Writing

Betty Comden

Born 1917-05-03 · Brooklyn, New York, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Betty Comden (May 3, 1917 – November 23, 2006) was one-half of the musical-comedy duo Comden and Green, who provided lyrics, libretti, and screenplays to some of the most beloved and successful Hollywood musicals and Broadway shows of the mid-20th century. Her writing partnership with Adolph Green lasted for six decades, during which time they collaborated with other leading entertainment figures such as the famed "Freed Unit" at MGM, Jule Styne and Leonard Bernstein. Description above from the Wikipedia article Betty Comden,licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Acting credits

Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There poster
7.0

Broadway: The Golden Age is the most important, ambitious and comprehensive film ever made about America's most celebrated indigenous art form. Award-winning filmmaker Rick McKay filmed over 100 of the greatest stars ever to work on Broadway or in Hollywood. He soon learned that great films can be restored, fine literature can be kept in print - but historic Broadway performances of the past are the most endangered. They leave only memories that, while more vivid, are more difficult to preserve. In their own words — and not a moment too soon — Broadway: The Golden Age tells the stories of our theatrical legends, how they came to New York, and how they created this legendary century in American theatre. This is the largest cast of legends ever in one film.

Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There

2003

It's Always Fair Weather poster
6.9

Three World War II buddies promise to meet at a specified place and time 10 years after the war. They keep their word only to discover how far apart they've grown. But the reunion sparks memories of youthful dreams that haven't been fulfilled -- and slowly, the three men reevaluate their lives and try to find a way to renew their friendship.

It's Always Fair Weather

1955

The Fabulous Fifties poster
6.0

The Fabulous Fifties, CBS, combines style, humor, and imagination. It was rich in touches of quality showmanship and equally rich in the memories of a decade which it revived. In recognition, the Peabody Television Award for entertainment is presented to The Fabulous Fifties, with a special word of praise for producer Leland Hayward and the top talent which appeared in this memorable entertainment special*. *The two-hour special featured comic takes and commentary about the previous decade by, among others, Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews, Mike Nichols and Elaine May, Dick Van Dyke, Shelley Berman, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Jackie Gleason, Eric Severeid and Henry Fonda.

The Fabulous Fifties

1960

Garbo Talks poster
6.3

When New York accountant Gilbert Rolfe finds out his mother has a brain tumor, he is devastated. His incorrigible mother, Estelle, has one last wish: to meet the great Greta Garbo. Gilbert, wanting to do this last thing for her, sets out on a wild goose chase through the streets of New York City to track down the iconic star, at the expense of his personal life and much to the chagrin of his wife, Lisa. Can he find Garbo before it's too late?

Garbo Talks

1984

Slaves of New York poster
5.4

Meet the denizens of New York City: artists, prostitutes, saints, and seers. All are aspiring toward either fame or oblivion while hoping for love and acceptance. Instead they find high rent, faithless partners, and dead-end careers.

Slaves of New York

1989

AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs: America's Greatest Music in the Movies poster
8.3

The top 100 songs of the past 100 years chosen by the American Film Institute are presented by host-actor John Travolta.

AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs: America's Greatest Music in the Movies

2004

Get Aboard! 'The Band Wagon' poster
NR

Documentary on the 1953 musical "The Band Wagon."

Get Aboard! 'The Band Wagon'

2005

Follies: In Concert poster
7.0

A backstage documentary film including footage from the legendary 1985 concert performance of Stephen Sondheim's classic musical at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. The plot of the musical centers around a reunion of showgirls who appeared in an annual Follies extravaganza when it was staged between the wars.

Follies: In Concert

1986

Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer poster
7.8

American Masters Series. Documentary on Gene Kelly that gives insight into his dancing, how he formed a style (first "blue collar dancer") and developed different cinematique techniques, such as brilliantly shot dancing sequences.

Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer

2002

The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story poster
7.2

The childhood, adolescence, and incredible adult years of Al Hirschfeld, celebrated creator of thousands of line drawings of famous people - many in the entertainment industry - over a span of more than sixty years. He is still drawing in his nineties. His interesting domestic life, political, and cultural views are highlights. In addition, he talks about himself a bit - seriously and lightly.(At one point he he claims that his only form of exercise has been to live in his Manhattan townhouse: stairs). He drives his car around Manhattan - an adventure in itself. Brief interviews with, and reminiscences of many friends and associates.

The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story

1996

Live from Broadway: Hello, Dolly! poster
NR

Documentary about the creation of the iconic Broadway show

Live from Broadway: Hello, Dolly!

1995

Gershwin poster
9.0

Documentary about George Gershwin directed by Alain Resnais with various celebrities speaking on their admiration and affection for Gershwin's music.

Gershwin

1993

What a Glorious Feeling: The Making of 'Singin' in the Rain' poster
7.0

Movie and stage icon Debbie Reynolds hosts the making of "Singin' in the Rain". The short documentary includes Donald O'Connor, who played the comical "Cosmo Brown", Stanley Donen, one half of the directors next to Gene Kelly, and Kathleen Freeman, who played Phoebe Dinsmore, Lina Lamont's (Jean Hagen) voice coach.

What a Glorious Feeling: The Making of 'Singin' in the Rain'

2002

No artwork available
NR

The Making of It's Always Fair Weather with footage and discussion by historians and participants.

It's Always Fair Weather: Going Out on a High Note

2006

On the Town poster
NR

A concert performance of Leonard Bernstein's "On the Town" performed at the Barbican Centre in London in 1993, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas and hosted by Betty Comden and Adolph Green

On the Town

1993

Behind the camera

Singin' in the Rain poster
8.1

In 1927 Hollywood, a silent film star falls for a chorus girl just as he and his paranoid screen partner struggle to make the difficult transition to talking pictures.

Singin' in the Rain

1952

On the Town poster
7.0

Three sailors wreak havoc as they search for love during a whirlwind 24-hour leave in New York City.

On the Town

1949

Auntie Mame poster
7.0

Mame Dennis, a progressive and independent woman of the 1920s, is left to care for her nephew Patrick after his wealthy father dies. Conflict ensues when the executor of the father's estate objects to the aunt's lifestyle and tries to force her to send Patrick to prep school.

Auntie Mame

1958

The Band Wagon poster
7.2

A Broadway artiste turns a faded film star's comeback vehicle into an artsy flop.

The Band Wagon

1953

What a Way to Go! poster
7.1

A four-time widow discusses her four marriages, in which all of her husbands became incredibly rich and died prematurely because of their drive to be rich.

What a Way to Go!

1964

It's Always Fair Weather poster
6.9

Three World War II buddies promise to meet at a specified place and time 10 years after the war. They keep their word only to discover how far apart they've grown. But the reunion sparks memories of youthful dreams that haven't been fulfilled -- and slowly, the three men reevaluate their lives and try to find a way to renew their friendship.

It's Always Fair Weather

1955

Bells Are Ringing poster
6.5

Ella Peterson works in the basement office of Susanswerphone, a telephone answering service. She listens in on others' lives and adds some interest to her own humdrum existence by adopting different identities for her clients. They include an out-of-work Method actor, a dentist with musical yearnings, and in particular playwright Jeffrey Moss, who is suffering from writer's block and desperately needs a muse.

Bells Are Ringing

1960

The Barkleys of Broadway poster
6.9

Josh and Dinah Barkley are a successful musical-comedy team, known for their stormy but passionate relationship. Dinah feels overshadowed by Josh and limited by the lighthearted musical roles he directs her in. So she decides to stretch her skills by taking a role in a serious drama, directed by another man.

The Barkleys of Broadway

1949

Wonderful Town poster
NR

The classic musical by Bernstein, Comden and Green is performed live in concert in Berlin, starring Audra McDonald, Thomas Hampson, Brent Barrett and Kim Criswell, and conducted by Simon Rattle.

Wonderful Town

2002

Peter Pan poster
6.6

In this magical tale about the boy who refuses to grow up, Peter Pan and his mischievous fairy sidekick Tinkerbell visit the nursery of Wendy, Michael and John Darling. With a sprinkling of pixie dust, Peter and his new friends fly out the nursery window and over London to Never-Never Land. The children experience many wonderful and exciting adventures with the Lost Boys, Tiger Lily's Indian tribe, and Peter's arch enemy the dastardly pirate Captain Hook.

Peter Pan

1960

Good News poster
6.5

At fictitious Tait University in the Roaring '20s, co-ed and school librarian Connie Lane falls for football hero Tommy Marlowe. Unfortunately, he has his eye on gold-digging vamp Pat McClellan. Tommy's grades start to slip, which keeps him from playing in the big game. Connie eventually finds out Tommy really loves her and devises a plan to win him back and to get him back on the field.

Good News

1947

Peter Pan poster
6.6

The stage musical Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby has toured the world to great acclaim. An adaptation of the famous 1954 musical directed by Jerome Robbins and starring Mary Martin, this new version is lasting proof that J.M. Barrie's tale of the boy who would never grow up is one of the kingpins of family entertainment. All the elements are in good form for this video production shot at the Mirada Theater in 2000 for the A&E Network. Some new songs have been added to the fabulous Moose Charlap-Carolyn Leigh score (which includes "Tender Shepherd," "I Gotta Crow," "I'm Flying," and "I Won't Grow Up"). But the biggest asset to this production are the spectacular flying sequences: Peter even soars over the audience at times. Martin was a stronger actress in a close-up, but Rigby is magical with her athleticism and spark, most notably in a percussion-filled song and dance number "Ugh-a-Wug.".

Peter Pan

2000

Peter Pan poster
6.2

This musical version of the tale of the boy who wouldn't grow up aired live on television on March 7, 1955. It was so popular that it was restaged the following year, and again four years later.

Peter Pan

1955

Applause poster
5.9

An aspiring actress, whose sugar-coated appearance belies her ruthless drive, worms herself into the life of an aging star and schemes to replace her on the stage as the star of a new play.

Applause

1973

Peter Pan poster
1.0

This SECOND live broadcast aired a year after the success of the first. Utilizing much of the same cast, it nevertheless is its own unique performance which charmed millions of households in 1956.

Peter Pan

1956

Singin' in the Rain poster
NR

Takarazuka Cosmos troupe 2008 production of Singin' in the Rain

Singin' in the Rain

2008

BBC Proms: Bernstein's On the Town poster
7.0

John Wilson and the London Symphony Orchestra present the hit Broadway musical On the Town live from the Royal Albert Hall. With classic numbers such as New York, New York and l Can Cook Too and a star-studded line-up of singers including Nathaniel Hackmann and Louise Dearman, this concert performance launches a packed bank holiday weekend of Proms tributes to the late composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, who would have been 100 years old on 25 August 2018. Katie Derham presents, with special guest Clarke Peters.

BBC Proms: Bernstein's On the Town

2018

On the Town poster
NR

A concert performance of Leonard Bernstein's "On the Town" performed at the Barbican Centre in London in 1993, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas and hosted by Betty Comden and Adolph Green

On the Town

1993