This is a double tragedy. Having just watched "Dance, Girl, Dance", also released by RKO, 2 years before, I couldn't help noticing that both films were dramas, featuring the romantic designs of a superaggressive, heartless, gold digging, Broadway club entertainer or burlesque queen, played by Lucille Ball. The main difference is that ,in the present film, Lucy's character(Gloria) is the only significant female character, whereas in "Dance, Girl, Dance", she shares the spotlight with Maureen O'Hara in a good/bad girl competition and cooperation. Also, in that film, they compete for a wealthy patron, whereas in the present film, it's the men who initially compete for Gloria's romantic attention.
Rather early in the film, Gloria is rendered a cripple by falling backwards down a flight of stairs after a push from her jealous gangster boyfriend and employer, after learning that she plans to marry wealthy playboy Decatur Reed. Thereafter, the powerful men in her life ignore her. Her only consistent friend is an overaged bus boy: Little Pink(Henry Fonda). Despite all the things he does for her to make her life bearable, she usually treats him like trash. Nonetheless, he continues to address her as "Your Highness", denoting his continued respect. He even lets her sleep in his low class basement apartment.
Perhaps the most implausible aspect of the screenplay is that Little Pink supposedly somehow gets her with her wheelchair from NYC to a plush seaside resort in Florida, without money for public transport. Several instances of hitchhiking are shown, along with periodic shots of Little Pink pushing Gloria along a highway. No word on how they managed to live and sleep during this marathon!?
When it becomes evident that Gloria will likely never walk again, she goes into a greater depression and seemingly wills a gradual degeneration of her body. Gloria tells Little Pink she has a wish before she dies that she is dressed in a fancy expensive dress and expensive jewelry, and can look over the ocean. Well, there's no money forthcoming to fulfil this request. So, crazy Little Pink breaks into a house and steals the items Gloria requested. She wears the items to a party in a restaurant, apparently not questioning where Little Pink got them. When Gloria finds out that Little Pink stole the items she is wearing, and that the police are on their way to arrest Little Pink for grand larceny, she softens her attitude toward him. Little Pink asks her to dance with him. She doesn't think she can, but he holds her up initially, then lets go of her, and she stands. She is elated. I will leave you to see the conclusion of this film.
Lucy showed that she could do convincing tragic drama, playing an unsympathetic character. Fonda was also excellent in his unusual role as a crazy young man, including dashing into NYC traffic to save Gloria's Pekingese. However, he seemed too old and sophisticated to be a busboy. Supporting actors included some familiar faces: Eugene Palette, Agnes Morehead, Ray Collins, George Cleveland, Louise Beavers, and Ozzie Nelson's band.
Rather early in the film, Gloria is rendered a cripple by falling backwards down a flight of stairs after a push from her jealous gangster boyfriend and employer, after learning that she plans to marry wealthy playboy Decatur Reed. Thereafter, the powerful men in her life ignore her. Her only consistent friend is an overaged bus boy: Little Pink(Henry Fonda). Despite all the things he does for her to make her life bearable, she usually treats him like trash. Nonetheless, he continues to address her as "Your Highness", denoting his continued respect. He even lets her sleep in his low class basement apartment.
Perhaps the most implausible aspect of the screenplay is that Little Pink supposedly somehow gets her with her wheelchair from NYC to a plush seaside resort in Florida, without money for public transport. Several instances of hitchhiking are shown, along with periodic shots of Little Pink pushing Gloria along a highway. No word on how they managed to live and sleep during this marathon!?
When it becomes evident that Gloria will likely never walk again, she goes into a greater depression and seemingly wills a gradual degeneration of her body. Gloria tells Little Pink she has a wish before she dies that she is dressed in a fancy expensive dress and expensive jewelry, and can look over the ocean. Well, there's no money forthcoming to fulfil this request. So, crazy Little Pink breaks into a house and steals the items Gloria requested. She wears the items to a party in a restaurant, apparently not questioning where Little Pink got them. When Gloria finds out that Little Pink stole the items she is wearing, and that the police are on their way to arrest Little Pink for grand larceny, she softens her attitude toward him. Little Pink asks her to dance with him. She doesn't think she can, but he holds her up initially, then lets go of her, and she stands. She is elated. I will leave you to see the conclusion of this film.
Lucy showed that she could do convincing tragic drama, playing an unsympathetic character. Fonda was also excellent in his unusual role as a crazy young man, including dashing into NYC traffic to save Gloria's Pekingese. However, he seemed too old and sophisticated to be a busboy. Supporting actors included some familiar faces: Eugene Palette, Agnes Morehead, Ray Collins, George Cleveland, Louise Beavers, and Ozzie Nelson's band.