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IMDbPro

It Should Happen to You

  • 19541954
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
4K
YOUR RATING
Jack Lemmon, Judy Holliday, and Peter Lawford in It Should Happen to You (1954)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:41
1 Video
35 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Romance
When a young woman with dreams of fame rents a billboard to advertise herself, her life changes overnight.When a young woman with dreams of fame rents a billboard to advertise herself, her life changes overnight.When a young woman with dreams of fame rents a billboard to advertise herself, her life changes overnight.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • George Cukor
  • Writer
    • Garson Kanin(story and screen play)
  • Stars
    • Judy Holliday
    • Jack Lemmon
    • Peter Lawford
Top credits
  • Director
    • George Cukor
  • Writer
    • Garson Kanin(story and screen play)
  • Stars
    • Judy Holliday
    • Jack Lemmon
    • Peter Lawford
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 55User reviews
    • 21Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    It Should Happen to You
    Trailer 2:41
    It Should Happen to You

    Photos35

    "It Should Happen to You" Judy Holliday 1954 Columbia **I.V.
    Judy Holliday and Peter Lawford in It Should Happen to You (1954)
    It Should Happen to You (1954)
    Janice Meredith (1924)
    Jack Lemmon and Judy Holliday in It Should Happen to You (1954)
    Judy Holliday and Peter Lawford in It Should Happen to You (1954)
    Jack Lemmon and Judy Holliday in It Should Happen to You (1954)
    Jack Lemmon and Judy Holliday in It Should Happen to You (1954)
    Judy Holliday in It Should Happen to You (1954)
    Jack Lemmon and Judy Holliday in It Should Happen to You (1954)
    Jack Lemmon and Judy Holliday in It Should Happen to You (1954)
    It Should Happen to You (1954)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Judy Holliday
    Judy Holliday
    • Gladys Gloveras Gladys Glover
    Jack Lemmon
    Jack Lemmon
    • Pete Sheppardas Pete Sheppard
    Peter Lawford
    Peter Lawford
    • Evan Adams IIIas Evan Adams III
    Michael O'Shea
    Michael O'Shea
    • Brod Clintonas Brod Clinton
    Vaughn Taylor
    Vaughn Taylor
    • Entrikinas Entrikin
    Connie Gilchrist
    Connie Gilchrist
    • Mrs. Rikeras Mrs. Riker
    Walter Klavun
    • Bert Piazzaas Bert Piazza
    Whit Bissell
    Whit Bissell
    • Robert Grauas Robert Grau
    Constance Bennett
    Constance Bennett
    • Guest Panelas Guest Panel
    Ilka Chase
    Ilka Chase
    • Guest Panelas Guest Panel
    Wendy Barrie
    Wendy Barrie
    • Guest Panelas Guest Panel
    Melville Cooper
    Melville Cooper
    • Guest Panelas Guest Panel
    Chris Alcaide
    Chris Alcaide
    • Air Force Man at Ceremonyas Air Force Man at Ceremony
    • (uncredited)
    Walter Bacon
    • Bar Patronas Bar Patron
    • (uncredited)
    Leah Baird
    Leah Baird
    • Audience Memberas Audience Member
    • (uncredited)
    Mary Bayless
    • Audience Memberas Audience Member
    • (uncredited)
    George Becwar
    • Board Memberas Board Member
    • (uncredited)
    Robert Berger
    • Board Memberas Board Member
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • George Cukor
    • Writer
      • Garson Kanin(story and screen play)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This story was conceived when Garson Kanin, trying to cheer up his wife Ruth Gordon, was driving by Columbus Circle. He told her he was going to put her name on "that billboard there" in the biggest letters. He didn't. He wrote a screenplay instead. Gordon suggested that the lead should be Judy Holliday. Kanin had originally considered a male lead, Danny Kaye. When he finished the screenplay, the lead had been written for Holliday.
    • Goofs
      The fictional New York TV station on which Gladys appears has call letters KXIW. Call letters for radio and television stations located east of the Mississippi River normally begin with W; Ks are generally assigned only west of the Mississippi. This has been the case since 1923; however, numerous W's west of the Mississippi, and K's east of the Mississippi, have been "grandfathered." Examples are KDKA, Pittsburgh, WBAP, Fort Worth, WDAY, Fargo and WDAZ, Devils Lake.
    • Quotes

      Pete Sheppard: Say, if you care to give me your address, I could drop you a postcard and fix it up for you to see this picture when it gets done.

      Gladys Glover: I'd give my right arm to see myself in the movies.

      Pete Sheppard: You don't have to give me your right arm. Just give me your right address.

      Gladys Glover: 262 West 61st Street, Room 9.

      Pete Sheppard: Well, so long Gladys.

      Gladys Glover: [Extends her hand but instead of him shaking it, Pete kisses it impulsively. She looks taken aback]

      Pete Sheppard: I saw a fella do that in a French movie last week. I've been meaning to try it ever since.

    • Crazy credits
      Introducing 'Jack Lemmon'
    • Connections
      Featured in Hollywood: The Gift of Laughter (1982)
    • Soundtracks
      Let's Fall in Love
      (1933) (uncredited)

      Words by Ted Koehler

      Music by Harold Arlen

      Performed by Judy Holliday and Jack Lemmon

    User reviews55

    Review
    Top review
    Charming and thoroughly enjoyable
    There's just something about a ditzy woman miraculously making herself a name that always seems to be a winner. I loved the way Gladys and Pete interacted throughout the entire story, through friendship, frustrations, unreturned feelings, and finally contented love.

    It is certainly a feel-good movie, and accomplishes this task rather well. Recommended for all you touchy-feelies out there.
    helpful•20
    0
    • witchy_mac
    • Dec 5, 2000

    FAQ1

    • "Name for Herself"---Was That The Original Title?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 1954 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • A Name for Herself
    • Filming locations
      • Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Columbia Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,400,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 26 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1
      • 1.95 : 1

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    Jack Lemmon, Judy Holliday, and Peter Lawford in It Should Happen to You (1954)
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