Sally Adams is the “hostess with the mostest”! Her parties in Washington are legendary and her money is desired by everyone. When President Harry Truman appoints her as ambassador to the small, fictitious European nation of Lichtenburg, she takes everyone by surprise. What Sally lacks in policy knowledge, she makes up for in charm. Everyone is taken with Sally's practical, down-home manner--especially the nation's handsome Prime Minister, Cosmo Constantine. Meanwhile, Sally's secretary, Kenneth Gibson, breaks protocol and falls in love with the beautiful Princess Maria. When Sally becomes involved in the nation’s politics, she starts to ruffle some feathers. The country is plunged into its first general election in twenty years and Sally’s involvement in campaigning for Cosmo causes her to be recalled to America. However, the spirit of democracy takes over in Lichtenburg. Princess Maria is granted permission to propose to Kenneth and the newly elected Prime Minister, Cosmo visits Sally in Washington to grant her the royal order of Dame and declare his love.
Irving Berlin's sparkling political satire, Call Me Madam, is based on the real-life Washington DC hostess and Democratic Party fundraiser Perle Mesta, who was appointed the Ambassador to Luxembourg in 1949.
Call Me Madam guide sections
