Lady of Burlesque

True enough, the movie couldn't show the strippers in action or play out the bawdy comic sketches so popular in burlesque, but writer James Gunn turned in a superior script, and director William Wellman and his cast gave the whole thing tremendous dash and style. The result was a movie that captured the seedy, underworld-edged world of burlesque without actually causing censors to yank it from distribution.

In theory, LADY OF BURLESQUE is a murder mystery, but mystery takes a back seat to the brawling backstage antics of crossed love affairs and star rivalry. Barbara Stanwyck endows star stripper "Dixie Daisy" with her own memorable brand of tough class--and although she can only be shown from the waist up when she bumps and grinds, she still manages to tear strips off her musical number "Play It On The G-String." The rest of the cast is equally memorable, many of them burlesque stars in their own right. Pinky Lee (Mandy) is memorably teamed with Marion Martin (Alice Angel) to delightful effect; Iris Adrian (Gee-Gee) is the gum smacking brash blonde to end all gum smacking brash blondes; and such memorable character actors as Michael O'Shea (Biff), Gloria Dickson (Dolly), and J. Edward Bromberg (Foss) round out the cast superbly.

Sad to say, LADY OF BURLESQUE has fallen into public domain, and it has not been well preserved. I have seen several releases of the film, and all of them are plagued with breaks in the film and the soundtrack. This particular DVD release, however, is definitely "as good as it gets;" unlike some other versions, the picture is sharp and clear and the sound is extremely good. LADY OF BURLESQUE may never be regarded as a "great" film, but it is an extremely entertaining one, particularly for those who already know something about the now-lost world of burlesque. As one character says, "Makes me want to leave the wife!" Recommended.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

But this old Barbara Stanwyck movie is kind of fun to watch -- not only is there a genuinely baffling murder mystery, but there are lots of over-the-top costumes, silly characters, and a street-smart heroine who doesn't let anyone push her around. Oh yes, and the guys will love the jiggle.

At the Grand Ol' Opry, Dixie Daisy (Barbara Stanwyck) is the star burlesque attraction -- she sings, dances, jiggles, and manages not to get embroiled in the backstage catfighting. But soon things take a nasty turn: snotty stripper Lolita is found -- poisoned and strangled with her own G-string. (What a way to go) Perhaps even worse, autocratic Russian diva Princess Nirvena returns to the stage, nudging Daisy off it.

Both the police and Dixie begin investigating who might have killed the dead woman. When Nirvena is found strangled onstage, the Ol' Opry faces indefinite closure. And Dixie begins to uncover a web of blackmail, adultery, suicide and family hatred -- and a very shocking reason why someone has been murdering the girls.

Despite being set in an old burlesque club, don't expect lots of skin. I've seen picnics with a higher sex factor. Instead, the filmmakers had more fun with the murder mystery angle, Stanwyck wittily rejecting a smooth Irish comedian, and the ambitious strippers brawling and verbally slicing each other. It's deliciously catty.

The murder mystery is a pretty solid one, with plenty of suspects and some police chases, only to lose steam near the finale. But the script is tight: the dialogue is as spicy as the 1940s censors would allow, and it's full of snappy one-liners("When I dress for a date with you, it'll be a suit of armor and brass knuckles!"). And the scriptwriters had some fun, with the comics frustrating the cops.

Barbara Stanwyck plays Lee's alter ego, and she does an excellent job. Her Daisy is a street-smart, independent girl who is still warm-hearted and loyal. A few characters -- like the idiot blonde Gee Gee (Iris Adrian) -- are more than a little annoying, but the majority of the supporting cast is solid.

Though "Lady of Burlesque" gets a bit silly at times, it has a solid cast and solid script, making for some fun light entertainment.

But this old Barbara Stanwyck movie is kind of fun to watch -- not only is there a genuinely baffling murder mystery, but there are lots of over-the-top costumes, silly characters, and a street-smart heroine who doesn't let anyone push her around. Oh yes, and the guys will love the jiggle.

At the Grand Ol' Opry, Dixie Daisy (Barbara Stanwyck) is the star burlesque attraction -- she sings, dances, jiggles, and manages not to get embroiled in the backstage catfighting. But soon things take a nasty turn: snotty stripper Lolita is found -- poisoned and strangled with her own G-string. (What a way to go) Perhaps even worse, autocratic Russian diva Princess Nirvena returns to the stage, nudging Daisy off it.

Both the police and Dixie begin investigating who might have killed the dead woman. When Nirvena is found strangled onstage, the Ol' Opry faces indefinite closure. And Dixie begins to uncover a web of blackmail, adultery, suicide and family hatred -- and a very shocking reason why someone has been murdering the girls.

Despite being set in an old burlesque club, don't expect lots of skin. I've seen picnics with a higher sex factor. Instead, the filmmakers had more fun with the murder mystery angle, Stanwyck wittily rejecting a smooth Irish comedian, and the ambitious strippers brawling and verbally slicing each other. It's deliciously catty.

The murder mystery is a pretty solid one, with plenty of suspects and some police chases, only to lose steam near the finale. But the script is tight: the dialogue is as spicy as the 1940s censors would allow, and it's full of snappy one-liners("When I dress for a date with you, it'll be a suit of armor and brass knuckles!"). And the scriptwriters had some fun, with the comics frustrating the cops.

Barbara Stanwyck plays Lee's alter ego, and she does an excellent job. Her Daisy is a street-smart, independent girl who is still warm-hearted and loyal. A few characters -- like the idiot blonde Gee Gee (Iris Adrian) -- are more than a little annoying, but the majority of the supporting cast is solid.

Though "Lady of Burlesque" gets a bit silly at times, it has a solid cast and solid script, making for some fun light entertainment.