Great Little Film
Nifty and fast-paced pre-Code film has Helen Chandler homeless and starving, so she tosses a brick through a drugstore window so she can be arrest and get some food and sleep. But the tables are turned by big-hearted cop (Charles Bickford) takes her under his wing and into his apartment to look after her. He also gets her a job as a chorus girl where she attracts the attention of slimy Val (George Meeker) who preys upon women.
Seems he's also been robbing fading star Fern Cavan (Mayo Methot) blind, and when she quits her starring role in the show, he cleans out her safe and leaves to flat, using the money to lure Chandler into his "high life." Chandler takes the bait after she gives up waiting for Bickford to take a romantic interest in her. But when the faded star realizes her money is gone, she goes into action.
Helen Chandler is wonderful and remains one of the underrated stars of early talkies. Charles Bickford is good in a rare sympathetic role. George Meeker is appropriately oily, and Mayo Method, best remembered as one of Bogart's wives, has a solid role and is quite good as the troubled star. The print I have from Sony MOD is excellent.
Seems he's also been robbing fading star Fern Cavan (Mayo Methot) blind, and when she quits her starring role in the show, he cleans out her safe and leaves to flat, using the money to lure Chandler into his "high life." Chandler takes the bait after she gives up waiting for Bickford to take a romantic interest in her. But when the faded star realizes her money is gone, she goes into action.
Helen Chandler is wonderful and remains one of the underrated stars of early talkies. Charles Bickford is good in a rare sympathetic role. George Meeker is appropriately oily, and Mayo Method, best remembered as one of Bogart's wives, has a solid role and is quite good as the troubled star. The print I have from Sony MOD is excellent.
- drednm
- Dec 24, 2014