Lady for a Night

Joan Blondell is the real star in this Rebecca-like tense drama. She outshines John Wayne who has not yet found his relaxed, easy "Duke" acting style. Although it is set in deep south USA just post civil war in a period when black people were still the servant class, they are portrayed in a very stereotyped, clichéd manner which makes for distinctly uncomfortable viewing nowadays. The story hasn't dated but the way it is depicted certainly has. Probably best just watched for historical interest for all the reasons set out above and in particular for Joan Blondell's Standout performance.

John Wayne plays the complete opposite of his usual role and he plays it to perfection. In a secondary role, he is the love sick former parter of beautiful Joan Blondell. Blondell is most effervescent as a woman longing for high society and finds it with an alcoholic Ray Middleton. Blanche Yurka plays a strong role as the nemesis protecting the sinister family past. Hattie Noel is brilliant in her role as the maid who speaks truth to power in spectacular fashion. Of course Edith Barrett is perfection in her most memorable role as the abused sister. Some reviewers complained of the stereotypes here, however viewing this film in its entirety there is absolutely no substance to these claims. The film is clearly conveying the opposite and passionately exposes the manifest errors of elite society. Joan Blondell was the victim of violent abuse in real life. In her real life and in this movie, she champions freedom, humanity, and love in dramatic fashion.

An American drama; A story about a casino owner who hopes that by marrying into the impoverished aristocracy of America's old South she can finally get the respectability she craves though her being accepted is in doubt. This old-fashioned period melodrama has a theme about defying social conventions to satisfy burning ambitions. Many of the performances shine brightly but the story is thin on material and its dreary plot offers no suspense. It is a stereotypical film too that works comedy, romance and thrills into a concoction in the hope of taking the viewer's eye off the script. Wayne is not ideally cast but Joan Blendell shoulders the dull direction and offers us her charm and zest. Hattie Noel brings a vibrancy to every one of her scenes.

The prior review was excellent. But the movie is set in Memphis not New Orleans, even though the Mardi Gras opening would belie that. And Joan Blondell's character is the one who proposes the marriage, not the other way around. All in all, it's very entertaining movie which deserves a better reputation.