Give a Girl a Break (1953): Cast & Plot
Give a Girl a Break is a 1953 romantic comedy directed by Stanley Donen, starring Gower Champion as Ted Sturgis, Debbie Reynolds and Kurt Kasznar. It runs 1 hour 22 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 22m (82 min)
- Director
- Stanley Donen
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Give a Girl a Break About?
The premise of Give a Girl a Break without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
When the temperamental star of a Broadway revue quits, director‑choreographer Ted Sturgis opts to cast an unknown, sparking a flood of hopefuls from a newspaper ad. Composer Leo Belney backs ballerina Joanna Moss, while gofer Bob Dowdy fancies Suzy Doolittle. Producer Felix Jordan convinces Ted’s partner Madelyn Corlan to return, to Ted’s dismay.
Give a Girl a Break Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- title co written by female
- reference to montana
- pregnancy announcement
- romantic reconciliation
- reference to minnesota
- reference to missouri
- show rehearsal
- ends with a kiss
- stage musical
- broadway show
- pomeranian dog
- newspaper promotion
+38 more Show fewer
- climbing a ladder
- climbing in a window
- standing on a grand piano
- song and dance
- clay sculpture
- new york night cityscape
- falling into river
- good night kiss
- snapping fingers
- tap dancing
- daydreaming
- helium balloon
- drawing lots
- m. champion and g. champion
- reynolds and fosse
- ballerina
- audition
- opening night
- reunion
- backstage
- theater audience
- boater hat
- juggler
- clown
- crying
- telephone call
- confetti
- balloon
- fantasy sequence
- dream
- taxi
- costume party
- rooftop
- dancing in the street
- kissing on a doorstep
- falling into water
- cartwheel
- backflip
Give a Girl a Break Cast & Characters
Gower Champion leads the cast as Ted Sturgis, with Debbie Reynolds as Suzy Doolittle and Kurt Kasznar as Leo Belney. Directed by Stanley Donen; 13 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Stanley Donen
- Gower Champion as Ted Sturgis
-
Debbie Reynolds as Suzy Doolittle - Kurt Kasznar as Leo Belney
-
Lurene Tuttle as Mrs. Doolittle
Also Starring in Give a Girl a Break
· 9 more- Bob Fosse Bob Dowdy
- Larry Keating Felix Jordan
- Dolly Sharp Mrs. Olga Bradshaw / Joanna Moss (as Helen Wood)
- George Chakiris Dancer
- Marge Champion Madelyn Corlane
- Richard Anderson Burton Bradshaw
- William Ching Anson Prichett
- John Call Mr. Doolittle
- Donna Martell Janet Hallson
More from Stanley Donen
More films directed by Stanley Donen, best-rated first: Singin' in the Rain, Charade, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Two for the Road.
Give a Girl a Break Plot Summary
What happens in Give a Girl a Break from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
On a bustling Broadway rehearsal floor, the temperamental star of a new musical revue storms off, leaving the show in a knot of tension. The director-choreographer Ted Sturgis improvises on the fly, proposing to cast an unknown to bring fresh energy to the number one spot. When the casting news hits the newspapers, crowds of hopefuls flood the stage, each eager to seize a chance at fame. Among the hopefuls is the enigmatic Dancer, a poised yet unnamed presence who embodies the kind of breakthrough the production desperately needs.
Full summary
The whole story of Give a Girl a Break, scene by scene
Give a Girl a Break Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Give a Girl a Break.
How Well Do You Know Give a Girl a Break?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the director‑choreographer who improvises the casting solution?
Give a Girl a Break Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “Donnez-lui une chance” and “Eine Chance für Suzy”.
- Also known as
-
- Donnez-lui une chance
- Eine Chance für Suzy
- Tres chicas con suerte
- Procura-se uma Estrela
- Dona-li una oportunitat a la noia
- Tre ragazze di Broadway
- Оставь девушку в покое
Seen Give a Girl a Break?
Movies Like Give a Girl a Break
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Dance, Girl, Dance, The Girl from Missouri and Girl Crazy.
Give a Girl a Break FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Give a Girl a Break, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Give a Girl a Break?
Give a Girl a Break runs 1 hour 22 minutes (82 minutes).
When was Give a Girl a Break released?
Give a Girl a Break was released on November 13, 1953.
Who directed Give a Girl a Break?
Give a Girl a Break was directed by Stanley Donen.
More films by Stanley Donen Who is in the cast of Give a Girl a Break?
Give a Girl a Break stars Gower Champion as Ted Sturgis, Debbie Reynolds as Suzy Doolittle and Kurt Kasznar as Leo Belney, among 13 credited actors.
Does Give a Girl a Break have a post-credit scene?
No. Give a Girl a Break has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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