GIRLS ABOUT TOWN (1931)

This rare but risqué Pre-Code film on DVD with Kay Francis, Lilyan Tashman, Joel McCrea and Eugene Pallette, is one of my all time favorite films, has been since I saw it on the big screen, in August of 2007. It was delightful to re-watch this, since I hadn’t seen it since then, because, well, I didn’t have a copy. I finally got a copy of it in December, luckily.

The movie is about two gold diggers whose job is to entertain men. Marie (played perfectly by Lilyan Tashman --> more on her later) loves her job. She is a true gold digger, but with a heart of gold, certainly regarding her best friend Wanda (played convincingly by Kay Francis). The two have wonderful chemistry together and it really lifts the movie up a nod because of that. Marie and Wanda eventually meet Jim Baker (played by the always wonderful leading man, Joel McCrea) and Benjamin Thomas (Eugene Pallette perfectly cast). Wanda falls in love with Jim, who sees right through these two gals'. He knows that they’re paid for entertaining them. Even though they both try to pretend, they eventually realize that they’re in love and Jim wants to marry her. However there’s one problem, she is still married to another man, Alex Howard (Anderson Lawler) or so she thinks. She only sees her husband when he needs money. Eventually her husband blackmails Jim and now it’s up to Wanda and Marie to clear thinks up. I won’t spoil the rest. But I will say, Marie remains a gold digger and glad of it, Wanda does not.

The movie is truly one of the best Pre-Codes, beautifully directed by George Cukor. The first shot of the movie, is rather striking. Behind the title we see a bunch of fabulous girls moving around and a miniature city in front of them. It’s hard to explain, but it’s really a fabulous shot.
I loved the scenes between Joel McCrea and Kay Francis in the water and their sexy chemistry is very evident. There were many scenes in which Lilyan Tashman and Kay Francis barely had clothes on, and there was a lot of bed scenes which again shows the Pre-Code elements.
I could never do this movie justice. It simply is a movie to be seen. In my mind a must see film.

The real scene-stealer of this movie was of course the fabulous Lilyan Tashman. Many say that this was her greatest performance and while this is the only movie I’ve seen with this lady, I can see why; She has all the best lines and she knows just how to deliver those wisecracking and sharp lines, just like Joan Blondell and Glenda Farrell could to perfection. I think Lilyan could be categorized as sophisticated and truly cool. A woman of class, really! She really was a truly great supporting actress. One of the best!

She died young and became a symbol of the Pre-Code era, and is remembered as 'the gayest of them all.'

Kay Francis ... Wanda Howard
Joel McCrea ... Jim Baker
Lilyan Tashman ... Marie Bailey
Eugene Pallette ... Benjamin Thomas
Alan Dinehart ... Jerry Chase
Lucile Gleason ... Mrs. Benjamin Thomas (as Lucille Webster Gleason)
Anderson Lawler ... Alex Howard
Lucile Browne ... Edna
George Barbier ... Webster
Robert McWade ... Simms
Louise Beavers ... Hattie
Judith Wood ... Winnie