Although the screenplay could have used a lot of tightening up, I Found Stella Parish is certainly great Kay Francis. She plays four roles, really: the great stage actress with a secret, the dowdy auntie, the great stage actress ruined after her secret comes out and the great stage actress reborn.
Forgive me for this next because Sybil Jason has said lovely things about working with Kay, but child actors are hard to stomach. I don't much mind Baby Leroy with W. C. Fields (in teentsy doses) but - oh please! - why do child actor scenes go on and on and on. They also frequently feature agonizing songs with the adorable tots and totlets while the adults (who you would Much Rather Watch) sit by smiling. Did 1930's moviegoers enjoy this kind of stuff? OOf! Ian Hunter, one of my favorite Kay co-stars, is thoroughly enjoyable although I could have kicked his character around the block a few times before he redeems himself at the end.
I've never disliked Paul Lukas in anything and this film is no exception. Too bad that he doesn't "get the girl," here because - honestly - they have a lot more in common than the actress and the reporter.
Engaging.
Forgive me for this next because Sybil Jason has said lovely things about working with Kay, but child actors are hard to stomach. I don't much mind Baby Leroy with W. C. Fields (in teentsy doses) but - oh please! - why do child actor scenes go on and on and on. They also frequently feature agonizing songs with the adorable tots and totlets while the adults (who you would Much Rather Watch) sit by smiling. Did 1930's moviegoers enjoy this kind of stuff? OOf! Ian Hunter, one of my favorite Kay co-stars, is thoroughly enjoyable although I could have kicked his character around the block a few times before he redeems himself at the end.
I've never disliked Paul Lukas in anything and this film is no exception. Too bad that he doesn't "get the girl," here because - honestly - they have a lot more in common than the actress and the reporter.
Engaging.