Stage Door (1937)

Katharine Hepburn, Lucille Ball and Ginger Rogers

'Stage Door' is a behind-the-scenes comedy drama, made in 1937, directed by Gregory La Cava and starring Katharine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, Andrea Leeds and Adolphe Menjou, with suppporting roles from a young Lucille Ball, Eve Arden, Gail Patrick and Ann Miller. The movie is based on the play of the same name by Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman but apart from the names of the main characters, has been changed almost beyond recognition.

'Stage Door' was nominated for four Academy Awards, without winning an Oscar, for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Andrea Leeds.

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The movie tells the story of a group of young chorus girls and would-be actresses who live together in a New York City theatrical boarding house called The Footlights Club. All the girls are hoping to get their big break, and the film shows their successes and failures, hopes and fears, romances and entanglements as they interract with each other and with other members of New York's theatrical community.

The cast list is spectacular and features most of the top RKO female stars of the day in peak form, led by Katharine Hepburn and Ginger Rogers whose apparent personal animosity did not prevent them from playing off each other brilliantly. The excellent supporting cast features Constance Collier as the would-be mother figure for the younger actresses,and memorable appearances from the young Eve Arden and Gail Patrick as well as the first film appearance of Ann Miller, who was only fourteen at the time, having lied about her age to get the role. In addition there is a wonderful performance from Lucille Ball, in one of her best movie roles. The main male role is the lecherous but genial impresario played by Adolphe Menjou, who suits the role perfectly.

The story line concerns Terry Randall, played by Hepburn, and how the suicide of one of the young actresses, played by Andrea Lord, affects her and changes her outlook on life. Despite this dramatic and tragic backdrop the film is very funny indeed. The script is genuinely witty and is a seemingly never-ending and fast moving series of wisecracks, insults and put-downs between the girls.

With its brilliant cast playing well rounded, believable characters,, interesting plot and sparkling screenplay, 'Stage Door' is one of the best films made in the late 1930's. The direction by La Cava is excellent and he maintains a fast pace whils keepng the serious and amusing sides of the story in balance and maintaining a convincing, and not overly glamorised atmosphere. A thoroughly good film.