Saleslady is not a bad picture from Monogram, but this same story had it been
done at a place like MGM would have been done so much better. The premise of
the plot isn't bad, but the execution shows the lack of production values that
so typified these B films from Poverty Row studios.
Anne Nagel is concerned and rightfully so that she as the rich heiress of mattress
king Harry Davenport will be courted by men who will be interested in her
money. So she gets an apartment and a job in Chicago as a Saleslady and meets earnest Weldon Heyburn who is determined to get ahead. They fall
in love and marry and live on his salary.
But unexpected things do happen and eventually she has to reveal that she's
an heiress. I think one can figure out where this is going.
If this had been done at MGM with someone like Robert Montgomery in the
lead and Carole Lombard as the heiress, given their production values and the
talent and charisma of performers that I mentioned it would have been a winner. But Heyburn is earnest and oh so dull. Nagel does all right, but
she isn't close to a Carole Lombard.
Best in the cast is Harry Davenport playing foxy grandpa, a part he played a
couple dozen times or so. Be it MGM or be it Monogram, Davenport always
gives it his best.
Saleslady could probably use a restoration, but that's not likely to happen.