Maisie

A meddlesome, but well-meaning Brooklyn showgirl(the wonderful Ann Sothern) becomes stranded and ends up on a Wyoming ranch where she falls in love with a handsome foreman(Robert Young) and attempts to clear him of a trumped-up murder charge. Based on the Wilson Collinson novel, "Dark Dame", the film was intended as a vehicle for blonde bombshell Jean Harlow, who died before the project could be lifted off the ground. The script was then given to another spicy and likable MGM contract player, Ann Sothern, who had charmed her way into the hearts of movie audiences a year earlier with her delightful turn as the wisecracking blonde in the United Artists release, TRADE WINDS. Miss Sothern's winning personality and comedic talents enabled the film to betray its low-budget status, and the picture became such a hit that it spawned no less than nine sequels, all starring the gifted Miss Sothern. "MAISIE" may not be one of MGM's confirmed classics, but it is noteworthy, however, as one of the few film series to feature a lady as the central character.

First in MGM's Maisie series starring the adorable Ann Sothern as everyone's favorite Brooklyn showgirl. Most of the movies in this series follow the same formula: Maisie loses one job but finds another, usually thanks to her love interest in that particular film. This first one has Maisie falling for a ranch foreman (Robert Young, rather unbelievable in cowboy get-up) while befriending the sad ranch owner whose wife is cheating on him.

Ann Sothern was born to play this role. It was apparently originally intended for Jean Harlow before her untimely death, but I can't imagine anyone else doing quite as good with it as Ann. She's delightful to watch. Then there's Robert Young, who tries to make the most of a real A-hole of a character. It's kind of hard to swallow that Maisie would fall for him so fast despite him treating her like crap. But "them's was the times." Ian Hunter offers solid support as the sympathetic cuckold and Ruth Hussey does a good job as the villainous wife.

The Maisie movies tend to be classified as comedies, but that's not really true. As with other MGM series like the Hardy films, these movies are mostly dramas with a little bit of comedy thrown in. Some entries have more comedy and some have less. This first one leans more on the drama. I mean, a character in this commits suicide for crying out loud. Not much humor in that. Anyway, it's an enjoyable start to an entertaining series. The darker moments add a little something to it that helps it rise above your average B movie.

MAISIE was the first in a series of ten MGM features starring the delightful Ann Sothern as a sharp-tongued Brooklyn chorus girl with a heart of gold. One way or the other, Maisie found herself in the middle of other people's problems, and, more often than not, found a reasonable solution.

The MAISIE series was made on a noticeably low-budget, but Ms. Sothern's bright and vivacious personality elevated these "B" movies to A picture status, making every entry in the series always worth watching. MAISIE is also of great historical importance because it's the first time a female was the central character of a film series.(BLONDIE doesn't count because most of the 28 films in that series revolved around Dagwood).

Though I have seen all of the films in the MAISIE series and love them all dearly, my top favorites are: MAISIE(1939), CONGO MAISIE(1940), GOLD RUSH MAISIE(1940), MAISIE WAS A LADY(1941), MAISIE GETS HER MAN(1942), and MAISIE GOES TO RENO(1944).

A very popular series was launched by MGM with Ann Sothern portraying that very wise show girl Maisie. Over the next several years Maisie would circle the globe, find herself in all kinds of situations and would dispense advice that more people ought to listen to, especially in the realm of human relations.]

This first film finds Maisie stranded in some western town where a show she was promised an engagement with has folded. The only thing in the town right at the moment is a rodeo.

Sothern after getting in a jackpot courtesy of carnival sharpie George Tobias hitches a ride in the back of Robert Young's truck. Young is the foreman of absentee ranch owner Ian Hunter and Hunter's coming to town with wife Ruth Hussey. Of course the added benefit for Hussey is she will see boyfriend paramour John Hubbard and Sothern who has befriended Hunter has discovered the relationship.

Later on Young gets himself in quite a jackpot after Hunter's demise and it's up to Sothern to straighten the situation out.

The plot of this inaugural Maisie film is thin and rather obvious. But Sothern puts her character over with skill. Ruth Hussey has the other really meaty part, a cold forbidding gold digger of a woman whom Hunter has fallen hopelessly in love with. It's the basis for tragedy.

There's a happy ever ending in this film, but it was not fated to be because Sothern was on the road again in her next Maisie film.

Ann Sothern could enliven any production and any script, gracing both with her talent, beauty and unusual voice. "Maisie," the first in a series of films about one Miss Maisie Ravier, is no exception. Despite being made on a shoestring, watching Ann Sothern is a delight. She plays a showgirl who is left stranded when the show folds before she arrives. Desperate for work, she takes a job in a carnival, where she meets Slim (Robert Young), a woman-hating cowboy. She stows away in his truck and then assigns herself as a maid to the wife (Ruth Hussey) of Slim's boss (Ian Hunter) when they arrive. Mr. and Mrs. Ames are there to repair their marriage, which was nearly ruined by Mrs. Ames' infidelity. It doesn't take long for anyone to realize that she's a tramp and still at it. This leads to tragedy, and it's up to Maisie to save the day.

Sothern makes the film entertaining - Maisie has a smart mouth and is very enterprising. I can't agree with one poster that this was the first series to have a woman as the main character because the Torchy Blane series started two years before Maisie. Ian Hunter gives a very gentle performance as Mr. Ames, Ruth Hussey is appropriately conniving, and Robert Young is miscast. It's not the first time.

Although I haven't seen the rest of the series yet, apparently they're done as separate entities, because from looking at the cast lists, it doesn't appear that the Young character is in the other films, unless the reason is subsequently explained. I originally thought this might be the last film instead of the first. Well, they promise to be interesting. Anything with Ann Sothern usually is.