Not the greatest movie ever. But its not often I get caught up in certain characters, or am prone to giggle during a movie. This movie was a nice surprise.


This film from 1936 is remembered most as the movie that made Frances Farmer a star in the duel roles of a mother and daughter Lotta Morgan/Lotta Bostrom. But the name on the marquee for the film was Edward Arnold. He would today be classified more as a character actor then a lead. Had a presence that holds you. From being a total and utter ass and leering lech to a fun loving care free spirit he hits all the moods here.

I would recommend the movie just for him. But then you also have the great Walter Brennan as his best friend. Frances Farmer was charming in the film. In her portrayal of Lotta Morgan (mother to the character she portrayed Lotta Bostrom) she was charismatic and endearing. The saloon singing number she does reminds you of a Marlene Dietrich number without the accent. Playing the younger Lotta, not so Hotta. The younger Lottas love interest is Joel McCrea who does fine job if you are plastic.

Now not to desaude you with McCrea and the younger Lotta, you should see this for 3 of the supporting cast. Edward Arnolds wife played by, though briefly, Mary Nash. His spirited independent daughter Evvie played by Andrea Leeds (who got an oscar nomination for her role in Stage Door, and who was seemingly supposed to have the part of Miss Melanie in Gone With The Wind, that went to Olivia DeHaviland) and last but not least the know it all gossip of a secretary Josie, played by Cecil Cunningham (she rocked with what she had to do, IMHO) There was a part of a spinster neice ,to the Walter Brenan character, played by Mady Christians who was enjoyable but I kept expecting her to do a Mrs Olsen Coffee commercial or start singing the Swiss Miss Cocoa commercial. But for what her character and portrayal was she was one of the few characters without blinders on.

I now want to see what other Edward Arnold films I can see, I know I have seen him perform before but I couldn’t say in what. And I do believe I will see what else there is to offer on Frances Farmer as well. This is the 1st Farmer film I have seen. I heard of it after watching part of a documentary on her last week. Would also like to see what else I could see Cecil Cunningham in. I just F’ing loved her.

(You may remember Cecil Cunningham as Irene Dunnes Aunt in “The Awful Truth”)