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Roxie Hart | Year: 1942 Classification: Musical Directed: - William A. Wellman "That's a hanging jury out there!" If you've seen and enjoyed the recent musical adaptation of "Chicago", you might want to check out the 1942 version of the same story, "Roxie Hart". The plot is the roughly the same, although due to the censors of the time key points were changed from the original play. Ginger Rogers stars as the titular wannabe showgirl, who confesses to murder just for the publicity. Adolphe Menjou is her lawyer, the infamous Billy Flynn, and George Montgomery rounds out the cast as a journalist desperate to keep Roxie from swinging. Rogers does only a small amount of dancing in this film (managing to squeeze in a neat bit on a steel staircase) but this is mostly a comedic part. I would say "Roxie Hart" is a slightly above average comedy, with a few clever scenes and lines and a playful performance by Ginger. She and Montgomery have good chemistry and are fun to watch, but be forewarned there is some typical '40s era racism. Other than that, recommended as a decent rainy day flick.<BR>GRADE: B Different but lots of fun I watched this out of curiousity after becoming a fan of Chicago the movie. It's fun to compare and contrast the modern version against this Ginger Rogers vehicle. Check out familiar characters (such as the prison matron "Mrs." Morton and Mary Sunshine) new characters (the reporter who has a crucial role in the end) and even missing characters (no Velma Kelley.) This 1942 film has the title character as a woman on trial for shooting a man who is strongly implied to be her lover. Unlike the Roxie Hart in Chicago, this Roxie is innocent and only on trial for publicity to bolster her show business career. Rogers is a lot of fun and chews the scenery as the gum snapping Roxie. In retrospect, it seems a natural that this story became a musical. Aside from a brief tap dance sequence, it's too bad Rogers couldn't show off her musical talents here. Make note to watch for the totally different but funny ending. I DID IT HER WAY!!! ... and BOY she sure dun 'em wrong!<BR>A BRILLIANT gem of a black comedy from the past - superbly restored to DVD - Great in Black & White - with the "Chicago" tune most of us grew up with has the backdrop.... Well, we've seen Mr. Fosse's "Chicago" [brilliant homage to this one] ~ but Ginger's version naturally focuses more on the wronged babe! Great Costumes and Art direction - even a dance number or two - "The Black Bottom" sequence - everyone's doing it! and Gingers homage to the 'other' tapmasters' as she pounds out a little number on the prison stairs. HUNKY George Montgomery is the perfect 'big lug' of a reporter smitten by Miss Rogers "She Couldn't possibly have done this!"<BR>A touch a Gable there! Even Velma cameos briefly at the beginning in prison - literally cat-fighting with Roxie. They're basicallty all here - and if you wish another slant on the tangled tale - view this one - you won't be disappointed. [Especially when the Judge tries to hone in on the background action - mugging for the camera in court - SO indelible in recent times considering it all .... after all it's all "Razzle Dazzle"]. A 'don't miss' experience. I DID IT HER WAY!!! ... and BOY she sure dun 'em wrong! HUNKY George Montgomery is the perfect 'big lug' of a reporter smitten by Miss Rogers "She Couldn't possibly have done this!" Even Velma cameos briefly at the beginning in prison - literally cat-fighting with Roxie. They're basicallty all here - and if you wish another slant on the tangled tale - view this one - you won't be disappointed. [Especially when the Judge tries to hone in on the background action - mugging for the camera in court - SO indelible in recent times considering it all .... after all it's all "Razzle Dazzle"]. A 'don't miss' experience. Buy Roxie Hart at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Roxie Hart Search with the Priority Search Engine on Roxie Hart This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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