Lady for a Day (1933)
Never-wed, poor, rough around the edges Apple Annie has always written to her daughter, Louise, in Spain that she is married and a member of New York's high society. Upon receiving unexpected word from Louise (who hasn't seen Annie since infancy) that she is en route to America with her new fiancé and his father, a count, so the three of them can meet her, Annie panics, despairing that her beloved daughter will be destroyed by the deception.
- Frank Capra
- Damon Runyon
- Robert Riskin
Rating: 7/10 by 81 users
Alternative Title:
Dama za jedan dan - HR
Lady for en dag - DK
Päivä ylhäisönaisena - FI
Kyria gia mia mera - GR
Dáma egy napra - HU
Geveret L'Yom Ehad - IL
一日だけの淑女 - JP
Arystokracja podziemi - PL
Milionária por Um Dia - PT
Lady för en dag - SE
Bir Günlük Kibar Kadın - TR
Zena za jedan dan - RS
Dama por un día - ES
Country:
United States of America
Language:
English
Runtime: 01 hour 36 minutes
Budget: $0
Revenue: $0
Plot Keyword: judge, parent child relationship, superstition, transformation, letter, count, deception, makeover, old lady, pre-code, nightclub singer, pool shark, racketeer, engaged couple, mother daughter reunion, panhandle, social reception, elaborate ruse, apple vendor
This has shades of "My Fair Lady" about it - and Frank Capra has done quite well with a cast of lesser known actors to create quite an enjoyable comedy drama. May Robson steals the show as "Apple Annie", a lady who makes her living selling these fruit on Times Square. She is well known and well liked by her pals and all is going along nicely until her daughter writes to announce that she will be arriving from Spain with her new fiancée and his father - both are (minor) Spanish aristocracy who have been led to believe, as has her daughter, that "Annie" is rather closer to the top of New York society than she actually is! Luckily, up steps local crook "Dave the Dude" (Warren William) who has always had a fondness for the old girl, and on hearing of her impending predicament decides that he is going to help. The race is on now on to turn the rough around the edges woman into the epitome of culture and decorum - otherwise, no wedding! It's good fun to watch this - on one hand we have the story or rags to riches (for the day) Robson, and she is engaging and charming in an authentic manner; the other is the gangster whose behaviour is causing all sorts of consternation amongst his colleagues and rivals who are unsure just what is going on... Halliwell Hobbes is always reliable as the butler and Glenda Farrell has some good scenes as "Missouri", too. It has a pace all of it's own, and plenty of humour to keep the 90 minutes busy and enjoyable. Of course there is little jeopardy - and the fact that there isn't is actually one of the things that vindicates this actually rather joyous piece of cinema.
