The Shopworn Angel (1938)

During WWI Bill Pettigrew, a naive young Texan soldier is sent to New York for basic training. He meets worldly wise actress Daisy Heath when her car nearly runs him over. Daisy agrees to ... See full summary »

Director:

H.C. Potter

Writers:

Waldo Salt (screen play), Dana Burnet (based on a story by),

Stars:

Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Walter Pidgeon

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Margaret Sullavan	...	Daisy Heath
James Stewart	...	Bill Pettigrew
Walter Pidgeon	...	Sam Bailey
Hattie McDaniel	...	Martha
Nat Pendleton	...	'Dice'
Alan Curtis	...	Thin Lips
Sam Levene	...	'Leer'
Eleanor Lynn	...	Sally
Charles D. Brown	...	McGonigle
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Charley Grapewin	...	Wilson - Caretaker (scenes deleted)

Storyline

During WWI Bill Pettigrew, a naive young Texan soldier is sent to New York for basic training. He meets worldly wise actress Daisy Heath when her car nearly runs him over. Daisy agrees to pretend to be Bill's girl to impress his friends, but then a real romance begins.

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Plot Keywords:

soldier | showgirl | impersonation | ménage à trois | brooklyn new york city | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 July 1938 (USA)

Also Known As:

El ángel negro

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mary Martin provides the singing voice for Margaret Sullavan. This same year she also dubbed the singing voice for Gypsy Rose Lee in "The Battle of Broadway."

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Goofs

When at his Connecticut cottage, Sam asks Daisy, "What about Bill Bailey? You won't see him again?" Bill's surname is not Bailey but Pettigrew. Bailey is actually Sam's own surname.

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Quotes

Daisy Heath: Well what are they doing? throwing sugar cubes at one another?

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Connections

Version of That Kind of Woman (1959)

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Soundtracks

"You're in the Army Now"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played as background music for marching soldiers

User Reviews

Shopworn plot gets a lift from three charming leads...

There's no doubt that THE SHOPWORN ANGEL uses a plot that has been used countless times in movies and books over the years. It's the story of a selfish actress (MARGARET SULLAVAN) suddenly succumbing to the country boy charm of a soldier (JAMES STEWART) who is about to be sent overseas in WWII. Meanwhile, she has her agent WALTER PIDGEON, whom she depends upon for emotional support and love. Surely, there is nothing new about the bare outline of the plot.

But what works in the story's favor is the simplicity and charm of the three leads. Sullavan is more radiant than usual as a glamorous actress rather than the drab little wren she usually played and she plays her part in a refreshing manner that is almost able to overcome the idea that she should suddenly turn so noble. Despite this flaw in the characterization, it's a very winning performance that she gives.

Likewise, JAMES STEWART does wonders with a thinly devised role of the country bumpkin who falls impetuously in love with an actress, even to the point of asking her to marry him before he goes overseas. At this point, the plot's outcome becomes telegraphed because we know this is a Margaret Sullavan film and tearful romantic dramas have been her specialty. Thus, the ending becomes a forgone conclusion.

WALTER PIDGEON is her kindly suitor who has the wisdom to make the best of a situation he's not exactly comfortable with. He anchors the story with his sensitive performance as the man who can always be depended on to give the heroine the emotional support she needs. He's also got an abundant sense of humor that the story needs.

It's a trifle of a film, but beautifully acted and given a lift by the winsome performances of its three leads, moving at a brisk pace to the Hollywood ending. HATTIE McDANIEL is her usual delightful self as Miss Sullvan's down-to-earth maid.