A Garota da Quinta Avenida

The ridiculously rich (look at that mansion) and the perfectly groomed poor. Ginger Rogers proves that she was one of the best comedic, deadpan actresses of her time, even without dancing. The bratty kids, the wise ass chauffeur, the horse faced butler. The clothes, love that 1930-40's look. it must have been a real ego trip to be stinking rich during a time of world wide depression, which made the rich even richer. Great writing, acting and directing. As good as "It happened One Night". There were many movies made in 1939, a couple of them like GWTW and TW of Oz, get all the press but this movie is a gem. Walter Connolly and Verre Teasdale as high society husband and wife are great.

This film is one of my favorites, with a charming cast and fabulous characters. Ginger Rogers plays her trademark sassy and street-smart heroine effortlessly. Other standout performances are by the hapless and bewildered Walter Connolly and the often hysterical Verree Teasdale. Their children are well portrayed also, and Tim Holt has become one of my favorite actors, though he was largely undervalued throughout his career. A refreshing comedy about life and success, no matter what side of the tracks you come from.

but still a nifty comedy, boasting solid performances by Ginger Rogers (as always), Walter Connolly, Verree Teasdale, Tim Holt, Jack Carson, Franklin Pangborn, and Louis Calhern. James Ellison as the chauffeur and Kathryn Adams as the spoiled daughter are annoying. But Rogers and Connolly (in a rare starring role) take top honors as the working girl and the baffled millionaire who meet on a bench at the zoo. Lots of social commentary by director/producer Gregory La Cava, one of Hollywood's forgotten directors who was, nevertheless, a big name in the 1930s. What's missing from this film, compared to La Cava's My Man Godfrey, is a sense of zaniness among the rich. Here they are petty, nagging people while in the other, they are unrelentingly silly. Plus no one could play a fluttery matron like Alice Brady (well, maybe Billie Burke). Teasdale is OK, but this kind of part was not her forte; she seems too smart to be playing this kind of brainless twit. This is one of Connolly's best roles and he is wonderful. He died the following year. Rogers seems almost to be in an audition for 1940's Kitty Foyle. The acting style she uses in both films is similar. But Rogers was always worth watching. She has a style that allows her to get very quiet and contained, and it's very effective. While the political issues are very much the same today, it's laid on a bit thick here with the spoutings of Ellison's chauffeur and the mooning daughter. Adams strikes me as being an especially bad actress. Anyway it's worth a look. The house is incredibly cavernous and ugly. Charles Lane, Harlan Briggs, Florence Lake, Ferike Boros, Bess Flowers (as the Civil War debutante), and Alex D'Arcy co-star.

Ginger Rogers is out of work and Walter Connolly has just the job for her in "5th Ave Girl," also starring Verree Teasdale and Tim Holt.

Connolly is a pump manufacturer (not shoes, the other kind) who is filthy rich and, though he lives with his family, is estranged from them. His two brat kids pay no attention to him, and his wife is always making the gossip columns for running around - with someone and without her husband.

So he hires Ginger to shake things up and make them think he's got a life without them, too. It's a cavernous, ugly house of the kind seen in "Holiday" and so many '30s films, and it's filled with malcontents.

The daughter is in love with the chauffeur who spouts Communist propaganda and hates the rich, the wife panics when she sees Ginger, and the son, against his will, has to take over the family company because his father is so distracted with his new young girlfriend.

Rogers plays this role in an offhanded manner, with sardonic line delivery. It works fairly well but it's a little too one-note. However, you definitely catch the character's underlying fear and vulnerability. She takes life as it comes - but when it's not what she expected, she's unnerved.

Walter Connolly is excellent - I especially loved him practicing the rumba in the doorway. Verree Teasdale does a good job as the wife - attractive, imperious, and vain. Unfortunately, while Tim Holt is good as the son, he and Rogers have no chemistry, so their connection seems to come out of left field.

This is an enjoyable film but somehow it lacks spark. A little variation in Rogers' performance might have helped, and more development of the relationship between Holt and Rogers.

After a stressful business meeting, "Amalgamated Pump" millionaire Walter Connolly (as Timothy Borden) returns to his upper fifth avenue Manhattan mansion expecting to receive some "Happy Birthday" wishes. His spoiled, disinterested family has forgotten Mr. Connolly's birthday, however. Connolly goes to Central Park alone and meets sullen, disinterested Ginger Rogers (as Mary Grey). He learns the beautiful apple-chomping woman is homeless and invites Ms. Rogers to dinner. When she spends the night in his guest room, Connolly's family suddenly become interested in the old provider. Connolly invites Rogers to stay and shake up the household...

Produced and directed by Gregory La Cava, this story is similar to his "My Man Godfrey" (1936). When Connolly goes to the park, you know he's either going to be mistaken or a bum or find one; after which, we might poke fun at the idle rich and admire the hard-working poor. For good measure, handsome family chauffeur James Ellison (as Michael "Mike" Farnsbother) dabbles in Communism...

This is a good film, but it should be much better. The production looks great, the situation is fun and several one-liners work. Sadly, the top-billed cast doesn't really click. Rogers appears too elegant and serious; also, she displays little chemistry with her supporting cast, especially leading men Connolly and Tim Holt (as "Tim" Borden). La Cava should have re-cut Rogers' "kitchen knife scene" and added some romance. Rogers should have toned down her movie star looks and added more playfulness to her homeless character.

***** 5th Ave Girl (8/25/39) Gregory La Cava ~ Ginger Rogers, Walter Connolly, Tim Holt, James Ellison