Movie Review--A Classic: "Stage Door"

Nominated for 4 Academy Awards (including Best Picture), Directed by Gregory La Cava (director of many films in the early 1900's--'17,'18, '19, etc.), an RKO picture.

This is a classic film, black and white, and one which I probably wouldn't have ever seen, were I not browsing the large VHS/DVD collection at our local library, and looking for something with names I knew, that I'd not already watched a dozen times. But after I did, I felt I needed to share it with the world! It's a great movie, for all ages and times!

Even in the opening scenes, seeing all the young actresses in one room, is quite impressive.

Of course I was most struck, though, by the 26 year old Lucille Ball--who I barely recognized, due to expecting slapstick and funny faces. But Lucy was so much more than those attributes, and a very talented woman, even singing and dancing, long before her "I Love Lucy" fame. She actually had quite a number of appearances under her belt by the time Stage Door was made.

This movie, from the RKO vault, it seems, is a tale of a bunch of aspiring actresses living in a boarding house, and the mis-adventures they encounter, as well as the tragedy, friendships, and successes and failures.
Having so many strong female characters in one movie, one might expect the film to be overwhelmed. But it actually was well done, especially since, considering how old it was, many of the women who would later become stronger actresses, don't have such large parts in this film.

As it turns out, this movie was a gem to find, and heartwarming, witty, and well played. The drama of the underlaying story--in which an actress who had her time ends up committing suicide--was placed well in the overall scheme.

It's amazing, actually, how many people were "uncredited" in the old days, and how many actors/actresses are in the line-up that got to notice. Wouldn't get away with that nowadays!

Anyway. Kate Hepburn shines in her normal smart-type role, playing the daughter of a rich man, with lots of money behind her, who wants to leave the money behind her, and live in a place of "atmosphere," and get started in the stage--just to prove she can--or can't. Ginger Rogers plays opposite her, as the sarcastic young aspiring dancer who doesn't trust Katherine's character at all, and opposes her right up till the very last scene.
Each girl has a powerful part, even the small ones, that help make this story work, and movie a good watch.