Saw 'Ladies of Leisure' for two reasons. One was Barbara Stanwyck, one of cinema's greatest actresses of her generation, in just her fourth film and third with sound (tending to be called talkies). In even her weakest efforts, she very nearly always rose above her material and was amazing at her best. The other for Frank Capra, a great director specialising in feel good and sentimental films and unsurpassed in those in his day perhaps ('It's a Wonderful Life' being a prime example.
Both are done justice in 'Ladies of Leisure' and come off really well. Stanwyck's performance and Capra's direction are better generally than the overall film itself, though the photography and supporting cast also come off well. The story though is patchy and the leading man does not really impress. 'Ladies of Leisure' is not a great film by all means, but it is to me an entertaining and moving film with many fine merits and definitely worth watching.
'Ladies of Leisure' has its drawbacks. Its biggest one being Ralph Graves, who is far too stiff and vacuous as a character that never becomes properly developed. His chemistry with Stanwyck doesn't have enough warmth.
The film could have been better in the story department too, which can have its dull and not eventful enough stretches and it can be pretty stage-bound too.
However, 'Ladies of Leiusre' is a lovely looking film. Very elegantly produced and costumed, made even better by the beautifully dream-like images the photography evokes. The lighting is also very atmospheric, with a standout image being Stanwyck on the couch. The dialogue is smart and amusing, with some nice sophistication, and while the story is patchy it benefits from its charm and a very poignant and not overly-sentimental ending. The supporting cast are fine, Lowell Sherman is appropriately caddish, Marie Prevost relishes her amusing wisecracking and Nance O'Neill is sincere. Only Graves doesn't convince.
Alongside the photography, what were particularly good here were Capra's direction and Stanwyck. Capra's direction, even in just his fifth sound picture, has his distinctive touch and he approaches the material delicately and not with a heavy hand and he does generate some momentum. Even better is Stanwyck, who is stunning. Luminous and she delivers the emotional moments heart-rendingly with no signs of overacting, actually very restrained.
On the whole, didn't blow me away but with a lot of note-worthy things. 7/10
Both are done justice in 'Ladies of Leisure' and come off really well. Stanwyck's performance and Capra's direction are better generally than the overall film itself, though the photography and supporting cast also come off well. The story though is patchy and the leading man does not really impress. 'Ladies of Leisure' is not a great film by all means, but it is to me an entertaining and moving film with many fine merits and definitely worth watching.
'Ladies of Leisure' has its drawbacks. Its biggest one being Ralph Graves, who is far too stiff and vacuous as a character that never becomes properly developed. His chemistry with Stanwyck doesn't have enough warmth.
The film could have been better in the story department too, which can have its dull and not eventful enough stretches and it can be pretty stage-bound too.
However, 'Ladies of Leiusre' is a lovely looking film. Very elegantly produced and costumed, made even better by the beautifully dream-like images the photography evokes. The lighting is also very atmospheric, with a standout image being Stanwyck on the couch. The dialogue is smart and amusing, with some nice sophistication, and while the story is patchy it benefits from its charm and a very poignant and not overly-sentimental ending. The supporting cast are fine, Lowell Sherman is appropriately caddish, Marie Prevost relishes her amusing wisecracking and Nance O'Neill is sincere. Only Graves doesn't convince.
Alongside the photography, what were particularly good here were Capra's direction and Stanwyck. Capra's direction, even in just his fifth sound picture, has his distinctive touch and he approaches the material delicately and not with a heavy hand and he does generate some momentum. Even better is Stanwyck, who is stunning. Luminous and she delivers the emotional moments heart-rendingly with no signs of overacting, actually very restrained.
On the whole, didn't blow me away but with a lot of note-worthy things. 7/10