"Goldie LaFarge" ( Lili Damita ) is determined to get out to Hollywood, to be discovered. She stays out all night, and doesn't care who knows. Of course, her boyfriend "Bill" (Charles Morton) might have something to say about it, as well as the family with which she lives. Black and white film buffs will recognize Nat Pendleton as the motorcycle cop. Pendleton usually played the thug, the wrestler, or the goofy older brother. Bill keeps bailing Goldie out of trouble, and wants to marry her. Goldie's actions are pretty un-even... she pretends to be horrified and rebuffs the men that try to take advantage of her, and in the very next scene, she bats her eyelashes and uses her baby voice and wiles to try to get rides, money, and whatever she can get. Damita had come over from France, and her accent is still pretty strong in this one, in spite of being in Hollywood for several years. Another uncredited appearance by Walter Brennan, as the stuttering waiter. Wow, he had so many uncredited roles, right up to the mid-1930s. The sound quality is pretty hit or miss, but it's not surprising, as talkies had only been around a couple years. Towards the middle, there is a background equipment buzzing sound that disappears after a while. Another RKO shortie. That ending leaves us with a strange taste... there's good news, and there's bad news. Pretty mixed messages there. Directed by Malcolm St. Clair, who had directed many a Hollywood big shot. He directed Laurel & Hardy, as well as Harold Lloyd and even Buster Keaton. We'll call this one "just okay". weird daydream sequence towards the end... was probably hailed as "great special effects" at the time, but just looks amateurish by today's standard. Only rated 4 out of 10, but of course, only 38 votes at this point.
8 Reviews
Like the Movie, Not Very Far
boblipton26 July 2017
There were a lot of cynical movies made about Hollywood. The various versions of A STAR IS BORN are the best known of them. GOLDIE GETS ALONG is a lesser work.
Lily Damita is a French girl stuck in New Jersey. Thinking she has a chance in Hollywood, she breaks with her obnoxious foster family, abandons her fiancé, Charles Morton, and strikes out for Tinseltown. She uses various questionable tactics to achieve her goal -- the Production Code had not come into full force when this movie was released -- albeit nothing that would offend Joseph Breen beyond repair. Eventually she winds up in Hollywood, to discover that her struggles have only begun.
While there are some interesting bits and pieces in this movie (keep an eye out for Walter Brennan as a stammering waiter), it never aspires to be more than a programmer, leaving its leads to carry it along its over-edited length. Alas, they don't succeed very well. Miss Damita's career would end later in the decade, when she would retire to the career of being Errol Flynn's wife. This would be Mr. Morton's last major credit in any movie, although he would continue for decades as an uncredited extra.
Lily Damita is a French girl stuck in New Jersey. Thinking she has a chance in Hollywood, she breaks with her obnoxious foster family, abandons her fiancé, Charles Morton, and strikes out for Tinseltown. She uses various questionable tactics to achieve her goal -- the Production Code had not come into full force when this movie was released -- albeit nothing that would offend Joseph Breen beyond repair. Eventually she winds up in Hollywood, to discover that her struggles have only begun.
While there are some interesting bits and pieces in this movie (keep an eye out for Walter Brennan as a stammering waiter), it never aspires to be more than a programmer, leaving its leads to carry it along its over-edited length. Alas, they don't succeed very well. Miss Damita's career would end later in the decade, when she would retire to the career of being Errol Flynn's wife. This would be Mr. Morton's last major credit in any movie, although he would continue for decades as an uncredited extra.
One sly little minx
bkoganbing11 September 2020
Watching Goldie Gets Along I think I was viewing one of the great tease roles of all time. Lili Damita better known as the first Mrs. Errol Flynn plays a woman who
cab charm the heck out of the male of the species.
Damita has one goal in Goldie Gets Along to get to Hollywood and she works a beauty contest racket right across the country. She promises but never comes around to coming across with the goods for the various gullible judges. It nearly winds her up in the slammer.
Other than Nat Pendleton as a motorcycle cop and Walter Brennan in a bit role as a stuttering waiter I doubt anyone would know most of the cast. Damita's leading man Charles Morton was of the most bland variety.
Goldie Gets Along has its moments, but it's a most dated film.
Damita has one goal in Goldie Gets Along to get to Hollywood and she works a beauty contest racket right across the country. She promises but never comes around to coming across with the goods for the various gullible judges. It nearly winds her up in the slammer.
Other than Nat Pendleton as a motorcycle cop and Walter Brennan in a bit role as a stuttering waiter I doubt anyone would know most of the cast. Damita's leading man Charles Morton was of the most bland variety.
Goldie Gets Along has its moments, but it's a most dated film.
As bad as they come
JohnSeal29 July 2006
Warning: Spoilers
There is virtually nothing to recommend about this stale, unfunny, unromantic romantic comedy from RKO. The problem starts with star Lili Damita, who clearly is being groomed here as a junior grade Marlene Dietrich. Unfortunately, she is a strictly one dimensional simulacrum, and her performance as a misbehaving French girl trying to stay out of trouble in small town Springfield is dreadful. Equally inept is the romantic partner she's given, Charles Morton, who turns his quiet, unassuming character into the cinematic equivalent of a corpse. Boring doesn't begin to describe him. As always, it's good fun to see Nat Pendleton--here cast as a motorcycle cop--but his role is too small to outweigh the slow moving horror show that is Goldie Gets Along. Proof that not everything from the '30s is a classic--or even adequate.
Lili Damita as Goldie
jarrodmcdonald-16 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Not long ago I watched a Paramount precode starring Lili Damita, and I was impressed with her performance. I realized that I didn't know much about her, except for her being Errol Flynn's first wife. As I read up on her background, I was intrigued and eager to find more of her film work...especially since not much of it ever airs on Turner Movie Classics.
One film that has aired a few times on TCM is a precode made by RKO that was released in early 1933. It was obviously made quickly and cheaply but it still contains a great central performance from this dynamic and talented actress. She is cast as a French girl who was adopted and brought over by a stern aunt (Jane Keckley) and uncle (Reginald Barlow). These relatives don't really like young Goldie, viewing her as rebellious and irresponsible.
In fact during the first few scenes of the movie, the entire family gathers round Goldie and chastises her for not coming home last night. One member of the family calls her a hussy. The aunt and uncle feel Goldie should marry a respectable guy in town (Charles Morton) who has taken a shine to her. Goldie does love the lug, but also wants to play around and experience more of life while she can.
Soon Goldie's impetuousness gets the better of her and she takes to the open road to explore life beyond their small-minded community. She has it in her head that she might be able to become a big movie star. She plans to travel cross country to Hollywood. Along the way, she will have many riotous adventures. Some that border on illegal.
Of course Morton chases after her. They meet up again when she has been pulled over by a motorcycle cop (Nat Pendleton). Never mind that Goldie was speeding, that's the least of her worries. She has "borrowed" the car from an amorous driver she met earlier. Pendleton has no choice but to arrest the sexy motorist and haul her off to jail. Morton intends to speak to the mayor, the judge and anyone else who will listen- to get the charges dropped.
Goldie beats the charges. But while she appreciates the help, she is still not ready to go back and continues on her way to California. Next, she meets a scam artist (Sam Hardy) and teams up with him as he journeys west. He is running a phony beauty contest, and part of the racket involves Goldie cozying up to the bigwigs that will swing the contest in her favor. Every time she "wins" in one of these podunk towns, she takes the prize of going to Hollywood, instead of the money which Hardy pockets.
That is, until Goldie gets wise and decides to start pocketing some of the dough herself. The middle portion of the film is a lot of fun to watch. Seeing Goldie work her charms on corrupt officials provides us with some memorable scenes, particularly when the men realize they've been duped and Goldie's skipped town with Hardy and the money. Miss Damita has a field day with this.
The last part of the story involves Goldie's arrival in Tinseltown. She makes some important friends and works her wiles on a few producers and studio bosses, in the hopes of snagging a movie contract. Meanwhile, Morton's character had gone ahead and is already there. He is still determined to get her to go back home with him and settle down.
I won't spoil the ending here, but Goldie does receive a contract to appear in motion pictures. So she will have to make a choice. But will it be the right choice?
GOLDIE GETS ALONG is episodic in nature, and the episodes string together nicely. This is a character-driven road comedy. It is based on a 1931 book by Hawthorne Hurst, in which the title character's name has undergone a slight name change (GOLDY GETS ALONG).
Since I like the premise of a free spirit who wants to see what the world has to offer, I was curious as to what the author may also have written. It turns out this was one of only a small handful books that Hurst wrote...one was about a flapper, and another was a satire about Christopher Columbus that was turned into a Broadway play. Apparently, Hurst died at the age of 24. I guess that is why the author is not really known today.
But there is no reason for Goldie or Lili Damita to remain unknown. Watch the movie for yourself, and I'll bet you'll agree with me that this is great entertainment.
One film that has aired a few times on TCM is a precode made by RKO that was released in early 1933. It was obviously made quickly and cheaply but it still contains a great central performance from this dynamic and talented actress. She is cast as a French girl who was adopted and brought over by a stern aunt (Jane Keckley) and uncle (Reginald Barlow). These relatives don't really like young Goldie, viewing her as rebellious and irresponsible.
In fact during the first few scenes of the movie, the entire family gathers round Goldie and chastises her for not coming home last night. One member of the family calls her a hussy. The aunt and uncle feel Goldie should marry a respectable guy in town (Charles Morton) who has taken a shine to her. Goldie does love the lug, but also wants to play around and experience more of life while she can.
Soon Goldie's impetuousness gets the better of her and she takes to the open road to explore life beyond their small-minded community. She has it in her head that she might be able to become a big movie star. She plans to travel cross country to Hollywood. Along the way, she will have many riotous adventures. Some that border on illegal.
Of course Morton chases after her. They meet up again when she has been pulled over by a motorcycle cop (Nat Pendleton). Never mind that Goldie was speeding, that's the least of her worries. She has "borrowed" the car from an amorous driver she met earlier. Pendleton has no choice but to arrest the sexy motorist and haul her off to jail. Morton intends to speak to the mayor, the judge and anyone else who will listen- to get the charges dropped.
Goldie beats the charges. But while she appreciates the help, she is still not ready to go back and continues on her way to California. Next, she meets a scam artist (Sam Hardy) and teams up with him as he journeys west. He is running a phony beauty contest, and part of the racket involves Goldie cozying up to the bigwigs that will swing the contest in her favor. Every time she "wins" in one of these podunk towns, she takes the prize of going to Hollywood, instead of the money which Hardy pockets.
That is, until Goldie gets wise and decides to start pocketing some of the dough herself. The middle portion of the film is a lot of fun to watch. Seeing Goldie work her charms on corrupt officials provides us with some memorable scenes, particularly when the men realize they've been duped and Goldie's skipped town with Hardy and the money. Miss Damita has a field day with this.
The last part of the story involves Goldie's arrival in Tinseltown. She makes some important friends and works her wiles on a few producers and studio bosses, in the hopes of snagging a movie contract. Meanwhile, Morton's character had gone ahead and is already there. He is still determined to get her to go back home with him and settle down.
I won't spoil the ending here, but Goldie does receive a contract to appear in motion pictures. So she will have to make a choice. But will it be the right choice?
GOLDIE GETS ALONG is episodic in nature, and the episodes string together nicely. This is a character-driven road comedy. It is based on a 1931 book by Hawthorne Hurst, in which the title character's name has undergone a slight name change (GOLDY GETS ALONG).
Since I like the premise of a free spirit who wants to see what the world has to offer, I was curious as to what the author may also have written. It turns out this was one of only a small handful books that Hurst wrote...one was about a flapper, and another was a satire about Christopher Columbus that was turned into a Broadway play. Apparently, Hurst died at the age of 24. I guess that is why the author is not really known today.
But there is no reason for Goldie or Lili Damita to remain unknown. Watch the movie for yourself, and I'll bet you'll agree with me that this is great entertainment.
not worth watching
sandlot-1627225 July 2017
For a 30's classic this is not worth watching. I had trouble finishing the movie. At first I thought I should like all classic movies but this one is bad. Nat Pendleton is funny in this movie but we don't see enough of him. She tries to be a "naughty" girl from a small town but it goes off as phony.
No woman is THAT vivacious.
planktonrules11 September 2020
I noticed that there were a few reviews which gave this film a 1. Well, that seems overly harsh, though I must admit that this isn't a great film. The biggest problem was that in the story, Goldie (Lily Damita) is supposed to be so vivacious that all men are putty in her hands. She's so pretty that she wins seven beauty contests in a row! But the problem is no woman is that amazing....and Damita isn't the best choice for this if you are going to write a plot like this. I know I sound a bit harsh...but she couldn't carry it off nor could 99% of the actresses in Hollywood!
The film begins in the small town of Springfield. Goldie (Damita) is out all night and her aunt and uncle and the rest of the family attack her for her loose morals. Of course, they are all a bunch of stick-in-the-muds...and Goldie storms out...vowing to never return. Her boyfriend, Bill (Charles Morton) wants her to marry him and stay in smalltown America....but Goldie wants to go to Hollywood and make something of herself.
During her trip west, she gets involved in all sorts of shady activities...which are NOT her fault but which seriously derail her journey. The worst is a total jerk who runs phony beauty contests. She wins seven in a row...all offering trips of Hollywood or cash...and she sees none of this and exposes the fraud.
Once in Hollywood, she finds that breaking into pictures isn't as easy as she thought. And, soon the crook with the beauty contests comes looking for her to exact his revenge...though this makes no sense as the last time you saw him in the film he was about to be cross-examined by a district attorney because of the fraud! What's next? See the film...or not.
So is it any good? Not especially. Much of it is as I mentioned above...no one is THAT vivacious and Goldie gets men to do her bidding so easily....too easily. Additionally, some parts of this B-movie just are indifferently written..and the ending was just awful! Not a terrible film but certainly one that leaves you wondering WHY Damita was a famous leading lady when she married young Errol Flynn in 1935.
The film begins in the small town of Springfield. Goldie (Damita) is out all night and her aunt and uncle and the rest of the family attack her for her loose morals. Of course, they are all a bunch of stick-in-the-muds...and Goldie storms out...vowing to never return. Her boyfriend, Bill (Charles Morton) wants her to marry him and stay in smalltown America....but Goldie wants to go to Hollywood and make something of herself.
During her trip west, she gets involved in all sorts of shady activities...which are NOT her fault but which seriously derail her journey. The worst is a total jerk who runs phony beauty contests. She wins seven in a row...all offering trips of Hollywood or cash...and she sees none of this and exposes the fraud.
Once in Hollywood, she finds that breaking into pictures isn't as easy as she thought. And, soon the crook with the beauty contests comes looking for her to exact his revenge...though this makes no sense as the last time you saw him in the film he was about to be cross-examined by a district attorney because of the fraud! What's next? See the film...or not.
So is it any good? Not especially. Much of it is as I mentioned above...no one is THAT vivacious and Goldie gets men to do her bidding so easily....too easily. Additionally, some parts of this B-movie just are indifferently written..and the ending was just awful! Not a terrible film but certainly one that leaves you wondering WHY Damita was a famous leading lady when she married young Errol Flynn in 1935.
say it isn't so
kcfl-119 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
A near-great film til the ending. A number of films of the pre-women's lib movement period have endings that negate all that comes before, like "Female" (1933). A woman drives to the top, then gives it up for marriage. I don't think this will stick here because a) she's under contract to a studio and b) her fiancé lied to get her to marry him. So I think she's going to continue on course instead of marrying the creep.
Goldie uses every wile to get to Hollywood: flirting outrageously, stealing, and participating in a con game. She's in command all the way.
Now I'm going to say something heretical: Lili Damita is as good as Greta Garbo! So please see this..
Goldie uses every wile to get to Hollywood: flirting outrageously, stealing, and participating in a con game. She's in command all the way.
Now I'm going to say something heretical: Lili Damita is as good as Greta Garbo! So please see this..
See also
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