- Ginger Rogers and Ann Miller tap in time and rat-a-tat lines. Lucille Ball braves a date with an obnoxious lumber baron. Eve Arden can’t recall Hamlet but one meets so many people in the big city. And Katharine Hepburn becomes Broadway’s biggest star in a play wherein she notes “the calla lilies are in bloom again.”Stars galore shine in this nominee for 4 Academy AwardsO* including Best Picture, a
Set in a theatrical boarding house, this film follows the ambitions of young aspiring actresses.
Genre: Feature Film-Comedy
Rating: NR
Release Date: 1-MAR-2005
Media Type: DVDThis one’s all about the ladies. In this absolutely terrific 1937 gem, a Manhattan boardinghouse for aspiring actresses houses an amazing roster of golden-era performers–some of whom, like their characters, were just breaking in. It’s hard to say who’s in best form here: Katharine Hepburn in blueblood mode, Ginger Rogers streetwise, Andrea Leeds suffering, Lucille Ball and Ann Miller impossibly young, and Eve Arden being, well, splendidly Eve Ardenish. The sassy comedy and sober life lessons are wonderfully mixed by the underrated director Gregory La Cava (My Man Godfrey), who captures the brashness of ’30s female chatter in a much pleasanter way than the more famous The Women. Hepburn’s sublime attempts to wrestle with the line about calla lilies being in bloom will make you smile long after the movie’s over. –Robert Horton
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May 5, 2010
#1
I patiently watched this film for about an hour waiting for a plot to develop. No such Luck. I expected to be dazzled by the array of stars in the film. Wrong again. The ending of the film is ridiculous. This is one boring film from front to back. I’ll take Bringing Up Baby any day.
May 5, 2010
#2
I recently purchased the Warner Bros. Classic Comedy Collection. I find Gregory La Cava’s “Stage Door” to be the weakest of the bunch. Don’t get me wrong–it’s still thorougly enjoyable but for a few weak spots script-wise. The film hasn’t dated as well as other films in the collection and the proceedings are decidedly more than a bit pat. However, that said, it’s great to see Hepburn, Rogers, et al (not to mention a young, brash Lucille Ball) sparring in vintage 30′s wisecrack speak.
For a better, tighter and all-together funnier look at the golden age of Broadway ala Hollywood, try “Twentieth Century” starring the always brilliant John Barrymore and the equally wonderful Carole Lombard. This film is also directed by La Cava and deserves five stars!
May 5, 2010
#3
I totally disagree that “Stage Door” is the best of releases. Just because it has a team of stars (sarcastic and poorly represented), does not make it a best. I feel the casting was just for the names – little thought of content. “Stage Door Canteen” is, by far, the better choice. It is filled with stars, entertainment and plot, as well as music and politics of the time. Whether you agree with the politics and war alliances, there could be no better representation of the age. I thoroughly enjoy revisiting that film. I immediately sold “Stage Door” after watching it …
May 5, 2010
#4
I find it truly sad that Animal House was adapted to DVD before Stage Door. Another example of true artistry losing out to the quick buck.
May 5, 2010
#5
I am SO glad that they (whoever) have decided to release this movie on DVD! It is SO good. I saw it for the first time on late tv only a few months ago.. it had Ginger Rogers in it, so I decided to tape it. Thank gosh I did!!
A favourite part of mone is when she comes back from her date totally DRUNK!! It is hilarious! Her brilliant drunken style was totally convincing to me, and I was laughing so much, when I watched it again I kept rewinding that part. So I can’t wait for it to come on DVD!
Whoever hasnt seen it.. see it!!:):)
P.S. This is the type of movie where, if you don’t pay attention, you might get a bit lost.
Babs