Bullying, uncouth junkyard tycoon Harry Brock goes to Washington, D.C., with his brassy girlfriend, Emma "Billie" Dawn, and his crooked lawyer, Jim Devery, to "influence" a politician or two. As a legal precaution, Devery presses Harry to marry Billie, as a wife cannot be forced to testify against her husband.
Harry becomes disgusted with Billie's ignorance and lack of manners, though his are much worse. He hires journalist Paul Verrall, who had come to interview him, to educate her and give her some culture. Blossoming under Paul's encouragement and her own hard work, Billie learns about literature, history, politics and the law, and turns out to be much smarter than anyone knew.
Billie starts thinking for herself and applying her learning to her situation. She also falls in love with Paul, who respects and appreciates her. When she stands up to Harry, he reacts violently, striking her and forcing her to sign the contracts related to his crooked deal...
Directed by George Cukor
Written by Albert Mannheimer
Garson Kanin (uncredited)
Based on Born Yesterday
1946 play
by Garson Kanin
Produced by S. Sylvan Simon
Starring Judy Holliday
Broderick Crawford
William Holden
Cinematography Joseph Walker
Edited by Charles Nelson
Music by Frederick Hollander
Judy Holliday as Billie Dawn
Broderick Crawford as Harry Brock
William Holden as Paul Verrall
Howard St. John as Jim Devery
Frank Otto as Eddie, Harry's servant
Larry Oliver as Congressman Norval Hedges
Barbara Brown as Mrs. Anna Hedges
Grandon Rhodes as Sanborn, hotel manager
Claire Carleton as Helen the maid