I got this pre-code collection of 6 early 30s movies from the library, and the first one into the DVD player was Hot Saturday, starring Nancy Carroll. Surprisingly, Cary Grant, recipient of Paramount's star building process, has top billing, although his is a support role. I've seen Carroll's name and picture in the early 30s movie magazines and knew she was a star, but I haven't seen any of her films before and never would have without this collection.
Carroll is not beautiful, but she has star presence. This film is hers and she is wonderful in it. So likable. And the story of mean gossips who destroy her reputation, she the most popular girl in town, is an interesting one. Looking back 80 years it's so surprising to see how important it was for girls to protect their good name in order to capture a husband. Public and private attitudes toward 'bad' girls certainly have changed over the decades.
I was surprised too at Carroll's mother turning against her. Ouch. But her henpecked father believed in her and came to her defense. That was nice. But it was now time to leave her family, neighbors, 'friends', small town, and go on to greener pastures in the Big City with the rich and oh-so-handsome, debonaire, sophisticated, charming, and nice playboy.
After working at other studios when her Paramount contract ended in 1934, her stardom was fini in 1938. What this tells me is that it requires luck to continue to build a career and maintain a hold on the movie-going public. Carroll, like many other short-lived stars, did not have Colbert's luck or business sense. But that's the way the Hollywood cookie crumbles.
Carroll is not beautiful, but she has star presence. This film is hers and she is wonderful in it. So likable. And the story of mean gossips who destroy her reputation, she the most popular girl in town, is an interesting one. Looking back 80 years it's so surprising to see how important it was for girls to protect their good name in order to capture a husband. Public and private attitudes toward 'bad' girls certainly have changed over the decades.
I was surprised too at Carroll's mother turning against her. Ouch. But her henpecked father believed in her and came to her defense. That was nice. But it was now time to leave her family, neighbors, 'friends', small town, and go on to greener pastures in the Big City with the rich and oh-so-handsome, debonaire, sophisticated, charming, and nice playboy.
After working at other studios when her Paramount contract ended in 1934, her stardom was fini in 1938. What this tells me is that it requires luck to continue to build a career and maintain a hold on the movie-going public. Carroll, like many other short-lived stars, did not have Colbert's luck or business sense. But that's the way the Hollywood cookie crumbles.