Stage Door

Stage Door


RKO, 1937, B/W, 83 minutes, ****

Released October, 1937

Terry Randall (Katharine Hepburn), rich society beauty, has decided to see if she can break into the Broadway theatre scene without her family connections. She goes to live in a theatrical boarding house and finds her life caught up with those of the other inmates and the ever-present disappointment that theatrical hopefuls must live with. Her smart-mouth roommate, Jean, is approached by a powerful producer for more than just a role. And Terry's father has decided to give her career the shove by backing a production for her to star in, in which she's sure to flop. But his machinations hurt more than just Terry.



Not a musical, but certainly a classic. Most of the cast were in numerous movie musicals, so I have included it here. Great story, great cast, great film!



Produced by: Pandro S. Berman

Directed by: Gregory LaCava

Screen Play by: Morrie Ryskind and Anthony Veiller

From the play by Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman

Musical Director: Roy Webb

Art Directors: Van Nest Polglase, Carroll Clark

Set Dressing by: Darrell Silvera

Gowns by: Muriel King

Recorded by: John L. Cass

Photographed by: Robert de Grasse

Edited by: William Hamilton



Cast: Katharine Hepburn [Terry Randall], Ginger Rogers [Jean Maitland], Adolphe Menjou [Anthony Powell], Gail Patrick [Linda Shaw], Constance Collier [Catherine Luther], Andrea Leeds [Kaye Hamilton], Samuel S. Hinds [Henry Sims], Lucille Ball [Judy Canfield], Pierre Watkin [Richard Carmichael], Franklin Pangborn [Harcourt], Elizabeth Dunne [Mrs. Orcutt], Phyllis Kennedy [Hattie], Grady Sutton [Butcher], Jack Carson [Milbank], Fred Santley [Dukenfield], William Corson [Bill], Frank Reicher [Stage Director], Eve Arden [Eve], Ann Miller [Annie], Jane Rhodes [Ann Braddock], Margaret Early [Mary], Jean Rouverol [Dizzy], Norma Drury [Olga Brent], Peggy O'Donnell [Susan], Harriet Brandon [Madeline], Katherine Alexander, Ralph Forbes, Mary Forbes, Huntley Gordon [Cast of Play], Lynton Brent [Aide], Theodore von Eltz [Elsworth the Critic], Jack Rice [Playwright], Harry Strang [Chauffeur], Bob Perry [Baggageman], Larry Steers [Theater Patron], Mary Bovard, Frances Gifford, Josephine Whittell, Ada Leonard, Mary Jane Shower, Diana Gibson, Lynda Grey, Alison Craig, Lynn Gabriel [Actresses], Pamela Blake [Herself], Jack Gardner [Script Clerk], Al Hill [Taxi Driver], Ben Hendricks, Jr. [Waiter], Jack Gargan, Theodore Kosloff, Gerda Mora, Julie Kingdon [Dance Instructors], Whitey the Cat [Eve's Cat]



Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:25] Put Your Heart Into Your Feet and Dance (short excerpt danced by Ginger Rogers and Ann Miller rehearsing); [0:32] Put Your Heart Into Your Feet and Dance (danced by Ginger Rogers and Ann Miller with Chorus); [1:02] Happy Birthday to You (sung by the girls in The Footlights Club boarding house); [1:16] Sailboat in the Moonlight (excerpt sung by one of The Footlights Club girls); There are other very short fragments of songs scattered throughout the film.