Goin' To Town (1944 Film)
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''Goin' To Town'' is a 1935
musical Musical is the adjective of music. Musical may also refer to: * Musical theatre, a performance art that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance * Musical film Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the Character (arts), charac ...
comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...
directed by Alexander Hall and written by Mae West. The film stars Mae West, Paul Cavanagh, Gilbert Emery, Marjorie Gateson, Tito Coral, and Ivan Lebedeff. The film was released on April 25, 1935, by
Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation, commonly known as Paramount Pictures or simply Paramount, is an American film production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the flagship namesake subsidiary of Paramount ...
.


Production

In the film, star Mae West used her own voice, prompting Mordaunt Hall to state the following in his review: "The highlight of the picture is Miss West singing high opera (really!)." West was already the highest paid actress in Hollywood when ''Goin' To Town'' was released, and her bold, controversial performances and bawdy, irreverent humor had made her a popular figure in Hollywood's pre-Code era. In ''Goin' To Town'', she brings all of these qualities to the role of Cleo Borden, delivering a memorable and entertaining performance that has helped to make the film a classic of its time. The film was a box office success upon its release and received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its humor and West's performance. In the years since its release, ''Goin' To Town'' has continued to be remembered and enjoyed by audiences, and it remains a popular choice for fans of classic Hollywood cinema. The original title of the film was "Now I'm A Lady", but the Hays office mandated the title change just before the film was released. Miss West's pet monkey, "Boogie", makes a cameo in the film. A musical number, "Love is Love in any Woman's Heart", was cut from the film at the star's request, as she felt it was not in line with her character. The song is still used over the closing titles.


Plot

Cleo Borden (West) is a saloon singer out west whose cattle rustling boyfriend (Fred Kohler) dies right before their wedding day (in which they signed a paper agreeing to marry) and leaves her a fortune. She sets her sights on a handsome Brit in Carrington (Paul Cavanaugh), employed surveying the oil wells on her property and spends the rest of the picture trying to win him over, having placed a bet on it. He considers her "Crude oil", which leads to West stating her desire to "become a lady if it kills me!" Part of her quest includes throwing an opera and singing the lead in a scene from Samson and Delilah. It also takes her to
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, where she meets Ivan Valadov, a Russian millionaire with a mistress in Mrs. Crane Brittony. Brittony and Borden make a bet over which of their horses will win a race, which Borden wins. Later, Fletcher Colton (the niece of Brittony) offers her a title, and thus a place in society, in a loveless marriage in Southampton. Carrington returns to see her, now with a new title: the Earl of Stratton. Brittany schemes to embarrass Borden, and end her nephew's marriage to Borden, but in so doing causes his death, as Colton shoots himself in a scuffle with paid sneak Valadov. Initially, it looks like Borden will be blamed, but she is exonerated, and left free to marry Carrington. The film's happy ending ends with a briefcase listing "Lord and Lady Stratton".


Cast

* Mae West as Cleo Borden * Paul Cavanagh as Edward Carrington * Gilbert Emery as Winslow * Marjorie Gateson as Mrs. Crane Brittony *Tito Coral as Taho * Ivan Lebedeff as Ivan Valadov * Fred Kohler as Buck Gonzales * Monroe Owsley as Fletcher Colton * Grant Withers as Young Stud * Luis Alberni as Sr. Vitola *Lucio Villegas as Señor Ricardo Lopez * Mona Rico as Dolores Lopez * Wade Boteler as Ranch foreman *
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as Donovan *Joe Frye as Laughing Eagle *Vladimar Bykoff as Tenor


References


External links

* * * {{Alexander Hall 1935 films 1935 musical comedy films 1935 romantic comedy films 1930s American films 1930s English-language films 1930s romantic musical films American black-and-white films American musical comedy films American romantic comedy films American romantic musical films Films directed by Alexander Hall Films with screenplays by Mae West Paramount Pictures films English-language romantic comedy films English-language romantic musical films English-language musical comedy films