La folle histoire de Roxie Hart

I just purchased the DVD of "Roxie Hart"- In my opinion it is not a classic film. The direction seems a bit clunky, and it takes a bit to get a feel for the movie.

Once that has been conquered, it is really a great ride, particularly for Ginger Rogers fans. It really is a tour-Der-force for her, and she's able to demonstrate her comic ability. She also has a couple of dance numbers, one of which is a tap piece that would make anyone appreciate her talent. It may be short, but it's great to watch.

Time and countless remakes have taken the bite out of the satire part of the film. The best way to approach it is as a straight comedy.

As such, it works very well. In fact, I was reminded of the "To War" segment of the Marx Brother's Duck Soup when the press corp broke into dancing the Black Bottom (don't get me wrong -- no comedy can cast a shadow on that classic) If you don't like Ginger Rogers, this won't change your mind. But even a casual fan should enjoy this.

The DVD picture and sound are really pristine, with rich black and white and clear audio.

Comedy fracas from Maurine Watkins' play "Chicago" (filmed previously in 1927, and remade as a musical in 2002) has gum-snapping, would-be showgirl Roxie Hart, wife to a real schlub in jazz-era Chicago, talked into putting herself at the center of an apartment shooting--because, after all, Chicago courts are sweet on dames. Satire of legal justice (and the theatricality of the law and the press) is pungent and funny without being terribly memorable. Ginger Rogers is very good in the lead, yet winking director William Wellman keeps repeating the same gags over and over; while frantically trying to stay one step ahead of the audience, Wellman tramples all comers--sapping Rogers' good will too soon. A few wonderful stand-outs remain: the jailhouse dance with the reporters, the lively courtroom antics, and the clever final tag. The story is framed in awkward flashback, the sub-plot about moll Two Gun Gertie is introduced and then dropped, and there's a semi-romance that never rises to a boil, but the film still has some big laughs and a lot of energy. **1/2 from ****

This is surely among Ginger Rogers' more popular vehicles but, ironically, one she almost did not appear in – since, being a Fox production, it was originally intended for their resident star Alice Faye (but the latter became pregnant and had to bail out: she would, in any case, have been wrong for the part). The film, of course, is based on the play "Chicago" – already filmed as a Silent in 1927 and later musicalized, resulting in the surprise Best Picture Oscar winner of 2002. Anyway, Rogers (with rather unbecoming dark hair) is the titular character who confesses to a murder on realizing this will give her the exposure she so desires!; our heroine then secures the services of a notorious shyster lawyer (energetically played by Adolphe Menjou) – since she clearly does not plan to hang for the crime – not to mention constant press coverage of the whole cause celebre (young George Montgomery actually recounts the tale, complete with a nice final twist, in flashback). The latter stages of the film's succinct and briskly-paced 75 minutes (the pared-down script is by Nunnally Johnson) are taken up by the trial – which versatile director Wellman milks for all its comic absurdity (especially given the image-conscious judge and a gullible jury swayed as much by Menjou's various ruses as Rogers' unabashed exploitation of her own sexuality). ROXIE HART has an agreeably polished look to it besides, making for an altogether sparkling entertainment package...which, according to an Italian film magazine of some years ago, was also numbered among Stanley Kubrick's 10 all-time favorite movies!!

Here is a fast paced and sassy treatment of the same true story that inspired the recent movie musical "Chicago" with Zeta-Jones and Zellweger. I have great admiration for Ginger Rogers, so when I saw Chicago I went straight to the library and borrowed this one.

The remarkable thing is that the makers of Chicago clearly studied this film in great detail. Both movies come from the same book and stage play, so the commonality in dialogue is easily explained, but the sets and costumes and camera angles are virtually identical.

With the exception of one song and dance number in Roxie Hart (which incidentally is NOT in Chicago), and a quick tap dance later on, this is NOT a musical. It stays in the real world and does not constantly segue to fantasy musical versions of the events in Roxie's mind, as Chicago does. Accordingly, it has more straight dialogue, and what witty dialogue it is! Had me laughing start to finish.

This is also a good chance to see some old character actors in their prime, doing what they do best.

Wow this was one funny lady of her day. Can you imagine transforming yourself from a dancer into a physical comedienne? She did it and did it well.

Basically what we get is a murder committed by Roxie's husband out of jealousy but a ruthless promoter tells her if she confesses to it she can't possibly go to jail or get convicted cause she's a woman and she's in Chicago and no woman ever gets convicted in Chicago. Plus, it'll help her dancing career.

From here on it's just fun hi-jinx and a really spiffy dance number in the jail with the whole cast getting involved.

Your gonna get some quick wit, a cool dance number and Ginger Rogers. That's enough for me...should be enough for you.