That was an excellent one.

Boring

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

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.

An old apple woman has a daughter coming back from overseas to visit and she is bringing her fiancé with her so his family can assess the merits of hers before they will approve of the marriage. Of course, the daughter has been led to believe that her mother is a high society lady. Not an original story line (although it might have been in the 1930's when it came out), but like most old movies, the predictable outcome is still thoroughly enjoyable because of first rate acting and direction. A terrific cast from top to bottom and perfect way to spend a couple hours. It is a truly feel-good movie. Lots of smart, funny lines spice up the touching story of people going out of their way to help others less fortunate.

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.