Stage Door

Director: Gregory La Cava Gregory La Cava

Overview

Adapted from the Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman play, Stage Door is a comedic portrait of the theatrical community in New York. Katharine Hepburn stars as Terry Randall a young woman who comes from a wealthy, socially connected family. Aspiring for a career on the stage, Terry opts to see if she can make it on her own gumption and moves into a boarding house with several other wannabe Broadway starlets attempting to make a mark for themselves in show business. Terry's sassy roommate Jean (Ginger Rogers) just might get the opportunity to do that when she meets a lecherous producer, but at what cost? Unamused by Terry's attempts to pull herself up by her bootstraps, her father offers her an opportunity for a starring role in a show that's sure to fail. Lucille Ball, Eve Arden, and Ann Miller are among the other residents of the boarding house.

Product Details

Release Date:	05/03/2016
UPC:	0888574407537
Original Release:	1937
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Language:	English
Time:	1:31:00
Sales rank:	25,198

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

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

Technical Credits

Anthony Veiller

Morrie Ryskind

Edna Ferber

S.K. Lauren

William Slavens McNutt

George Seaton

Gregory La Cava	Director
Anthony Veiller	Screenwriter
Morrie Ryskind	Screenwriter
Pandro S. Berman	Producer
Edna Ferber	Screenwriter
John L. Cass	Sound Effects,Sound/Sound Designer
S.K. Lauren	Screenwriter
William Slavens McNutt	Screenwriter
George Seaton	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Stage Door is notable for its predominantly female cast, predating George Cukor's The Women by two years. Adapted from the Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman stage hit, the sparkling dialogue comes at the audience rapid-fire as each stellar performer steps forward. The film shifts easily between comedy and drama, with Ginger Rogers in particular showcasing her versatility. Director Gregory La Cava successfully pulls together a strong-willed cast that includes Katharine Hepburn, Lucille Ball, Eve Arden, and Ann Miller. He puts the boarding house setting to good use, keeping the interplay brisk and the story lines moving quickly. Ironically, the film's only Oscar nomination for acting went to the lesser-known Andrea Leeds, who, unlike her character in the movie, would later marry a rich man and retire from the screen. The film was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.

All Movie Guide - Richard Gilliam