Directed by:
George StevensCinematography:
Robert De GrasseComposer:
Roy WebbCast:
Katharine Hepburn, Fred MacMurray, Fred Stone, Evelyn Venable, Frank Albertson, Ann Shoemaker, Charley Grapewin, Hedda Hopper, Jonathan Hale, Hattie McDaniel (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
A pretty young woman who dreams of reaching beyond her middle-class origins, Alice attends a party being hosted by Mildred Palmer (Evelyn Venable), a wealthy local debutante. Wearing a two-year-old gown, Alice is pointedly ignored by all, before Arthur Russell (Fred MacMurray), an attractive, unassuming young man from an affluent family, is taken with her, and asks her to dance. Despite the strength of her attraction to Arthur, Alice insists on keeping him at a distance, ashamed of her family's lack of money. After lavishing compliments on the young woman, he finally succeeds in persuading her to attend a party at the home of J.A. Lamb (Charley Grapewin), her father's well-to-do employer. While Mrs. Adams (Ann Shoemaker), pours abuse upon her invalid husband (Fred Stone) for allowing their limited means to interfere with their daughter's marriage prospects, Arthur's interest in romancing the girl continues unabated. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (1)
A typical film product of its time, where it is definitely necessary, even after many decades, to appreciate Katharine Hepburn's acting skills. However, the screenplay presents a characteristic conflict, or rather the idea of happiness of the bourgeoisie at that time, and to be honest, a typically petty-bourgeois film like Alice Adams is difficult to find. The main heroine is poor and feels so very poor in her only ball gown, that it gives her a headache, which she deals with throughout the entire film. Her efforts to marry and climb the social ladder are met with overt elitism from the bourgeoisie, who scorn the common people. However, her family's social status at that time did not necessarily mean poverty, nor would it mean poverty nowadays, by the way. In any case, those who enjoy classic films of that era will not be disappointed. Oscars during that time were given out with some certainty to conventional, but well-made films. Overall impression: 40%.
()