A poor but beautiful girl named Jeanne takes part in a beauty contest but fails to be crowned its queen. Nevertheless both her determination and her shapely figure impress Sal Satori, the ... See full summary »
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A poor but beautiful girl named Jeanne takes part in a beauty contest but fails to be crowned its queen. Nevertheless both her determination and her shapely figure impress Sal Satori, the organizer, so much that he gives her a job as a carnival dancer. He becomes her friend and, before long, her great love. However, being a hootchie-kootchie dancer is not Jeanne's dream: she wants to be an actress. That is why Jeanne takes advantage of the Satori company being in New York to consult a renowned drama teacher, Mrs. Neilson. The latter thinks she CAN act and she is proved right since the audience of the first play Jeanne is in responds favorably. But Jeanne will only feel wholly satisfied when she acquires star status. She soon obtains the part which will lead her to stardom by stealing it from Elsie Desmond, an aging actress who planned a comeback through it. In desperation, Elsie commits suicide. Although feeling somewhat guilty, Jeanne openly relishes her triumph, which upsets her ... Written by
Guy Bellinger
As with most film biographies, this film is more screenwriter's fancy than fact. Among other things, Jeanne Eagels was never a carnival dancer and was never known to have been the cause of another performer's suicide. Further, the character of Sal Satori was a fictional compilation character based upon several men in Ms. Eagels's life. See more »
Goofs
During a carnival scene at Coney Island, the music in the background is The Victory Polka which was written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn during World War II and not yet written for a film set in the Roaring Twenties. See more »
I saw this film only once, when I was a kid, but I still remember it, and I loved it. I have been hoping to see it again someday and am disappointed that it is not available even on video. Not only was Kim Novak, she of the lavender blonde hair, gorgeous, she was really just right for this movie. The story was interesting too. Yes, I know, TRUTH is hardly the most valued element in screen biopics, but since I knew nothing about Jeanne Eagels then (and, indeed, know little now--let's face it, there isn't a whole lot of information about her available) it was fascinating to see a story about an actress in the 1920s. Yes, somebody should do a more realistic remake, but put this one out too. Whether the story is factual or not, seeing Kim in the role is a reward in itself. I really can't think of an actress today who could match Kim's performance--she might be more like the real Jeanne Eagels, but Kim Novak's Jeanne shouldn't be lost. Put out the DVD-- you've got one customer for sure. Here's hoping.
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I saw this film only once, when I was a kid, but I still remember it, and I loved it. I have been hoping to see it again someday and am disappointed that it is not available even on video. Not only was Kim Novak, she of the lavender blonde hair, gorgeous, she was really just right for this movie. The story was interesting too. Yes, I know, TRUTH is hardly the most valued element in screen biopics, but since I knew nothing about Jeanne Eagels then (and, indeed, know little now--let's face it, there isn't a whole lot of information about her available) it was fascinating to see a story about an actress in the 1920s. Yes, somebody should do a more realistic remake, but put this one out too. Whether the story is factual or not, seeing Kim in the role is a reward in itself. I really can't think of an actress today who could match Kim's performance--she might be more like the real Jeanne Eagels, but Kim Novak's Jeanne shouldn't be lost. Put out the DVD-- you've got one customer for sure. Here's hoping.