This Joan Crawford Film from MGM was Straddling the Line Between Pre-Post Code. A Few Things are Sanitized and Most of the Heavier Stuff is Implied Rather than Shown. But there is Alcoholism, Street Walkers, Some Disrobing, Violence Against Women, and a Few Others that are More than Implied.
Crawford is Enjoyable and Plays to Her Fan Base as a Rags-to-Riches Gal with a Moral Compass that Never Goes Fully Off Center, and is a Likable Protagonist in the Cut-Throat Depression Era.
She is Supported by a Fine Film Production with Art Deco Sets and Gowns, a Very Good Supporting Cast Including Edward Arnold, Francois Tone, Jean Dixon, Leo G. Carroll (debut), and the Always Bland and Forgettable Gene Raymond.
The Musical Numbers are Excellent Introducing "All I Do is Dream of You" and a Jazzy Rendition of "After You've Gone". The Other Tunes are Non Intrusive. The Heavy Soap-Opera Plot is More Engaging than Usual with Arnold's Irritating Drunk Character the Center of the Somewhat Tragic Story.
The Ending is Pure Hollywood Sap and Designed to Wring the Emotions and Bring the Tears and is the Most Heavy Handed of the Piece, but What Comes Before is Engaging and Interesting. Overall a Way Above Average Movie of its Type, and a Slightly Above Average Joan Crawford from Her Early Period.
Crawford is Enjoyable and Plays to Her Fan Base as a Rags-to-Riches Gal with a Moral Compass that Never Goes Fully Off Center, and is a Likable Protagonist in the Cut-Throat Depression Era.
She is Supported by a Fine Film Production with Art Deco Sets and Gowns, a Very Good Supporting Cast Including Edward Arnold, Francois Tone, Jean Dixon, Leo G. Carroll (debut), and the Always Bland and Forgettable Gene Raymond.
The Musical Numbers are Excellent Introducing "All I Do is Dream of You" and a Jazzy Rendition of "After You've Gone". The Other Tunes are Non Intrusive. The Heavy Soap-Opera Plot is More Engaging than Usual with Arnold's Irritating Drunk Character the Center of the Somewhat Tragic Story.
The Ending is Pure Hollywood Sap and Designed to Wring the Emotions and Bring the Tears and is the Most Heavy Handed of the Piece, but What Comes Before is Engaging and Interesting. Overall a Way Above Average Movie of its Type, and a Slightly Above Average Joan Crawford from Her Early Period.