BBBB
(out of 5)
Mae West writes herself another fantastic vehicle in this enjoyable musical drama, one that highlights all of her best qualities. She throws off her witty one-liners (“Your mother should have thrown you out and kept the stork!”), indulges in sexual innuendo (someone mentions that she knows the way to a man’s heart and she replies “Funny too, cause I can’t cook!”) and performs some great numbers (her delivery of “Troubled Waters” is a standout). The diverting plot centres around her as a night club singer of the late nineteenth century who shifts operations from St. Louis to New Orleans to get away from a mean, pugilist boyfriend. He shows up in town for another match, looks for her and they all get involved in a diamond-stealing operation. Great costumes and sets, but at the end of the day it’s Mae’s show all the way!
USA, 1934
Directed by Leo McCarey
Screenplay by Mae West, based on her story It Ain’t No Sin
Cinematography by Karl Struss
Produced by William LeBaron
Music by Howard Jackson, John Leipold, Tom Satterfield
Production Design by Bernard Herzbrun
Costume Design by Travis Banton
Film Editing by LeRoy Stone
