She Done Him Wrong

She Done Him Wrong


Paramount, 1933, B/W, 65 minutes, ***

General release February, 1933



Set in the 1890s, Mae West plays a brash barroom entertainer with a soft spot for men in trouble, especially the mission director, young Cary Grant. She unknowingly gets caught up in a murder, as well as a white slavery ring, and sets about clearing things up as only Mae can. In between rescues she manages to perform some of her heated, hip-swinging classics including a steamy belting of "Frankie and Johnny."

Producer: William Le Baron

Directed by: Lowell Sherman

By Mae West

Screen Play by: Harvey Thew and John Bright

Based on the Play Diamond Lil by Mae West

Music and Lyrics by: Ralph Rainger

Choreography: Harold Hecht

Art Director: Robert Usher

Costumes: Edith Head

Photographed by: Charles Lang

Editor: Al Hall



Awards: Nominated for Best Picture Academy Award



Cast: Mae West [Lady Lou], Cary Grant [Captain Cummings], Owen Moore [Chick Clark], Gilbert Roland [Serge Stanieff], Noah Beery, Sr. [Gus Jordan], David Landau [Dan Flynn], Rafaela Ottiano [Russian Rita], Dewey Robinson [Spider Kane], Rochelle Hudson [Sally Glynn], Tammany Young [Chuck Connors], Fuzzy Knight [Ragtime Kelly], Grace La Rue [Frances], Robert E. Homans [Officer Doheney], Louise Beavers [Pearl], Wade Boteler [Pat], Aggie Herring [Mrs. Flaherty], Tom Kennedy [Big Billy], James Eagles [Pete], Tom McGuire [Mike], Lee Kohlmar [Jacobson], Harry Wallace [Steak McGarry], Al Hill, Arthur Housman [Bar Flies], Mary Gordon [Cleaning Lady], Michael Mark [Janitor], Mike Donlin [Tout], Frank Moran [Framed Convict], Heinie Conklin [Street Cleaner], Jack Carr [Patron], Ernie Adams [Man in Audience]



Musical Program: [0:00] Frankie and Johnny (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:29] Silver Threads Among the Gold (excerpt sung by Lee Phelps and Mens Chorus); [0:34] Lady Lou (?) (introductory number sung and danced by Chorus Girls); [0:35] Easy Rider (sung by Mae West); [0:45] She Is More to Be Pitied Than Censured (sung by Lee Phelps); [0:47] Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-Der-E (short excerpt danced by Chorus Girls); [0:52] A Guy What Takes His Time (sung by Mae West); [0:57] Frankie and Johnny (modified lyric, sung by Mae West)