IMDb RATING
7.2/10
5.3K
YOUR RATING
Armed with the titular manual, an ambitious window washer seeks to climb the corporate ladder.Armed with the titular manual, an ambitious window washer seeks to climb the corporate ladder.Armed with the titular manual, an ambitious window washer seeks to climb the corporate ladder.
- Awards
- 2 nominations
Anthony 'Scooter' Teague
- Bud Frump
- (as Anthony Teague)
Kathryn Reynolds
- Miss Smith aka Smitty
- (as Kay Reynolds)
Jeff DeBenning
- Gatch
- (as Jeff Debenning)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe scene featuring Robert Morse skipping & dancing down the street on his way to work (immediately after the "Old Ivy" fight song duet with Rudy Vallee) was filmed on location in New York City using hidden cameras and a small earpiece to cue Morse on his timing. The various amused & astonished passersby were not extras, but rather were New Yorkers reacting genuinely to someone dancing to his own tune.
- GoofsDuring opening credits number, Robert Morse and a young fellow window washer board an electric scaffolding in exterior rooftop shot, but by next scene when scaffolding has descended a few floors, co-worker is now a much older man with much less hair.
- Quotes
J. B. Biggley: I know blood is thicker than water, but Bud Frump is thicker than anything. I'll promote him when I'm ready. Now, you listen to me, Gertrude. The next time Bud complains to his mother, and she calls you, and you call me, you're all fired. Damn it.
- Alternate versionsThe 1998 VHS release contained the 1994 variant of the United Artists logo.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Drew Carey Show: Brotherhood of Man (1999)
Featured review
One of the great satirical, musical comedies of the 60s. Robert Morse in the lead role is not unlike a sophisticated version of one of the Jerry Lewis characters of the same era - with the exception that he sings. And, he sings some wonderfully witty songs that must be very close to the bone in companies that take themselves too seriously. Sammy Smith is superb in his dual roles as the quarter of a century mail room head who "plays it the company way" and then later as Chairman Wally, the ex window washer. The lyrics will never date, along with the hammy caricatures of the self serving executives and staff. Not all stage musicals have translated well to the screen but How to Succeed is a noteworthy exception - highly recommended.
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $6,322,000
- Runtime2 hours 1 minute
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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Top Gap
By what name was How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967) officially released in India in English?
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