Three Girls About Town (1941).

Three Girls About Town (1941). Comedy film directed by Leigh Jason. The story is written by Richard Carroll. Cast: Joan Blondell, Binnie Barnes and Janet Blair (in her film debut).

As the Merchants Hotel is preparing for a couple of conventions, hotel manager Wilburforce Puddle, is not looking forward to a story criticizing the hotel's hostesses coming out in the paper. After reading the dreaded story, one of the hostess Hope Banner, goes to confront her fiancee, reporter Tommy Hopkins. Of coarse Tommy, denies that he had anything to do with the story, but.. he does ask her to find a "regular" job. Hope, tells him she needs the money to keep her sister Charity, in private school. Charity, arrives and goes looking for her two sisters Hope and Faith, to tell them that she also wants to be a hostess at the hotel. Both Faith and Hope, tell her "no" and that she is too young to leave school.

In the room next to theirs, a body is found by three zanny maids and reported to Faith and Puddle. Not wanting for the news to get out, they decide to hide the body in the alley, but.. they run into the chief of police and a group of women who want to discuss the problem with the hotel's hostess.

Puddle does not want to carry the body to the street, so Hope goes looking for Tommy, who is talking to a group of reporters, who have been waiting for the labor mediator to arrive. As soon as Tommy, sees the body, he recognizes the body as the mediator and phones in his story to the paper. Convinced they will get the blame for the death sisters try to hide the body. The problem is... the body won't stay hidden. I think you will love this film, especially the clever twist ending.

Janet Blair (April 23, 1921 – February 19, 2007), she began her acting career on film in 1942. She is best remembered for playing Rosalind Russell's sister in, My Sister Eileen (1942) and Rita Hayworth's best friend in, Tonight and Every Night (1945).

She made a rare dramatic performance in the horror film, Night of the Eagle(1962). Her last performance was on television in a 1991 episode of Murder, She Wrote.

Binnie Barnes (25 May 1903 – 27 July 1998), began her acting career in films in 1923, appearing in a short film made by Lee De Forest in his Phonofilm sound-on-film process. Her film career continued in Great Britain, then later in Hollywood, until 1973, when she appeared in the comedy, 40 Carats. This was her last acting role. Her most famous film may have been The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933).

Pawsome Pet Pictures: Joan Blondell.

Personal Quote:

"There's a very fine line between underacting and not acting at all. And not acting is what a lot of actors are guilty of. It amazes me how some of these little numbers with dreamy looks and a dead pan are getting away wit it. I'd hate to see them on stage with a dog act."

Joan Blondell.

Joan Blondell (August 30, 1906 – December 25, 1979). Her father, known as Eddie Joan Blondell, Jr., a vaudeville comedian and one of the original Katzenjammer Kids. Her younger sister, Gloria, was also an actress, who was briefly married to film producer, Albert R. Broccoli (the future producer of the James Bond film series). She made her first appearance on stage at the age of four months when she was carried on stage in a cradle as the daughter of Peggy Astaire in, The Greatest Love.

Around 1927, she joined a stock company to become an actress, and performed on Broadway. In 1930, she starred with James Cagney in, Penny Arcade, which only lasted three weeks. Fortunately, Al Jolson saw the play and bought the rights. He then sold the rights to Warner Brothers, with the promise that Blondell and Cagney, be cast in the film version. Placed under contract by Warners, she moved to Hollywood.

Blondell was paired with James Cagney in the films:

Sinners' Holiday (1930). Pre-code. This murder story takes place during prohibition, in a penny arcade. Cast: Cagney in his very first performance in 1930. Also, a big role for Joan Blondell, who had already made four films, but would go on to make eight more films with Cagney.

The Public Enemy (1931). Maybe, one of the first mob films that showed not only the results of one persons actions on himself, but.. also his family. A ending that you will not soon forget.

Blondell, was one half of a gold-digging duo with Glenda Farrell in nine films. Her performance of "Remember My Forgotten Man" in the Busby Berkeley production of, Gold Diggers (1933), in which she co-starred with Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler.(Even though she was cast in many of the classic Warners musicals, she was not a singer, and in the Forgotten Man number, she mostly talked and acted her way through the song.)

The Perfect Specimen(1937). Was Errol Flynn's first comedy. Errol Flynn's character, was raised by his grandmother May Robson, who gave him the best education, but.. did not not allow him to have many friends. The Grandmother, even has a wife all picked out for him.

When Flynn, borrows a car for a joy ride, his disappearance causes a panic. The Grandmother, begins a nationwide manhunt for him. Meanwhile, he and Blondell, (who was visiting her brother who worked at the estate)are out having a wonderful time on the road... Flynn and Blondell, never performed again together.

Adventure(1945). Drama. Clark Gable, plays a sea captain, who falls madly in love with Greer Garson's character, who forever changes his believes on finding true love. He searches for the meaning of life through the danger of the open sea. Joan Blondel, plays a, "tomato".

The Blue Veil (1951). If you love a tear-jerker this chick flick is for you. The ending wraps everything up into a beautiful little package.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945). The Nolan family, finds joy in life even though they are very poor and Papa drinks to much. Blondell plays Aunt Sissy, who has a scandalous reputation, but is always there for her sister, just when she needs her most, and makes her see things through more understanding eyes.

Nightmare Alley (1947). Stanton Carlisle, is a carney who works with mentalist Zeena and her alcoholic husband Pete, who works the crowd as Zeena pretends to read their minds. Stan, has dreams of a night club act.

The Opposite Sex (1956). New York theater producer Steven Hilliard and his wife, former popular radio singer Kay Hilliard, are getting divorced, after Kay finds out about a affair, that he had with Crystal Allen, a gold digging chorus girl in one of his shows. Kay's best friend, Amanda, believes Kay, is playing right into Crystal plans, she also does not believe, that Steven really loves Crystal. When Kay learns that her husbands new marriage is not going well, she decides to get back with her husband with a little twist of revenge for..
Crystal

Desk Set (1957). The story begins when, Hepburn feels her job, and those of the other workers, are threatened by Tracy and his computer. Joan Blondell, plays the right-hand woman. This is a intelligent Romantic movie.

Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?(1957). A comedy film starring Jayne Mansfield and Tony Randall, with Betsy Drake, Joan Blondell, John Williams, Henry Jones, Lili Gentle, Mickey Hargitay, and a cameo by Groucho Marx. The film is a satire on the Hollywood hype from television ads. The film also shows how television hurt movie attendance in the 1950s.

The Cincinnati Kid (1965). A story about a young womanizer stud poker player, who travels from one game to the next. Who, eventually is up against the legendary champion Lancey Howard, in a high-stakes poker game.

Opening Night (1977). Is a powerful film, which starts out when a young woman gets killed, trying to meet her favorite actress, Myrtle Gordon. Myrtle Gordon, begins to feel responsible for her death and goes into a deep depression that begins to interfere with her work as an actress.

Blondell, performed in two films released not long before her death, Grease (1978) and the remake of, The Champ (1979).

Personal Quote:
"In the 20s, you were a face. And that was enough. In the '30s, you also had to be a voice. And your voice had to match your face, if you can imagine that. Jimmy Cagney and Eddie Robinson had voices that were as important as the characters they played. You knew what you were getting even before you paid for the ticket"

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Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957).

Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957). Cast:Jayne Mansfield, Tony Randall, Betsy Drake, Joan Blondell, John Williams, Henry Jones, Lili Gentle, Mickey Hargitay, and a cameo by Groucho Marx. It was produced and directed by Frank Tashlin, who also wrote the original screenplay. The Broadway play ran from 1955–1956 and also starred Jayne Mansfield as Rita.

The film has many references to several of Jayne Mansfield's other roles: The Girl Can't Help It, Kiss Them for Me, and The Wayward Bus. The book Mansfield reads in the bathtub scene is, Peyton Place by Grace Metalious, which became a movie and a popular TV series, that is one of the first prime time soap operas.

The story begins when, a advertising agency is about to lose a very important account, Stay Put Lipstick. Rock comes up with the idea to get the most famous actress with the "oh so kissable lips", Rita Marlowe. But... to get Rita to endorse the lipstick, Rock has to pretend to be her new boyfriend to make her real boyfriend, Bobo Branigansky , the star of a TV Tarzan show, jealous. Bobo leaks the news of Rita's new romance to the tabloids and Rock Hunter, now becomes known as Marlowe's, "Lover Doll".

It does not take long before Marlowe, thinks she is falling in love with Hunter, but.. her true love is, George Schmidlap. Not being able to find Schmidlap, she goes after Hunter, even though her Secretary Vi, warns her that she is playing a dangerous game.

After Rock, becomes the company president, he quickly finds it is not what he really wants and goes back to his fiancee.

As Rita Marlowe opens her television spot for Stay Put Lipstick, she is surprised by the shows "surprise" guest star, George Schmidlap. Hunter, now free decides to become a chicken farmer, living happily ever after.

Tony Randall, was wonderful playing the everyman. Mansfield, is hilarious with her little high-pitched squeal, it's very cute and always funny. The supporting cast is also wonderful, especially Joan Blondell, who.. I absolutely love.

Fun Facts:

The name of Jayne Mansfield's character, "Rita Marlowe", is a combination of  Rita Hayworth, Jean Harlow, and Marilyn Monroe.

Rita Marlowe's screen credits - "The Girl Can't Help It", "Kiss Them For Me" and "The Wayward Bus" - have the same titles as three of Jayne Mansfield's films - The Girl Can't Help It, Kiss Them for Me and The Wayward Bus.

Rita's poodle is named "Shamroy," a reference to long-time Fox cinematographer Leon Shamroy - who, ironically, did NOT photograph this picture!

Adapted from a Broadway play that also starred Jayne Mansfield. "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" opened on Oct. 13, 1955 at the Belasco Theatre in New York and ran for 444 performances. The original Broadway cast included Orson Bean, Walter Matthau and Jayne Mansfield. Tina Louise and Tom Poston were replacement cast members.

Mamie Van Doren turned down the role of Rita Marlowe.

Jayne Mansfield (April 19, 1933 – June 29, 1967) . One of the leading blond sex symbols of the 1950s, Mansfield starred in several popular Hollywood films that emphasized her platinum-blond hair and figure.

While Mansfield's film career was short-lived, she had several box office successes. She won the Theatre World Award, a Golden Globe and a Golden Laurel. She's well-known for her starring roles in, The Girl Can't Help It (1956) and Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957).

As the demand for blond bombshells declined in the 1960s, Mansfield performed in low-budget film dramas and comedies, but remained a popular celebrity. She is best known for the romantic-comedy, Promises! Promises!(1963), in which she appeared nude.

In her later career she continued to attract large crowds in foreign countries and in nightclubs. Mansfield had been a Playboy Playmate of the Month and appeared in the magazine several times.

Pre- Code: Smarty (1934).

Smarty(1934). Cast: Joan Blondell, Warren William, Edward Everett Horton, Joan Wheeler, Claire Dood and Frank McHugh.

Vicki Wallace, seems to enjoy pushing her husband Tony Wallace, buttons and it isn't long before he smacks her up side her head. Vicki's attorney who is also in love with her, Vernon Thorpe, helps her get a divorce and Vicki and soon after, Vernon are married. Vicki, loves to wear revealing clothes and inviting her ex-husband Tony to dinner. It is not long before Vernon, has had enough and smacks her one himself. She goes to her ex husbands apartment, where she finds Tony with Bonnie, who is not too happy with Vicki showing up and moving in. Vernon, shows up with George and Anita and Vicki tells Vernon, that as long as she is going to be hit by a husband, she will just go back to Tony.

Joan Blondell, is very good, a little different performance than I've ever seen her in before.  Claire Dodd and Frank McHugh play the comic relief. If you are a Joan Blondell fan, you will enjoy this movie.

Edward Everett Horton (March 18, 1886 – September 29, 1970), was a character actor. He had a long career in film, theater, radio, television and voice work for animated cartoons. He is best known for his work in the films of, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. His voice was one of his trademarks.

His first starring role was in the comedy film, Too Much Business(1922). Next, he went on to perform in the film, Beggar on Horseback(1925). Horton, performed in some of Warner Bros.' early talkies, The Hottentot and Sonny Boy.

He is best known, for his work as a character actor in the films: The Front Page (1931), Trouble in Paradise (1932), Alice in Wonderland (1933), The Gay Divorcee (1934), Flying Down to Rio (1933). Which included the popular dance team of Fred Astaire and a 23-year-old Ginger Rogers. It is the first of the series to feature Ginger and Fred as the main attraction. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

He also performed in the film, Top Hat (1935), Danger Love at Work (1937), Lost Horizon (1937), Holiday (1938), Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941), Arsenic and Old Lace (1944), Pocketful of Miracles (1961), and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963). He last performed in a non-speaking role in the film, Cold Turkey (1971).

Good Girls Go To Paris(1936).

Good Girls go to Paris(1936). Cast: Melvyn Douglas and Joan Blondell.

The story begins when, Ronald Brooke, an English professor at a Midwestern college, can not believe it when he hears that his favorite waitress, Jenny Swanson's, ambition is to gold-dig her way to Paris. Jenny's, plans look like they may come true, when the son of a millionaire, hits her with his car and she manages to get a marriage proposal out of him. When her conscience(flutters in her tummy) gets the best of her, she can not go through her breach of promise suit and Ronnie tells her "Good girls go to Paris too", and that he is leaving for England to marry, Sylvia.

Jenny, while traveling to New York, meets Tom Brand, the grandson of millionaire Olaf Brand and brother of Sylvia. they have a night on the town, where Jenny learns that Sylvia is in love with the butler's son who is studying to be a Dr., worries that her grandfather will disinherit her if he finds out.

Jenny drives Tom home to the Brand Mansion, after he has had to much to drink, where she meets Tom's family and helps straighten out the families many problems.

Good Girls go to Paris, is a light hearted comedy, that will give you "flutters in your tummy". :)






















During the 1930s Joan Blondell with her huge blue eyes, blond hair and wise cracking personality, soon became movie goers favorite. She performed in more Warner's films than any other actress and called herself the "Warner's workhorse."

Blondell was paired with James Cagney in the film, Sinners' Holiday (1930) and The Public Enemy (1931), and was one half of a gold-digging duo with Glenda Farrell in nine films. Her performance of "Remember My Forgotten Man" in the Busby Berkeley production of Gold Diggers of 1933, in which she co-starred with Dick Powell and Ginger Rogers.

Even though she was cast in many of the classic Warners musicals, she was not a singer, and in the Forgotten Man number, she mostly talked and acted her way through the song. In 1937, she performed opposite Errol Flynn in the film, The Perfect Specimen.

By the end of the decade, she had made nearly fifty films, leaving Warners in 1939.

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