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Drama

Ada (1961): Cast & Plot

Ada (1961) movie poster

Ada is a 1961 drama directed by Daniel Mann, starring Dean Martin as Bo Gillis, Susan Hayward and Martin Balsam. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes.

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Ada (1961) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 49m (109 min)
Director
Daniel Mann
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Ada About?

The premise of Ada without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A naive but beloved country singer unexpectedly becomes governor of a southern state and immediately sets out to expose and tear down the corrupt political machine that helped him win. Daniel Mann’s 1961 political drama features Susan Hayward, Dean Martin, Wilfred Hyde‑White, Martin Balsam and Ralph Meeker.

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Cast & crew

Ada Cast & Characters

Dean Martin leads the cast as Bo Gillis, with Susan Hayward as Ada Gillis and Martin Balsam as Steve Jackson. Directed by Daniel Mann; 17 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Ada

· 13 more
From the director

More from Daniel Mann

More films directed by Daniel Mann, best-rated first: Willard, BUtterfield 8, Under a Blue Sun and The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains.

Full filmography
Plot

Ada Plot Summary

What happens in Ada from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Bo Gillis is a guitar-playing man from a Southern state who becomes a populist candidate for governor. He is elected after his opponent’s wife is revealed to have a dark secret, a fact exposed by Sylvester Marin, his campaign mastermind, whose shrewd manipulation helps shape the race.

Shortly before the election, Bo visits a nightclub, where he meets a prostitute named Ada Dallas. They share a similar upbringing, and Bo feels an immediate bond. They are soon married, which upsets Bo’s assistant Steve and Sylvester, who want the marriage annulled.

Full summary

The whole story of Ada, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Ada Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Ada
  • Trailer Ada (1961) Official Trailer - Susan Hayward, Dean Martin Movie HD
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Ada?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What instrument does Bo Gillis play?

Seen Ada?

FAQ

Ada FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Ada, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Ada?

Ada runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).

When was Ada released?

Ada was released on August 25, 1961.

Who directed Ada?

Ada was directed by Daniel Mann.

More films by Daniel Mann

Who is in the cast of Ada?

Ada stars Dean Martin as Bo Gillis, Susan Hayward as Ada Gillis and Martin Balsam as Steve Jackson, among 17 credited actors.

Does Ada have a post-credit scene?

No. Ada has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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