This is no relation to Columbia's 1931 precode melodrama starring Barbara Stanwyck and directed by Lionel Barrymore. Yes, the plot surrounds that famous moody 1920's standard (Ruth Etting's theme) and deals with taxi dancers, which I guess were still around at the end of World War II. (Come to think about it, they were around in the 1960's, although I doubt a dance still cost only a dime when Charity Hope Valentine taxi danced for a living...)
This focuses on the pretty Jane Frazee who sings in a dance hall while the girls take tickets while hoping not to get their feet stepped on. There's lots of jazzy music in this hour long B film and enough of a plot to keep the film going. Jimmy Lloyd and Mark Roberts are sailors on leave who want some adventure and find their share with Frazee and her childhood pal Joan Woodbury, nice girls in a not always nice profession. George McKay plays the dance hall's owner who already has a claim on Frazee, willing to go out with Lloyd simply to keep them coming back for more.
Her basic decency makes her feel guilty for using them in McKay's scheme to fleece Lloyd and Roberts, and how she handles this situation is the basic conflict of this little known film. There's a cute little novelty number, "Michael the Bicycle Rider" that might have your toes tapping. It's obvious that Frazee will not be able to fill her duty to McKay, and that makes her quite a likable heroine. Some fun character performances (especially a salty landlady and a lovable bartender) adds to the charm of this as well. Frazee doesn't have to emote too much, but she's sincere and pretty, with Woodbury a nice second lead.
This might not have the melodramatic bite of the Stanwyck film, but I find it to be a better film, not easy for me to admit considering that Stanwyck is my favorite leading lady. Frazee may not be as well remembered, but this film just might make you a fan.
This focuses on the pretty Jane Frazee who sings in a dance hall while the girls take tickets while hoping not to get their feet stepped on. There's lots of jazzy music in this hour long B film and enough of a plot to keep the film going. Jimmy Lloyd and Mark Roberts are sailors on leave who want some adventure and find their share with Frazee and her childhood pal Joan Woodbury, nice girls in a not always nice profession. George McKay plays the dance hall's owner who already has a claim on Frazee, willing to go out with Lloyd simply to keep them coming back for more.
Her basic decency makes her feel guilty for using them in McKay's scheme to fleece Lloyd and Roberts, and how she handles this situation is the basic conflict of this little known film. There's a cute little novelty number, "Michael the Bicycle Rider" that might have your toes tapping. It's obvious that Frazee will not be able to fill her duty to McKay, and that makes her quite a likable heroine. Some fun character performances (especially a salty landlady and a lovable bartender) adds to the charm of this as well. Frazee doesn't have to emote too much, but she's sincere and pretty, with Woodbury a nice second lead.
This might not have the melodramatic bite of the Stanwyck film, but I find it to be a better film, not easy for me to admit considering that Stanwyck is my favorite leading lady. Frazee may not be as well remembered, but this film just might make you a fan.