Welcome to the Footlights Club where you have to be cutthroat and tough-as-nails to survive; where a meal and soft bed to sleep is just a step away from a starring role on Broadway. Disappointments are expected and success is a dream worth fighting for.
The story concerns Terry Randall (Hepburn), the budding actress who acts as a catalyst for the girls at the famous boarding house to get their name out on the stage. The lively exchanges between the cast on their rise to stardom form both tender and catty friendships amongst the girls. All the supporting players at the Footlights Club are excellent from Ginger Rogers' tough as nails Jean to Lucille Ball's skeptical Judy. There are many people to keep track of in the film and the director juggles their parts with depth and sincere interest. Eve Arden, Andrea Leeds, Jack Carson all play off each of their dynamics in a great ensemble cast.
Hepburn is the radiant standout playing her usual strong willed, clever and outspoken self refusing fighting inch and nail for her rights and beliefs no matter what she's told. The most interesting part is seeing Hepburn, Ball, Arden and Rogers, some at the beginning of their careers almost mirroring how they would have felt trying to make it big acting in Hollywood. In fact Rogers was made her start in New York Broadway parts and is Ball now of course famous for her musical talents. All the girls look delightful, graceful and beautiful so it was a real joy seeing them all together.
The script is a knock-out taking advantage of the snappy, fast-talking witty Hollywood pictures of that period. There are so many clever quotable lines and each of the players enact them with grace, deadpan comedy and heart. Of course hearing Hepburn recite her famous line "The calla lilies are in bloom again" is a fantastic moment that illustrates her legendary acting legacy reviving memories of her famous Hamlet recital in Morning Glory to many majestic roles some 30 years later.
This is an enjoyable romp held up by the star power and clever script. It was pleasure to be in great company along this exploration of heartwarming friendship and ruthlessness among the flashing lights of Broadway
The story concerns Terry Randall (Hepburn), the budding actress who acts as a catalyst for the girls at the famous boarding house to get their name out on the stage. The lively exchanges between the cast on their rise to stardom form both tender and catty friendships amongst the girls. All the supporting players at the Footlights Club are excellent from Ginger Rogers' tough as nails Jean to Lucille Ball's skeptical Judy. There are many people to keep track of in the film and the director juggles their parts with depth and sincere interest. Eve Arden, Andrea Leeds, Jack Carson all play off each of their dynamics in a great ensemble cast.
Hepburn is the radiant standout playing her usual strong willed, clever and outspoken self refusing fighting inch and nail for her rights and beliefs no matter what she's told. The most interesting part is seeing Hepburn, Ball, Arden and Rogers, some at the beginning of their careers almost mirroring how they would have felt trying to make it big acting in Hollywood. In fact Rogers was made her start in New York Broadway parts and is Ball now of course famous for her musical talents. All the girls look delightful, graceful and beautiful so it was a real joy seeing them all together.
The script is a knock-out taking advantage of the snappy, fast-talking witty Hollywood pictures of that period. There are so many clever quotable lines and each of the players enact them with grace, deadpan comedy and heart. Of course hearing Hepburn recite her famous line "The calla lilies are in bloom again" is a fantastic moment that illustrates her legendary acting legacy reviving memories of her famous Hamlet recital in Morning Glory to many majestic roles some 30 years later.
This is an enjoyable romp held up by the star power and clever script. It was pleasure to be in great company along this exploration of heartwarming friendship and ruthlessness among the flashing lights of Broadway