Even back in her early years of stardom Susan Hayward was always willing to go that extra bit further. The plot reminded me of a bargain basement "My Sister Eileen" and was based on a play by Francis Swann who admitted the story was mostly the true experiences of his sister Lyn (Kate in the movie), a young New York actress trying to win fame. Susan knew Lyn was in Hollywood at the time so got in touch with her and obtained first hand information on how to play her role.
Even though released by United Artists, the movie looked like a showcase for up and coming Paramount players. Also making a distinct impression and singled out for praise by the critics was baby talking Florence MacMichael from the original New York play "Out of the Frying Pan".
When Dottie (Martha O'Driscoll), Kate (Hayward), Margie (Barbara Britton, later from TV's "Mr. and Mrs. North"), Norman (William Holden), George (Eddie Bracken) and Tony, all aspiring actors who share the one apartment hear that producer Arthur Kenny (Robert Benchley) has moved into the apartment below them, they all try valiantly to get his attention. This is a fun though episodic movie - Hayward as Kate is the go-getter, the one in the bunch that you know is going to make it. She is the only one prepared to put on a slinky dress and vamp producer Kenny into letting them give an audition. Margie is the small town girl, secretly married to Tony and expecting a baby, Dottie is the dizzy one whose father is paying for the apartment. When Dottie's friend, irritating Muriel (MacMichael) smells a rat about Dottie's unusual living arrangements, she sends for Dottie's father and that creates a few funny moments as the boys try to sneak out of the apartment and avoid their equally dizzy landlady (Mabel Paige) at the same time. In yet another plot twist, Kenny recognises from the kid's rehearsal, the play he had left in a suitcase many years before - it was seized by the landlady when he couldn't pay his rent. The performance he sees is such a hilarious mess - he realises it would be a huge hit if it was produced for laughs.
Eddie Bracken, a fast rising Paramount comedian, made the most of his role with a few different disguises. Another interesting bit I read - part of the wall decoration consisted of original play bills featuring Eleanora Duse, Mrs. Leslie Carter and Edwin Booth.
Even though released by United Artists, the movie looked like a showcase for up and coming Paramount players. Also making a distinct impression and singled out for praise by the critics was baby talking Florence MacMichael from the original New York play "Out of the Frying Pan".
When Dottie (Martha O'Driscoll), Kate (Hayward), Margie (Barbara Britton, later from TV's "Mr. and Mrs. North"), Norman (William Holden), George (Eddie Bracken) and Tony, all aspiring actors who share the one apartment hear that producer Arthur Kenny (Robert Benchley) has moved into the apartment below them, they all try valiantly to get his attention. This is a fun though episodic movie - Hayward as Kate is the go-getter, the one in the bunch that you know is going to make it. She is the only one prepared to put on a slinky dress and vamp producer Kenny into letting them give an audition. Margie is the small town girl, secretly married to Tony and expecting a baby, Dottie is the dizzy one whose father is paying for the apartment. When Dottie's friend, irritating Muriel (MacMichael) smells a rat about Dottie's unusual living arrangements, she sends for Dottie's father and that creates a few funny moments as the boys try to sneak out of the apartment and avoid their equally dizzy landlady (Mabel Paige) at the same time. In yet another plot twist, Kenny recognises from the kid's rehearsal, the play he had left in a suitcase many years before - it was seized by the landlady when he couldn't pay his rent. The performance he sees is such a hilarious mess - he realises it would be a huge hit if it was produced for laughs.
Eddie Bracken, a fast rising Paramount comedian, made the most of his role with a few different disguises. Another interesting bit I read - part of the wall decoration consisted of original play bills featuring Eleanora Duse, Mrs. Leslie Carter and Edwin Booth.