Prosperity is a comedy/drama that was very timely in 1932. It concerns bank closures. In the last of the Films that Dressler starred in with Polly Moran, she plays a bank president who saves her town. Lots of plots twists but basically a star vehicle for a great star--Marie Dressler. She can ham and mug her way thru anything and always get a laugh, but when Dressler played dramatic scenes, no one could touch her. No art. Nothing arch. Just her her old, worn, wonderful face to put across the feeling. That Marie Dressler is largely forgotten now except for her rather gauche comedy style (a style that Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett borrowed from liberally) is a pity. In Prosperity as well and Min and Bill, Anna Christie, Tugboat Annie, Emma, and Politics, she proves she was a fine dramatic actress. As a comic she ranks among the all-time best.
Polly Moran plays another hateful character, but plays it well. Anita Page, Norman Foster, Henry Armetta, Claire du Brey, and Frank Darien co-star. Rather dark ending is salvaged by low comedy, but somehow it all works.
Polly Moran plays another hateful character, but plays it well. Anita Page, Norman Foster, Henry Armetta, Claire du Brey, and Frank Darien co-star. Rather dark ending is salvaged by low comedy, but somehow it all works.