Party Girl (1930)

Jay Rountree, son of a wealthy manufacturer and young, rising businessman, gets caught up in a web involving an escort service or 'party girls.' While eluding the wily Diana Holster, the ... See full summary »

Director:

Victor Halperin

Writers:

Edwin Balmer (story), George Draney (scenario),

Stars:

Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Jeanette Loff, Judith Barrie

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.	...	Jay Rountree
Jeanette Loff	...	Ellen Powell
Judith Barrie	...	Leeda Cather
Marie Prevost	...	Diana Hoster
John St. Polis	...	John Rountree
Sammy Blum	...	Sam Metten
Harry Northrup	...	Robert Lowry
Almeda Fowler	...	Maude Lindsay
Hal Price	...	Lew Albans
Charles Giblyn	...	Lawrence Doyle
Sidney D'Albrook	...	Investigator
Lucien Prival	...	Paul Newcast
Florence Dudley	...	Miss Manning
Earl Burtnett	...	Orchestra Leader (as Earl Burtnett and His Biltmore Orchestra and Trio)

Storyline

Jay Rountree, son of a wealthy manufacturer and young, rising businessman, gets caught up in a web involving an escort service or 'party girls.' While eluding the wily Diana Holster, the self-proclaimed Queen of the Party Girls, he manages to get trapped in a web spun by Leeda Cather and her supposed mother and, much to his consternation and to the surprise of his fiancée, Jay soon finds himself an unhappily married man. And, as events would show, Diana isn't all that happy, herself.

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Plot Keywords:

party | wealthy | party girl | escort girl | manufacturer | 

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Taglines:

DARINGLY DIFFERENT! (original poster - all caps)

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 January 1930 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dangerous Business

Company Credits

Production Co:

Victor Halperin Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

67 min 61 min (re-release)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film holds the record for the longest transfer from banned status to original release in UK history. It was rejected for cinema in 1930 by the BBFC and remained unreleased until 2003 when it was passed with a PG rating.

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Quotes

Ellen Powell: He's been tricked!
Diana Hoster: Tricked my ankle.

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Connections

Featured in Hollywood Uncensored (1987)

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Soundtracks

"Oh! How I Adore You"
Words and Music by Harry Stoddard and Marcy Klauber
Copyright 1930 by Shapiro, Bernstein & Co

User Reviews

Be Careful Who You Party With

Wild Women! Bootleg hooch! Hot jazz! Sequins and furs! Blackmail! Suicide! This pre-Code cautionary tale opens with a typical disclaimer stating "It is our earnest hope that this film may arouse you..." Of course, they mean arouse your indignation to help eliminate such vices as you view in this exposé. Or, do they?

Pleasant juvenile Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., headlines along with a bevy of largely talent-free "party girls". Judith Barrie has some especially embarrassing scenes, leading one to wonder whether she may have gotten her part by being a party girl. Almeda Fowler, making her film debut as Maude "Don't call me Madam" Lindsay, and veteran actor John St. Polis put in decent performances adding some humor. The well regarded Earl Burtnett and His Hotel Biltmore Orchestra from Los Angeles provides suitable jazz accompaniment.

The best scene is the party where guests arrive in their automobiles via a service elevator directly to the party. The much commented upon perfumed fountain scene seems to have been excised from the version available from Alpha Video. Altogether, this is a pleasant diversion that pushes the envelope even for pre-Code Hollywood.