Lady for a Day

source: Lady for a Day

Lady for a Day (1933) *** (out of 4) Sentimental tale of an apple peddler (May Robson) who hasn't seen her daughter for decades but has been telling her that she's a rich woman living in a fancy hotel. When the daughter comes to visit, the poor woman has nothing to do but a nice gambler (Warren William) decides to turn her into a lady but the plans don't go as expected. I've got rather mixed feelings on this film because I think it starts off brilliantly but slowly goes downhill as the comedy tries to take over. The opening scenes in the hotel with Robson begging for her letter are downright heartbreaking and its moments like these that I love. The final third of the film has William's character taking the spotlight and I think this is where the film goes a little flat. William is very good in his role but everything written around his character is pretty flat. The whole madcap of the police following him on the big night is suppose to be funny but it never made me laugh. The film finally picks up at the very end when Robson must talk to her daughter about the truth. As for Robson, she's terrific in the film and those early moments of her in the hotel are masterfully acted. Guy Kibbee is also terrific as the man who agrees to act as her husband.

Another old film I was excited to discover, and puzzled to not have heard of. I was unsurprised to find its a Frank Capra film, but I think I like this better than his later, more well-known films. May Robson's performance in this is superb, I was gratified to see she was nominated as Best actress, but sorry she did not win. The other leads are great, and dialog well-written. As some others have noted the scene of the lovers on the patio is beautifully set and filmed. If you love Frank Capra you'll love this one, and if not, you may find it a somewhat less saccarhine effort than his others....highly recommended!!

This fantasy of depression life in New York was like "Gold Diggers of 1933" in its sympathy to the variety of character types who roamed the theatre district in search of a future. If Little Orphan Annie at this time was hoping for an escape from Miss Hannigan's reign of terror at the orphanage, the aged Apple Annie was hoping to find a way to bring happiness to her beautiful daughter raised in a Spanish convent and now engaged to a nobleman whose father wants to meet the mother in order to approve the match. The help of jaded gambler Warren William, crusty Ned Sparks, dipsomaniac judge Guy Kibbee and nightclub entertainer Glenda Farrell might just put the scheme of making her look like a lady (shades of "Pygmallion"), showing that at least in Runyeonland, gangsters have good hearts, especially if an apple a day brings luck at the race track. Character actress May Robson brings much heart to the down-on-her-luck Annie who longs to see her daughter at least one last time and be seen as the great lady she could have been rather than the poor street vendor she has become. Warren William escapes from the playboys and ruthless businessmen he was playing over at Warner Brothers to take on one of his most memorable roles as the good-hearted gangster (a staple in Damon Runyeon tales) while Ned Sparks gets most of the funniest lines. He delivers them with a cigar in his mouth, acid spewing and joy exploding out of every wisecrack he makes. Nat Pendleton is also amusing as the lovable dumb lug Shakespeare, Williams' right hand man. The chemistry between Robson and Guy Kibbee (pretending to be her husband) is totally charming, giving the impression that there will be a nice September romance once the story we see on screen ends. Parker is lovely as the innocent daughter, but Barry Norton and Walter Connelly seem miscast as Spanish nobility. That is a minor flaw through a film that totally engrosses you and goes straight to the heart.

For a middle class Indian guy like me falling head over heels for Hollywood movies and especially for B/W beauties is like making Ned Sparks laugh.... very difficult! And yet in love I am with Hollywood for movies like 'The Lady For A Day'. ( What you haven't seen it? Rent it or better BUY it .. Right Now!) It's pure magic from beginning to end. Performances are top notch.Warren Williams with his voice n charm, Ned Sparks with his comments and May Robson for her great performance make the film a legend. Let's not forget Frank Capra. It actually makes you wonder weather it is Capra's direction , the performances or the storyline which sets this film apart. Capra's brand of comedies is well known. And this one is an out n out success! Whatever be the ingredients it's poetry in motion. It's a must watch for true fans and it should be made compulsory for the 'Scary Movies Gang'.

Just wondering: is this the movie in which a character says, "I'm going' over to the insane asylum and hobnob with a few sensible people."? What a great line! Since there are other witty quotes listed on previous comments, I figured for sure this quote must have come from Lady for a Day. Was worried I had the wrong source, since there is also a movie called Queen for a Day. Somebody out there let me know which is correct. Though I've not seen the movie, I know it's one that appeals to me because of the number of characters and variety of those character types. The same word keeps coming up: charming...humorous and dramatic. Charming movies do hold up well after so many years...that's why this one sounds so good and is still heard of.

May Robson is simply wonderful as the bag lady, Apple Annie. This is one of her finest performances and she brings a lot of heart and excellent acting to the role. Warren William, though not one of my favorite actors, is perfect for the part as the lovable cad who decides to do Annie a good deed and help her pose as a decent society lady to fool her child who has been away at boarding school and has not idea of the type of woman Annie is. Frank Capra's direction, pacing and cinematography are all excellent--this is a nice piece of art. Many years later, by the way, Capra remade this film as POCKETFUL OF MIRACLES, but it in no way equals the original--it's just too brash and forced. See this film and see how good old films were made.

All the women are going into the bedroom to fix up the bag lady, hairdressers, manicurists, etc. One man is with the bunch. As he goes in, the head guy says "Hey, he can't go in there." The moll says "Oh, he's OK". The guys looks over, shrugs and says, the word dripping from his lips "Pierre". One of the funniest scenes in movies and one of my favorite one line deliveries. Otherwise, a funny, sweet film. Seems more naive than the remake which makes it work better.

It's not often (especially these days) that a character actor or actress pulls a leading role. This movie rates my 8/10 vote mostly on the strength of the marvelous character performance of May Robson in the central role as Apple Annie, an elderly down-and-out who must somehow preserve the imaginary persona she has built for herself to her daughter, soon to arrive from Paris with a prospective husband in tow. Robson was nominated for an Oscar, as lead, and richly deserved it for her tragicomic characterization. Frank Capra's excellent direction (also nominated for an Oscar) keeps the plot unfolding with the speed and apparently effortless fluidity so characteristic of the comedies of this period. Capra did not win the Oscar that year, but this film launched his series of feel-good dramas and sparkling comedies that netted him three subsequent Oscars. But this is far more than a feel-good comedy/drama. It's an excellent movie that stands on its merits outside the genre, with a solid supporting cast. Capra's own remake (Pocketful of Miracles), doesn't meet the standard he himself set here. And although I have tremendous respect for Bette Davis, who played the lead in the remake, it is the difference between a good performance and an exceptional portrayal. Now that I've seen this version, May Robson simply IS Apple Annie.

And why isn't this mentioned in the "goof" section? In a movie, supposedly taking place in New York, has EVERY SINGLE rank of the NYPD, from patrolman, to detective, even up to the commissioner, talking with some hokey Midwestern accent? I'm guessing, but I believe this was shot in NYC itself- you mean the casting director couldn't have found a few New York sounding guys to play the rolls of policeman (or better yet, some ACTUAL members of the NYPD from the thirties)? I left this identical criticism for "The Penguin Pool Murder Mystery" and sure enough, I was the ONLY one who pointed this out. Shame on him, and shame on all you reviewers for missing this obvious mistake. Otherwise, a pretty good movie, but what an unnecessary and easily fixed goof this was.