Lady for a Day (1933)
Starring: May Robson, Warren William, Glenda Farrell, Guy Kibbee, Ned Sparks
Directed by: Frank Capra
With the help of The Dude's girlfriend, played with great sass by Glenda Farrell, Annie is transformed into an elegant lady. The Dude finds her a suite, a temporary husband, and even swanky friends (who only a few hours ago were his rough-mannered cronies).
The first time Robson appears on the screen, she is disheveled and poverty-stricken, but also tough and obviously well loved by both her friends and customers on the street. Nothing seems to faze her, until she receives the letter from her daughter, then Robson reveals the painful longing that her jolly manner conceals.
When The Dude explains to Robson how he will help her, she is suddenly filled with humility. She is so abashed that she can barely raise her head. The next time we see her, she is quiet and regal, not a bit of the shaggy apple vendor remains. Though Robson significantly changes her appearance and bearing, the new Annie is believable, because the longing her daughter's letter has inspired suffuses her entire personality. It is a masterful performance.
When Robson was nominated for an Academy Award for best leading actress, she became the earliest born person to receive that honor. Unfortunately, she did not take home the prize.
Other movies with Grand Ladies:
Dinner at Eight (1933) [with Marie Dressler]
Love Affair (1939) [with Maria Ouspenskaya]
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)[with Josephine Hull and Jean Adair]
Pinky (1949) [with Ethel Waters and Ethel Barrymore]
Go To Page: 1 2
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to K Cruver's Classic Actresses topic, please visit the Discussions page.