Lady for a Day (1933)

Moral of the story: lying works.

Drunkard / street beggar Annie has been stealing hotel stationary for years and writing her daughter (who lives in Spain) letters full of extravagant lies about how she's a rich member NYC's high society. But Annie's cows are about to come home to roost because her daughter is coming to visit with her fiancée and his father Count Romero. Around this point logic is thrown far, far out the window never to return.

The use of the mushrooming lie can be used to great comic effect (HAIL THE CONQUERING HERO is a perfect example), but I have three problems with LADY FOR A DAY. First instead of going for the laughs it goes for the touching melodrama instead...unless they were going for the laughs and I just didn't notice. Secondly I feel no sympathy for the main character she brought all of this on herself by lying and my final problem is how completely unbelievable the conclusion was. Hey, let's reward her for being a s#!++y parent!

Also Nat Pendleton and Walter Connolly are completely wasted with small unimportant roles. If all that's not bad enough the picture on the "remastered" DVD sucks. It's hard to believe that Capra went from making this stinker to IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT just a few months later. May 17, 2008

lady for a century

I think May Robson was one of the finest actors australia has produced

unfortunately because it was so long ago people have forgotten

More needs to be done for the young ones to experience these treasures January 23, 2008

Good Movie

I seen this on TCM and thought i would buy it. I got to say that when i seen it on TV it looked better then it did from the DVD. Not a very high qualty dvd it is more like a dvd disk for your cpu. June 29, 2007

The Dude

I know it's a stretch, but I can't help but think that the Coen Bros. knew this film well, when they wrote, "The Big Lebowski".

Both "dudes" share a disdain for the establishment, and yet are well respected by their peers. Both men attempt a good deed, but not without the prospect of a payout at it's completion. Both appear to be the most astute within their respective circles, and seem to be drawn into a larger episode against their will.

It seems that the constuction of "The Big Lebowski" in it's relationship to "Lady for a Day", is similar to the construction of "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou", in it's relationship to "The Odyssey". There is a basic premise from which a very enjoyable romp ensues.

Jeff Zolitor October 11, 2006

wonderful surprise

This is the most wonderful movie with nobody I ever heard of except for the director, Frank Capra. May Robson is just fabulous -- tugs at your heartstrings, makes you cry and laugh. This is surely one of Capra's best movies -- not over the top or overly sentimental. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a two-hour smile. July 12, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...