Frank Capra's Lady for a Day (1933) was on TCM yesterday and I loved it. Thank you, Carol, for letting me know it was going to be on. :)
I had watched Pocketful of Miracles, which is the 1966 version, but I had never seen the original.
In the original (Lady for a Day), May Robson plays Apple Annie.
In Pocketful of Miracles (1966) Apple Annie is played by Bette Davis. Well, you know I love Bette Davis, but May Robson is amazing in the role and although both play a cranky, old drunk woman superbly only May Robson shows the tender side. She was a great actress and I look forward to searching out more movies that she had roles in.
Besides the wonderful performance of May Robson, the rest of the cast was great. I loved Warren William as Dave the Dude. Guy Kibbee played the judge & added so much more to the character than the 1966 version.
From the Bette Davis picture it looks like the witch in Snow White about to sell one of her "special apples", so I'll tell you a little about the movie.
Right at the beginning we meet the main character, Apple Annie. Apple Annie is a street peddler, who crosses paths with all sorts of interesting characters as she sells her special apples. She is uncouth, unkempt & not the typical sweet little old lady, but there is something so endearing about her that you can't help but falling in love with the character.
Corresponding by letters, she has kept in touch with a daughter she has never seen. Apple Annie has been less than honest about her life and made it seem like she was a member of high society. Soon she finds out her daughter is planning a trip to New York so that she, her fiancée and her future father-in-law can meet her. As you can guess Apple Annie is distressed because she doesn't want her daughter to ever see the real life that she lives.
I wish I had a clip from youtube but I couldn't find one. From someone that usually doesn't care for Awwwww movies, this is a sweet, enjoyable film that I would recommend.
Lady for a Day
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3 comments:
Hi! I'm so glad you enjoyed the movie! It's one of my favorites! May Robson is tough on the outside, because her rough life has made her that way, but inside her heart and her eyes is a tenderness that always makes me misty eyed. I feel so sorry for her and want to reach out and help her myself. I'm so relieved when Dave The Dude helps her out. The director Frank Capra's skills show in the way he made us doubt she would get help. That was missing in the Davis version.
I enjoyed your movie review. I agree completely. Both this and the Bette Davis version are worth seeing.
I see you said Guy Kibbee was the judge. I'm sure that's not right. Kibbee is a silly guy, not a gent. I was out of the room when the judge was on, so I can't quite picture who played him. Oh yes, I believe he was the grandfather in Captain January with Shirley Temple. I loved that movie too. Don't know his name though.
May Robeson was also in "Bringing Up Baby" and played Katherine Hepburn's aunt. I think I saw a comercial yesterday on TCM that said that movie was comming up this month, so keep your eyes open for it. It's a perfect example of what they used to call a screw-ball comedy. Favorite scenes of mine include the singing in the bushes scene, the pink robe scene, and the torn skirt scene. Classics every one! Take care! See you at the movies! Carol Jean
Hi Carol! Thanks for visiting. Yes it's a great movie. Thanks it's now a favorite.
To be honest I wouldn't have known Guy Kibbee was the judge before looking it up. I do like him though and it appears he can also be a gent. ;)
Hi, you are right, I had him mixed up with someone else. Thanks for correcting me. Carol Jean
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