Two of my favorite underrated actresses, Aline MacMahon and Ann Dvorak, star with Paul Kelly in "Side Streets," from 1934, right on the edge of the code ending.
MacMahon plays Bertha, a hard-working furrier who takes pity on a sailor, Tim O'Hara (Kelly) whose reputation keeps him from finding work. She feeds him, gives him a place to stay, hires him to make deliveries for her company, and winds up married to him. He seems like a good guy, but we soon find out he is cheating on her with another woman, Marguerite (Dvorak).
Bertha becomes pregnant, and Tim adores the baby and helps care for him. Sadly, the baby dies. Bertha goes on, but she is devastated, as is he. Later he takes up with a coworker. Unbeknownst to him, Marguerite has had his child, and Bertha is helping her with the bills.
MacMahon was such a wonderful actress, pushed into character roles because she wasn't a beauty. Here, she's called "old" by a rival for Tim's affections, and Tim wanted someone young like himself; MacMahon and Kelly were both 35.
Dvorak, young and pretty, was a sparkling presence at Warners. She never liked her roles, married a Brit, worked for the British war effort, and retired in 1952.
Both actresses deserved to have much better careers.
This is a routine film but a nice story really brought to life by the acting. I highly recommend any film with either woman, and it's a special treat to have both in one movie.
MacMahon plays Bertha, a hard-working furrier who takes pity on a sailor, Tim O'Hara (Kelly) whose reputation keeps him from finding work. She feeds him, gives him a place to stay, hires him to make deliveries for her company, and winds up married to him. He seems like a good guy, but we soon find out he is cheating on her with another woman, Marguerite (Dvorak).
Bertha becomes pregnant, and Tim adores the baby and helps care for him. Sadly, the baby dies. Bertha goes on, but she is devastated, as is he. Later he takes up with a coworker. Unbeknownst to him, Marguerite has had his child, and Bertha is helping her with the bills.
MacMahon was such a wonderful actress, pushed into character roles because she wasn't a beauty. Here, she's called "old" by a rival for Tim's affections, and Tim wanted someone young like himself; MacMahon and Kelly were both 35.
Dvorak, young and pretty, was a sparkling presence at Warners. She never liked her roles, married a Brit, worked for the British war effort, and retired in 1952.
Both actresses deserved to have much better careers.
This is a routine film but a nice story really brought to life by the acting. I highly recommend any film with either woman, and it's a special treat to have both in one movie.