How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

1967

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

92%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 12

82%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 4,366
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Movie Info

Robert Morse recreated his Tony-winning stage role in this 1967 film version of Frank Loesser's Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical. A humble window washer at the New York offices of World Wide Wickets, J. Pierpont Finch applies the lessons he's learned from a book called How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying to wangle his way to the top of the executive heap. Though advised by the mailroom supervisor (Sammy Smith) to keep a low profile and play things "The Company Way," Finch follows his own skewed set of rules, endearing himself to bombastic company president J. B. Biggely (Rudy Vallee) by posing as a graduate of Grand Old Ivy, Biggely's alma mater. As he climbs to the top, Finch manages to dispose of an over-amorous rival by arranging a tryst between that rival and curvaceous secretary Hedy LaRue (Maureen Arthur)--who happens to be Biggely's live-in girlfriend. Finch also gets rid of the troublesome Mr. Ovington (Murray Matheson) by exposing the latter as an alumnus of Old Ivy's hated rival university. Graduating to vice-president, Finch feels secure enough to sing the show's one genuine love song "I Believe In You"--to himself! Actually, he's really in love with true-blue secretary Rosemary (Michele Lee), but won't admit to this until he suffers a career setback. Most of Loesser's songs survived the transition from stage to screen, with the exception of "Paris Original," which is heard merely as background music.

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Cast

Robert Morse
as J. Pierpont Finch
Michele Lee
as Rosemary Pilkington
Rudy Vallee
as J.B. Biggley
Maureen Arthur
as Hedy LaRue
Anthony Teague
as Bud Frump
Murray Matheson
as Benjamin Ovington
Don Kay Reynolds
as Smitty
Sammy Smith
as Mr. Twimble/Wally Womper
John Myhers
as Bratt
Jeff DeBenning
as Gatch
Ruth Kobart
as Miss Jones
George Fenneman
as TV Announcer
Anne Seymour
as Mrs. Biggley
Erin O'Brien-Moore
as Mrs. Frump
Pat O'Moore
as Media Man No. I
Joey Faye
as Taxi Cab Driver
Helen Verbit
as Finch's Landlady
Virginia Sale
as Cleaning Woman
Al Nessor
as Newspaper Seller
Carol Worthington
as Miss Krumholtz
Janice Carroll
as Brenda
Lory Patrick
as Receptionist
Patrick O'Moore
as Media Man
Wally Strauss
as Media Man
Ivan Volkman
as President of the U.S.
David Swift
as Elevator Operator
Dan Tobin
as Johnson
Robert Q. Lewis
as Tackaberry
John Holland
as Matthews
Paul Hartman
as Toynbee
Justin Smith
as Jenkins
Carl Princi
as 1st Junior Executive
Hy Averback
as 2nd Executive
Bob Sweeney
as 3rd Executive
Paul Bradley
as TV Board Member
Tucker Smith
as Junior Executive
Sheila Rogers
as 1st Girl
Robert Sweeney
as 3rd Junior Executive
Margaret Mason
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Critic Reviews for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

All Critics (12)

  • It least as funny as the old gamesmanship routines, and amiably dedicated to the proposition that any true company man is a rabbit in weasel's clothing.

    Jul 17, 2018 | Full Review…

    Penelope Houston

    The Spectator

  • The breezy manner with which the musical sends up the era's corporate chicanery and heedless sexism... couldn't be further from Mad Men's deadpan cool.

    Aug 14, 2016 | Full Review…

    Jason Best

    Movie Talk

  • Frank Loesser's Pulitzer Prize musical has been transferred to the screen almost intact and the result is one of the best movie musicals ever done.

    Nov 20, 2003 | Full Review…

    Tony Mastroianni

    Cleveland Press

  • A great Broadway show becomes a great movie, thanks largely to Morse

    Sep 27, 2003 | Rating: 5/5

    James Sanford

    Kalamazoo Gazette

  • Truncated from the show, Morse truly bizarre

    Sep 8, 2002 | Rating: 2/5

    Karina Montgomery

    Cinerina

  • ...perfect synthesis of singing, dancing, comedy, and satire, a show that brought scintillating dialogue, sharp-edged lyrics, and catchy tunes into sharp focus.

    Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 9/10

    John J. Puccio

    Movie Metropolis
View All Critic Reviews (12)

Audience Reviews for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

  • Jul 02, 2014
    You get the sense the some of the rougher satire in the original stage musical has been smoothed out for more mainstream audiences but what's there is still effective. Although the best reason to see the film is for Morse, whose wonderfully strange performance is the antithesis of what you'd expect from a musical comedy. He makes such consistent offbeat choices that you might wonder why any of the producers left him in the picture if you weren't so glad they did.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Sep 05, 2010
    Such a hilarious musical comedy, it's charming and enjoyable, and has a great cast of not so well known actors. The story is just what it says, a young guy gets a book with the same title as the movie, and follows the steps to quickly climb the corporate ladder with so much ease, that it's ridiculous. This makes fun of the corporate workplace and job hunting. I loved it, and I highly recommend it.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
  • May 31, 2009
    Bright, splashy film musical about an ambitious young window washer who rises through the ranks of a large corporation following the advice of a self-help book. Textbook example of how to do everything right in translating a musical from stage to film. Features a wonderful Frank Loesser score including the songs, "I Believe In You" and "The Brotherhood of Man". Robert Morse and Rudy Vallee reprise their original Broadway roles. Film debut of Michele Lee.
    Mark H Super Reviewer
  • Apr 26, 2009
    Far from my favorite musical, but still fun. The Coen's borrowed from this liberally for The Hudsucker Proxy.
    Ken S Super Reviewer
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