There's One Born Every Minute

The movie "There's One Born Every Minute," Elizabeth Taylor's cinematic debut, is a delightful and entertaining comedy that showcases the young actress's early charm. The plot centers around William Marsh, a pudding manufacturer who finds himself in an unlikely position – running for mayor of his town. Local businessmen, impressed by Marsh's easygoing nature, convince him to throw his hat into the political ring, thinking he'll be a pushover. They believe he can be easily manipulated to serve their interests, and with the influence that comes with the mayoral position, they plan to benefit from their scheme. Marsh's decision to enter the mayoral election is largely driven by the efforts of the local entrepreneurs. They see an opportunity to exploit Marsh's charisma and reputation as a successful businessman who owns a popular cream-filled pudding shop in the town. By announcing his candidacy, Marsh inadvertently becomes the town's novelty candidate – the "funny guy" in the election who brings much-needed levity to the otherwise dull campaign. The businessmen, confident that they can keep Marsh under control, encourage him to run. As Marsh starts to gain momentum in the polls, the local entrepreneurs decide to use a creative marketing strategy to boost their candidate's profile. Marsh's pudding shop serves as a campaign headquarters and makeshift billboard, plastered with campaign posters and slogans. The real masterstroke, however, comes when Marsh begins advertising his pudding as containing the elusive "Vitamin Z," a supposedly miracle nutrient believed to cure all ailments. This clever ruse catches the voters' attention, and Marsh's pudding suddenly starts flying off the shelves. His campaign gains a surprising boost, and his popularity surges. Marsh becomes a household name, and his slogan "Vitamin Z, the best for you" is repeated throughout the town. The local businessmen are thrilled with the sudden turn of events, as Marsh's newfound fame translates to votes for their preferred candidate. However, as Marsh's popularity grows, so does the unease of the town's leaders. They begin to suspect that the "Vitamin Z" claim may be nothing more than a marketing gimmick and that Marsh is being played by the local entrepreneurs. The tension reaches a boiling point when Marsh's pudding is subjected to a rigorous health inspection. Discrepancies are discovered, and it soon becomes apparent that "Vitamin Z" is nothing more than a fictional ingredient. The news spreads like wildfire, and the townspeople realize they've been duped. With the lid off the scam, Marshall's campaign begins to implode. His popularity plummets, and the townspeople are left with a sense of embarrassment and betrayal. Marsh, realizing he's been misled by the local businessmen, tries to distance himself from the fallout. The would-be benefactors behind his campaign now seem more interested in saving their own skin than in rectifying their mistake. In the aftermath of the scandal, Marsh's business and reputation take a hit, and he's forced to confront the consequences of being part of a scheme that was destined to fail. The townspeople, initially duped by Marsh's advertisements, regain their common sense and vow to be more discerning in their assessments of candidates and their claims. As Marshall grapples with the aftermath of the scandal, we see an early glimpse of Elizabeth Taylor's acting talent. At nine years old, she shows an undeniable charm and charisma, which foreshadows the stardom that awaits her in the years to come. Throughout the film, her character embodies a refreshing candor, even as she struggles to come to terms with the reality of her father's situation. "There's One Born Every Minute" stands as an early entry in Elizabeth Taylor's filmography, showcasing her early talent and demonstrating a narrative that still holds up today as a witty comedy of manners, filled with humor, and an abundance of character and wit.