Among the more popular things in the 30's, which are all but gone now, were newspapers, ballroom dancing, speakeasies, stage productions, and carnivals. "The Half-Naked Truth" featured three carnival workers who broke away to do something bigger. The leader of the group was Jimmy Bates (Lee Tracy). He was a fast-talking, loud, truth-bending showman who fancied himself a marketing guru. He took his girlfriend Teresita (Lupe Velez) and his friend Achilles (Eugene Pallette) with him to New York City to see if he could get Teresita on Broadway.
Jimmy was an abrasive character. He treated Teresita with contempt and he had little regard for decency or even the law. He would try any gimmick, legal or not, if it could drum up a buzz and coax money out of people's pockets. His gimmicks were far-fetched and in all likelihood wouldn't work at all in real life, but for the sake of the movie everything he did worked, even if only temporarily. He was a less charming, less bearable, less truthful version of James Cagney in "Hard to Handle."
The only real bright spot in this movie was Lupe Velez. She was such a breath of fresh air. Lupe was a Mexican actress with a noticeable accent and a spicy personality. Her face, voice, and personality was a welcome break from the Stepford women of that era. With the exception of blond versus brunette and a few standouts, they were all virtually the same. Lupe was undoubtedly different and at least a modicum of diversity.
Free on Odnoklassniki.
Jimmy was an abrasive character. He treated Teresita with contempt and he had little regard for decency or even the law. He would try any gimmick, legal or not, if it could drum up a buzz and coax money out of people's pockets. His gimmicks were far-fetched and in all likelihood wouldn't work at all in real life, but for the sake of the movie everything he did worked, even if only temporarily. He was a less charming, less bearable, less truthful version of James Cagney in "Hard to Handle."
The only real bright spot in this movie was Lupe Velez. She was such a breath of fresh air. Lupe was a Mexican actress with a noticeable accent and a spicy personality. Her face, voice, and personality was a welcome break from the Stepford women of that era. With the exception of blond versus brunette and a few standouts, they were all virtually the same. Lupe was undoubtedly different and at least a modicum of diversity.
Free on Odnoklassniki.