Watch Forty Naughty Girls

Eighty years ago, in 1937, the world was a very different place. The Golden Age of Hollywood was in full swing and the movie industry was churning out films at a remarkable rate. One such film was Forty Naughty Girls - a comedy film directed by Edward F. Cline and starring James Gleason, Zasu Pitts, and Marjorie Lord. Set in a girls' boarding school, the film follows the exploits of the school's headmistress, Miss Marlowe (played by Pitts) and her assistant, Mr. Dingle (played by Gleason). The school is in danger of being shut down due to financial troubles, and the duo will do anything in their power to save it.

The solution they come up with is to turn the school into a nightclub and open it up to the public. But in order to do so, they must first convince the girls to help out. Naturally, the girls are all too eager to jump at the chance to perform and showcase their talents. However, as you might imagine, things don't quite go according to plan.

The film is a classic screwball comedy filled with slapstick humor and witty one-liners. James Gleason steals the show with his impeccable comic timing and lovable, everyman persona. Zasu Pitts is delightful as the scatterbrained headmistress, and Marjorie Lord is charming as one of the school's most talented students.

The girls themselves are a quirky and fun bunch, each with their own unique personalities and talents. There's Marge (played by Laraine Day), a talented violinist who dreams of a career in music; Gloria (played by Janet Beecher), a snobbish socialite who is forced to confront her own prejudices; and Peggy (played by Jane Barnes), a plucky young girl who provides many of the film's most memorable moments.

Along with its colorful characters, Forty Naughty Girls boasts some impressive musical numbers, including a lively tap dance routine and a melodramatic ballad. The film's use of music is both entertaining and integral to the plot, as it is the girls' musical talents that ultimately save the school from ruin.

One of the things that sets Forty Naughty Girls apart from other comedies of its time is its focus on female characters. While the film may have been marketed towards a male audience, it is the girls and their personal struggles that are at the heart of the story. The film explores themes of female empowerment and self-discovery, tackling issues such as classism and societal expectations.

Of course, it would be remiss not to mention the film's dated attitudes towards women and race. While the film's message of female empowerment is admirable, many of the girls are reduced to caricatures and stereotypes. Additionally, the film's treatment of its black characters is problematic, to say the least. As with many films of its era, it is important to view Forty Naughty Girls through a critical lens and acknowledge its flaws.

Despite its flaws, Forty Naughty Girls is a fun and entertaining watch that is sure to delight fans of classic Hollywood comedies. It's a film that celebrates the power of music and the spirit of camaraderie, and it's hard not to root for the girls as they band together to save their school. For anyone looking for a lighthearted escape from the realities of the world, Forty Naughty Girls is a delightful and charming romp that is sure to put a smile on your face.