A pre-code entry that is not quite a Musical, not quite a Comedy, and not quite a Soap. It is none of these things and all of these things. That makes it an interesting if unsatisfying Movie. There is less "skin" in this than most of the early backstage stuff although the subject matter is certainly risqué.
Of interest to Film Buffs for the time frame and the infamous Marion Davies of William Randolph Hearst lore (made forever relevant in Citizen Kane (1940). There is much here to watch as it is presented with verve and that MGM professionalism. The Dialog is salty at times and spunky.
The Musical numbers, what little there are, come off as filler and unremarkable. The worst of it is probably the unfunny, untalented and dated Jimmy Durante. Inserted here for some reason, most likely Business.
There is an abrupt transition from middle to ending that seems like there are scenes missing and it is rather jarring. But overall this is a good "Drama" that may have an identity crisis. It works best as a rags to riches Depression Era story that audiences were using as an escape mechanism. For that it was well handled, but Artistically it suffers a bit from an inability to grab a style and stick with it.
Of interest to Film Buffs for the time frame and the infamous Marion Davies of William Randolph Hearst lore (made forever relevant in Citizen Kane (1940). There is much here to watch as it is presented with verve and that MGM professionalism. The Dialog is salty at times and spunky.
The Musical numbers, what little there are, come off as filler and unremarkable. The worst of it is probably the unfunny, untalented and dated Jimmy Durante. Inserted here for some reason, most likely Business.
There is an abrupt transition from middle to ending that seems like there are scenes missing and it is rather jarring. But overall this is a good "Drama" that may have an identity crisis. It works best as a rags to riches Depression Era story that audiences were using as an escape mechanism. For that it was well handled, but Artistically it suffers a bit from an inability to grab a style and stick with it.