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Du Barry Was a Lady

  • 1943
  • Approved
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
1.8K
YOUR RATING
Lucille Ball and Red Skelton in Du Barry Was a Lady (1943)
Trailer for this king size musical extravaganza
Play trailer2:10
1 Video
91 Photos
SlapstickComedyMusicalRomance

A nightclub's coatroom attendant who's in love with the club's singer accidentally sips a drugged drink that makes him dream he's French King Louis XV, courting the infamous Madame Du Barry.A nightclub's coatroom attendant who's in love with the club's singer accidentally sips a drugged drink that makes him dream he's French King Louis XV, courting the infamous Madame Du Barry.A nightclub's coatroom attendant who's in love with the club's singer accidentally sips a drugged drink that makes him dream he's French King Louis XV, courting the infamous Madame Du Barry.

  • Director
    • Roy Del Ruth
  • Writers
    • Herbert Fields
    • Buddy G. DeSylva
    • Nancy Hamilton
  • Stars
    • Red Skelton
    • Lucille Ball
    • Gene Kelly
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    1.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Roy Del Ruth
    • Writers
      • Herbert Fields
      • Buddy G. DeSylva
      • Nancy Hamilton
    • Stars
      • Red Skelton
      • Lucille Ball
      • Gene Kelly
    • 46User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro

    • Videos1

    Du Barry Was A Lady
    Trailer 2:10
    Du Barry Was A Lady

    Photos91

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    + 85
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    Top cast99

    Edit
    Red Skelton
    Red Skelton
    • Louis Blore…
    Lucille Ball
    Lucille Ball
    • May Daly…
    Gene Kelly
    Gene Kelly
    • Alec Howe…
    Virginia O'Brien
    Virginia O'Brien
    • Ginny…
    Rags Ragland
    Rags Ragland
    • Charlie
    • (as 'Rags' Ragland)
    • …
    Zero Mostel
    Zero Mostel
    • Rami - the Swami…
    Donald Meek
    Donald Meek
    • Mr. Jones…
    Douglass Dumbrille
    Douglass Dumbrille
    • Willie…
    George Givot
    George Givot
    • Cheezy…
    Louise Beavers
    Louise Beavers
    • Niagara
    Tommy Dorsey
    Tommy Dorsey
    • Tommy Dorsey
    Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
    Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
    • Tommy Dorsey's Orchestra
    Richard Ainley
    Richard Ainley
    • Marching Rebel Behind King Louis
    • (uncredited)
    Grace Albertson
    • Perfume Girl
    • (uncredited)
    Kay Aldridge
    Kay Aldridge
    • Mrs. McGowan
    • (uncredited)
    Ernie Alexander
    • Delivery Man with Flowers
    • (uncredited)
    Richard Alexander
    Richard Alexander
    • Marching Rebel Behind King Louis
    • (uncredited)
    Sig Arno
    Sig Arno
    • Nick
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Roy Del Ruth
    • Writers
      • Herbert Fields
      • Buddy G. DeSylva
      • Nancy Hamilton
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      MGM hairstylist Sydney Guilaroff dyed Lucille Ball's hair flame red for this film, the color that she kept for the rest of her life and became her trademark.
    • Goofs
      During the scene in Madame Du Barry's boudoir when King Louis XV is chasing Du Barry around the dressing table, a man sitting in a chair can be seen reflected in the mirror.
    • Quotes

      Old lady: My dear, when I was your age I could've married money. But instead I picked a very poor man whom I loved dearly. John and I have been married for 50 years, and day by day our love has bloomed into the most wonderful hatred. Next time I get hitched, it's for dough.

    • Crazy credits
      The Three Oxford Boys are credited orally by the MC ('Gene Kelly') as The Oxford Boys.
    • Alternate versions
      This film was published in Italy in an DVD anthology entitled "Cover Girl", distributed by DNA Srl. The film has been re-edited with the contribution of the film history scholar Riccardo Cusin . This version is also available in streaming on some platforms.
    • Connections
      Edited into American Masters: Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      Du Barry Was a Lady
      (1943)
      Music by Burton Lane
      Lyrics by Ralph Freed
      Played during the opening credits
      Sung by Lucille Ball (dubbed by Martha Mears) and chorus at the nightclub

    User reviews46

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    5/10

    Average movie, but for fans of the stars, a must see.

    The movie was slow action. At points, almost boring. But for someone who wants to see up-coming and major stars of this time period, this movie has many. From Ball, Skelton, Kelly, and even O'Brien, Mostel, and finally Tommy Dorsey and his band, this movie has the stars. A good sample of their earlier works.
    • hem-7
    • Sep 24, 2000
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Du Barry Was a Lady?Powered by Alexa
    • Was that Eddie "Rochester" Anderson seen briefly as Louis' chauffeur. after Louis struck it rich?
    • Who is Zero Mostel parodying?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 13, 1943 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Gentleman's Choice
    • Filming locations
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,239,222 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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