DADDY LONG LEGS

Daddy Long Legs
20th Century-Fox, 1955, Color, 126 minutes, ***½
Released May, 1955

Lavish, dance-filled extravaganza starring Leslie Caron as a French orphan whose schooling is sponsored by an anonymous American millionaire, played by Fred Astaire. After ignoring her for four years, the millionaire's secretary finally persuades her boss to visit the girl, and romance soon blooms. Terry Moore, Thelma Ritter co-star; songs include "Something's Got to Give."

Musical remake of the classic "Daddy Long Legs" tale of a wealthy middle-aged bachelor anonymously adopting a young orphan girl and ultimately falling in love with her (see also: Shirley Temple's Curly Top). A charming film, often overlooked. Leslie Caron is at her best - dancing and acting. A high-point of the film is Fred and Leslie's "Sluefoot" dance!

Produced by: Samuel G. Engel
Directed by: Jean Negulesco
Assistant Director: Eli Dunn
Screen Play by: Phoebe and Henry Ephron
From the novel by Jean Webster
Words and Music by: Johnny Mercer
Ballets by: Roland Petit
Music Supervised and Conducted by: Alfred Newman
Vocal Supervision: Ken Darby
Paris, Hong Kong, Rio Ballet Music: Alex North
Orchestration: Edward B. Powell, Skip Martin, Earl Hagen, Bernard Mayers, Billy May
Dances Staged by: Fred Astaire and David Robel
Art Direction: Lyle Wheeler, John De Cuir
Set Decorations: Walter M. Scott, Paul S. Fox
Wardrobe Direction: Charles Le Maire
Modern Wardrobe Designed by: Kay Nelson
Ballet Costumes Designed by: Tom Keogh
Makeup Artist: Ben Nye
Hair Styling by: Helen Turpin
Sound: Alfred Bruzlin, Harry M. Leonard
Director of Photography: Leon Shamroy
Special Photographic Effects: Ray Kellogg
Filmed in CinemaScope, Color by De Luxe
Color Consultant: Leonard Doss
Film Editor: William Reynolds

Awards: Academy Award Nominations for Best Score - Musical, Best Song ("Something's Gotta Give") and Best Art Direction / Set Decoration - Color

Cast: Fred Astaire [Jervis Pendleton], Leslie Caron [Julie Andre], Terry Moore [Linda Pendleton], Thelma Ritter [Miss Pritchard], Fred Clark [Griggs], Charlotte Austin [Sally McBride], Larry Keating [Ambassador Alexander Williamson], Kathryn Givney [Gertrude Pendleton], Kelly Brown [Jimmy McBride], Kathryn Card [Mrs. Carrington], Sara Shane [Pat], Numa Lapeyre [Jean], Ann Codee [Mme. Sevanne], Steven Geray [Emile], Percival Vivian [Professor], Hellen Van Tuyl [College Dean], Damian O'Flynn [Larry Hamilton], Joseph Kearns [Guide], Larry Kent [Butler], Charles Anthony Hughes [Hotel Manager], Ralph Dumke [Mr. Bronson], Tim Johnson [Bellhop], Harry Seymour [Cab Driver], Olan Soule [Assistant Hotel Manager], J. Anthony Hughes [Delivery Man], George Dunn [Chauffeur], Ray Anthony and His Orchestra [Themselves], The Pied Pipers [Themselves]

Musical Program: [0:00] "Something's Gotta Give" (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:06] History of the Beat (played by Fred Astaire on drums accompanied by a record); [0:13] C-A-T Spells Cat (sung by Leslie Caron); [0:27] Daddy Long Legs (Chorus); [0:32] Welcome Egghead (sung by Girls at Walston College); [0:44] The Daydream Sequence (Julie Andre's dream sequence): 1) Texas Millionaire (instrumental with Chorus, danced by Fred Astaire), 2) International Playboy (instrumental, danced by Fred Astaire and Chorus Girls), 3) Guardian Angel (instrumental danced by Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron); [0:54] Spring Dance (music provided by Ray Anthony and His Orchestra); [1:03] Sluefoot (sung by the Pied Pipers with Ray Anthony and His Orchestra, danced by Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron, with Chorus); [1:09] Dream (Fred Astaire sings along with record); [1:17] Something's Gotta Give (sung by Fred Astaire, danced by Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron); [1:40] Dancing Through Life (Julie Andre's second dream sequence: instrumental, ballet danced by Leslie Caron and Chorus); [2:03] Dream (begins in background, then danced by Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron);