running time | 109 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Ada is a 1961 political drama film made by Avon Productions and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed by Daniel Mann and produced by Lawrence Weingarten from a screenplay by Arthur Sheekman and William Driskill based on the novel Ada Dallas by Wirt Williams. The music score was by Bronislau Kaper and the cinematography by Joseph Ruttenberg. The art direction was by Edward Carfagno and George W. Davis and the costume design by Helen Rose.
The film stars Susan Hayward and Dean Martin along with Wilfrid Hyde-White, Ralph Meeker and Martin Balsam.
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Contents
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Plot
Bo Gillis is a guitar-playing good old boy from a Southern state who is a candidate for governor there. He ends up elected after his opponent's wife is revealed to have a dark secret, a fact that Bo's campaign mastermind, Sylvester Marin, makes sure becomes known to all.
Shortly before the election, Bo goes to a nightclub where he is introduced to Ada Dallas, a working girl. They share a similar upbringing and Bo feels an immediate bond. They elope, much to the chagrin of the candidate's speechwriter, Steve, and the cynical Sylvester, who wants the marriage annulled.
The Gillises resist and begin life as the state's first couple. Soon the governor finds that he is little more than a stooge, blindly signing whatever document Sylvester puts before him. His childhood friend Ronnie is dismissed as lieutenant governor for speaking out. Sylvester requests help from Ada in controlling her husband, but the state's ambitious First Lady demands something quite outrageous in return — to be named the new lieutenant governor.
Bo is furious. He wanted Ada to be his refuge from dirty politics, not a part of it. He continues to oppose Sylvester's methods, which leads to a bomb being placed in the governor's car. In the hospital, Bo tells Ada that he believes her to be a conspirator in his attack.
Ada is sworn in as acting governor. Quickly, though, she goes to work against Sylvester, promoting her husband's ideas for honest government. On the day of a decisive vote at the state Capitol building, as Bo views from the gallery, Sylvester and his henchman Yancey try to sabotage Ada's plans by revealing evidence of her past as a prostitute. Bo speaks up on his wife's behalf. Sylvester is ruined, and Bo and Ada walk away from the Capitol side by side.
Cast
- Susan Hayward - Ada Gillis
- Dean Martin - Bo Gillis
- Wilfrid Hyde-White - Sylvester Marin
- Ralph Meeker - Col. Yancey
- Martin Balsam - Steve Jackson
- Frank Maxwell - Ronnie Hallerton
- Connie Sawyer - Alice Sweet
- Ford Rainey - Speaker
- Charles Watts - Al Winslow
- Larry Gates - Joe Adams
- Robert S. Simon - Natfield
- Bill Zuckert - Harry Davers
See also
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ada (film) |
- Ada at the Internet Movie Database
- Ada at the TCM Movie Database
- Ada at AllRovi
- Ada at the British Film Institute
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