Not long ago I watched a Paramount precode starring Lili Damita, and I was impressed with her performance. I realized that I didn't know much about her, except for her being Errol Flynn's first wife. As I read up on her background, I was intrigued and eager to find more of her film work...especially since not much of it ever airs on Turner Movie Classics.
One film that has aired a few times on TCM is a precode made by RKO that was released in early 1933. It was obviously made quickly and cheaply but it still contains a great central performance from this dynamic and talented actress. She is cast as a French girl who was adopted and brought over by a stern aunt (Jane Keckley) and uncle (Reginald Barlow). These relatives don't really like young Goldie, viewing her as rebellious and irresponsible.
In fact during the first few scenes of the movie, the entire family gathers round Goldie and chastises her for not coming home last night. One member of the family calls her a hussy. The aunt and uncle feel Goldie should marry a respectable guy in town (Charles Morton) who has taken a shine to her. Goldie does love the lug, but also wants to play around and experience more of life while she can.
Soon Goldie's impetuousness gets the better of her and she takes to the open road to explore life beyond their small-minded community. She has it in her head that she might be able to become a big movie star. She plans to travel cross country to Hollywood. Along the way, she will have many riotous adventures. Some that border on illegal.
Of course Morton chases after her. They meet up again when she has been pulled over by a motorcycle cop (Nat Pendleton). Never mind that Goldie was speeding, that's the least of her worries. She has "borrowed" the car from an amorous driver she met earlier. Pendleton has no choice but to arrest the sexy motorist and haul her off to jail. Morton intends to speak to the mayor, the judge and anyone else who will listen- to get the charges dropped.
Goldie beats the charges. But while she appreciates the help, she is still not ready to go back and continues on her way to California. Next, she meets a scam artist (Sam Hardy) and teams up with him as he journeys west. He is running a phony beauty contest, and part of the racket involves Goldie cozying up to the bigwigs that will swing the contest in her favor. Every time she "wins" in one of these podunk towns, she takes the prize of going to Hollywood, instead of the money which Hardy pockets.
That is, until Goldie gets wise and decides to start pocketing some of the dough herself. The middle portion of the film is a lot of fun to watch. Seeing Goldie work her charms on corrupt officials provides us with some memorable scenes, particularly when the men realize they've been duped and Goldie's skipped town with Hardy and the money. Miss Damita has a field day with this.
The last part of the story involves Goldie's arrival in Tinseltown. She makes some important friends and works her wiles on a few producers and studio bosses, in the hopes of snagging a movie contract. Meanwhile, Morton's character had gone ahead and is already there. He is still determined to get her to go back home with him and settle down.
I won't spoil the ending here, but Goldie does receive a contract to appear in motion pictures. So she will have to make a choice. But will it be the right choice?
GOLDIE GETS ALONG is episodic in nature, and the episodes string together nicely. This is a character-driven road comedy. It is based on a 1931 book by Hawthorne Hurst, in which the title character's name has undergone a slight name change (GOLDY GETS ALONG).
Since I like the premise of a free spirit who wants to see what the world has to offer, I was curious as to what the author may also have written. It turns out this was one of only a small handful books that Hurst wrote...one was about a flapper, and another was a satire about Christopher Columbus that was turned into a Broadway play. Apparently, Hurst died at the age of 24. I guess that is why the author is not really known today.
But there is no reason for Goldie or Lili Damita to remain unknown. Watch the movie for yourself, and I'll bet you'll agree with me that this is great entertainment.
One film that has aired a few times on TCM is a precode made by RKO that was released in early 1933. It was obviously made quickly and cheaply but it still contains a great central performance from this dynamic and talented actress. She is cast as a French girl who was adopted and brought over by a stern aunt (Jane Keckley) and uncle (Reginald Barlow). These relatives don't really like young Goldie, viewing her as rebellious and irresponsible.
In fact during the first few scenes of the movie, the entire family gathers round Goldie and chastises her for not coming home last night. One member of the family calls her a hussy. The aunt and uncle feel Goldie should marry a respectable guy in town (Charles Morton) who has taken a shine to her. Goldie does love the lug, but also wants to play around and experience more of life while she can.
Soon Goldie's impetuousness gets the better of her and she takes to the open road to explore life beyond their small-minded community. She has it in her head that she might be able to become a big movie star. She plans to travel cross country to Hollywood. Along the way, she will have many riotous adventures. Some that border on illegal.
Of course Morton chases after her. They meet up again when she has been pulled over by a motorcycle cop (Nat Pendleton). Never mind that Goldie was speeding, that's the least of her worries. She has "borrowed" the car from an amorous driver she met earlier. Pendleton has no choice but to arrest the sexy motorist and haul her off to jail. Morton intends to speak to the mayor, the judge and anyone else who will listen- to get the charges dropped.
Goldie beats the charges. But while she appreciates the help, she is still not ready to go back and continues on her way to California. Next, she meets a scam artist (Sam Hardy) and teams up with him as he journeys west. He is running a phony beauty contest, and part of the racket involves Goldie cozying up to the bigwigs that will swing the contest in her favor. Every time she "wins" in one of these podunk towns, she takes the prize of going to Hollywood, instead of the money which Hardy pockets.
That is, until Goldie gets wise and decides to start pocketing some of the dough herself. The middle portion of the film is a lot of fun to watch. Seeing Goldie work her charms on corrupt officials provides us with some memorable scenes, particularly when the men realize they've been duped and Goldie's skipped town with Hardy and the money. Miss Damita has a field day with this.
The last part of the story involves Goldie's arrival in Tinseltown. She makes some important friends and works her wiles on a few producers and studio bosses, in the hopes of snagging a movie contract. Meanwhile, Morton's character had gone ahead and is already there. He is still determined to get her to go back home with him and settle down.
I won't spoil the ending here, but Goldie does receive a contract to appear in motion pictures. So she will have to make a choice. But will it be the right choice?
GOLDIE GETS ALONG is episodic in nature, and the episodes string together nicely. This is a character-driven road comedy. It is based on a 1931 book by Hawthorne Hurst, in which the title character's name has undergone a slight name change (GOLDY GETS ALONG).
Since I like the premise of a free spirit who wants to see what the world has to offer, I was curious as to what the author may also have written. It turns out this was one of only a small handful books that Hurst wrote...one was about a flapper, and another was a satire about Christopher Columbus that was turned into a Broadway play. Apparently, Hurst died at the age of 24. I guess that is why the author is not really known today.
But there is no reason for Goldie or Lili Damita to remain unknown. Watch the movie for yourself, and I'll bet you'll agree with me that this is great entertainment.