....it gives the film a bit of interest even though the story was pretty daring for pre-code days!! Obviously when a script called for a "mother alone" the call went out to "get Evalyn Knapp" and having her play the role as dewy eyed as possible made all the sordid details seem like a dream!! She had progressed from shorts to a breakthrough role in "Sinner's Holiday" and she was lovely in it but when your co-stars are James Cagney and Joan Blondell you don't have much of a chance to grab the spotlight. Evalyn was kept busy over at poverty row where she co-starred with the down and out James Murray and was also given her share of "sin" pictures as well!!
Similarly plotted to "Glorifying the American Girl" (Gloria Shea also has a part) one of the surprising things is that Edward Nugent has the "caddish" role. I didn't think he ever played roles that weren't the decent, upstanding hero although his small part in "42nd Street" showed he could be a heel when the occasion arose. Joe and Sally play a tired double act ("Pitter and Patter") in the sticks - from the film's start whatever love there was has long since gone out the window. Joe is belittling and demeaning and always on the look out for a main chance -namely magician's assistant Cleo (Shea). Once again Mae Busch as Lou, the acidic agent steals the show with her constant wise cracks!! She can see the writing on the wall for the soggy duo but didn't predict that Joe would leave Sally holding the baby!!
If you have ever seen one of these early thirties "the show must go on" type films you know the score. With Lou's support Sally goes on to success, thanks to a song she has written (was there anyone watching the movie who really believed that that lilting soprano belonged to Miss Knapp!!) and finds a devoted admirer in producer Wade Valentine. I have seen Alan Dinehart in a sympathetic part ("The Crosby Case" and I think "The Sin of Norah Moran") but more often than not he was the slimiest of killers or the oiliest of blackmaillers. He wants to marry her and even knows all about the baby but she still carries a torch for Joe!!
Where is Joe?? He has been made to eat very humble pie coming to a realization that he is not the bee's knees and after working as a walking billboard has now come up in the world with a job as a drinks waiter!! Joe hasn't shed all his irritating ways but will Sally show some sense and pick the decent guy who has treated her like a princess all along?? I ask you!!! The film is classified as a musical but like a lot of these poverty row musicals the songs are very forgettable, even one performed in top hat and tails by an actress called Ada Mae and called "It Takes a Lot of Jack" etc..
Similarly plotted to "Glorifying the American Girl" (Gloria Shea also has a part) one of the surprising things is that Edward Nugent has the "caddish" role. I didn't think he ever played roles that weren't the decent, upstanding hero although his small part in "42nd Street" showed he could be a heel when the occasion arose. Joe and Sally play a tired double act ("Pitter and Patter") in the sticks - from the film's start whatever love there was has long since gone out the window. Joe is belittling and demeaning and always on the look out for a main chance -namely magician's assistant Cleo (Shea). Once again Mae Busch as Lou, the acidic agent steals the show with her constant wise cracks!! She can see the writing on the wall for the soggy duo but didn't predict that Joe would leave Sally holding the baby!!
If you have ever seen one of these early thirties "the show must go on" type films you know the score. With Lou's support Sally goes on to success, thanks to a song she has written (was there anyone watching the movie who really believed that that lilting soprano belonged to Miss Knapp!!) and finds a devoted admirer in producer Wade Valentine. I have seen Alan Dinehart in a sympathetic part ("The Crosby Case" and I think "The Sin of Norah Moran") but more often than not he was the slimiest of killers or the oiliest of blackmaillers. He wants to marry her and even knows all about the baby but she still carries a torch for Joe!!
Where is Joe?? He has been made to eat very humble pie coming to a realization that he is not the bee's knees and after working as a walking billboard has now come up in the world with a job as a drinks waiter!! Joe hasn't shed all his irritating ways but will Sally show some sense and pick the decent guy who has treated her like a princess all along?? I ask you!!! The film is classified as a musical but like a lot of these poverty row musicals the songs are very forgettable, even one performed in top hat and tails by an actress called Ada Mae and called "It Takes a Lot of Jack" etc..
