"The Hard Way" just about sums up the plot of the film. It is an exercise in how achieving success can come with its own price tag. The events that unfold, take place via a flashback after the opening scene shows Ida Lupino being picked up by the police. Lupino plays a character who's life and that of her younger sister (Joan Leslie), is confined to being stuck in a rut in a small, unimportant town. They both struggle on a daily basis until Leslie displays a natural talent for singing and dancing. As a result, Lupino uses every trick and advantage at her disposal in pushing her sister to the top in show business. The older sister doesn't care who she has to use or who gets hurt in the process. After a while, Leslie begins to develop a conscience regarding her sister's behaviour and the problems begin..... We are given a more accurate portrayal of how showbusiness tends to function in an undiluted form. Jack Carson and Dennis Morgan play a vaudeville act who are initially of some use to Lupino. Carson does very well as he is successfully cast against type. He usually was cast in light-hearted films at "Warner Bros" as well- meaning but clumsy characters. In "The Hard Way," he is a more tragic character and a victim to the scheming that goes on. Ida Lupino gives one of the best performances of her career and she bristles with a fiery passion. Joan Leslie compliments her fellow lead perfectly and is given a more mature role to play. The writing is of a high calibre, as is the direction.
Review of The Hard Way
The Hard Way
(1943)
Lupino and Leslie take centre stage in story about the pitfalls of success.
30 August 2017