Barbara Stanwyck In "Lady of Burlesque" A Striptease Murder Mystery! (1943)

After one member of their group is murdered, the performers at a burlesque house must work together to find out who the killer is before they strike again.

Director:

William A. Wellman

Writers:

Gypsy Rose Lee (novel), James Gunn (screenplay)

Stars:

Barbara Stanwyck, Michael O'Shea, J. Edward Bromberg

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Barbara Stanwyck	...	Deborah Hoople - aka Dixie Daisy
Michael O'Shea	...	Biff Brannigan
J. Edward Bromberg	...	S.B. Foss
Iris Adrian	...	Gee Gee Graham
Gloria Dickson	...	Dolly Baxter
Victoria Faust	...	Lolita La Verne
Stephanie Bachelor	...	The Princess Nirvena
Charles Dingle	...	Inspector Harrigan
Marion Martin	...	Alice Angel
Pete Gordon	...	Officer Pat Kelly (as Eddie Gordon)
Frank Fenton	...	Russell Rogers
Pinky Lee	...	Mandy
Frank Conroy	...	'Stacchi' Stacciaro
Lew Kelly	...	The Hermit
Claire Carleton	...	Sandra

Storyline

Sassy Dixie Daisy is the hot new attraction at a former opera house that's been turned into a burlesque theater. She's popular with the customers, although not with Lolita La Verne, a stuck-up diva who was hoping she'd get the top spot. Also complicating matters is the return of the Princess Nirvena, the show's former star who once had a fling with the boss. When the Princess blackmails her way into the top spot, Dixie is none too pleased. When both Lolita and the Princess are murdered, Dixie becomes a prime suspect. She then sets up a trap to nail the real killer.

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Plot Keywords:

g string | romantic rivalry | manipulative female | female jealousy | possessive female | 

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Taglines:

Music...Mystery...Murder...!

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Genres:

Comedy | Music | Mystery | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The characters of Biff Brannigan and Gee Gee Graham were based on Rags Ragland (who was Gypsy Rose Lee boyfriend) and Georgia Sothern (who was Lee's closest friend in burlesque).

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Goofs

Dixie comes off stage in one costume and goes to the dressing room where the body is found. When the performers are questioned by the police, Dixie is in an entirely different costume.

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Quotes

Dixie: I'm not working burlesque for laughs. This little girl's got her way to make in the world. When you brought me here you promised me the moon. Now, I'm getting green cheese and not liking it. Why? I've been doing all right. My face hasn't fallen apart since yesterday?

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Connections

Referenced in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

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Soundtracks

Paradise
(uncredited)
Music by Nacio Herb Brown

User Reviews

Surprising, light-hearted comedy

Nothing deep here, but that's good. A light-hearted comedy in the guise of a mystery. Don't expect to be mystified, the "mystery" only serves as a vehicle for the comedy and a rather believable romance. Barbara Stanwyck, though 36 years old, looks much younger. Her part was rather vivacious, risque, and revealing for a 1943 movie. The lady could act!

The image on the DVD is generally very good, but there are several places where a few "frames" are missing, causing disquieting "jumps", but still, a good investment of time, if only to enjoy watching Miss Stanwyck smile and wiggle.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 May 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

G-String Murders

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hunt Stromberg Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1