Watch Telephone Operator

Telephone Operator is a 1937 comedy-drama film directed by Scott Pembroke and produced by Larry Darmour. The movie stars Judith Allen in the lead role, supported by Grant Withers and Warren Hymer. The story revolves around a young woman, Marie Lawson (Judith Allen), who has just arrived in New York City and is desperately seeking employment. She happens to stumble upon a small telephone exchange and lands a job as a telephone operator. Marie is an intelligent, hardworking woman who quickly makes friends with her co-workers, including her supervisor Jimmy Morgan (Grant Withers), and her best friend Timmy (Warren Hymer).

As a telephone operator, Marie has to handle a wide range of calls from various individuals, including businessmen, housewives, and even criminals. Her job becomes more complicated when she unknowingly becomes involved in a robbery case, and the police begin to suspect her involvement. Marie then takes it upon herself to investigate the incident and clear her name.

The movie highlights the societal issues of that time, including the Great Depression and the increasing status of women in the workforce. It also portrays the struggle faced by individuals who have moved to the city in search of better opportunities. Marie's character represents the aspiring women who worked hard to make a living in a male-dominated society.

The film maintains a light-hearted tone throughout, with humorous moments sprinkled throughout the narrative. The chemistry between the lead characters, Marie and Jimmy, is evident, and the romantic subplot adds a touch of sweetness to the storyline without detracting from the overall feel.

The movie's direction by Scott Pembroke is commendable, as is the script written by Robert Ellis and Helen Logan. The dialogues are witty and natural, with some memorable lines that stay with you long after watching the film. The film is so well-made that even though it was made more than eighty years ago, it still resonates with audiences today, especially with the current social and economic climate.

The lead actors, Judith Allen, Grant Withers, and Warren Hymer, all deliver impressive performances in their respective roles. Allen's portrayal of Marie is both relatable and inspiring, and it is hard not to root for her throughout the movie. Grant Withers is charming in his role, and his chemistry with Allen leads to some sweet moments. Warren Hymer provides the necessary comic relief to the movie, and his character acts as a necessary foil to the more serious Marie.

The movie's technical aspects are also worthy of praise. The cinematography by Benjamin Kline is impressive, and he has captured the bustling city life of New York City with great finesse. Editing by Dwight Caldwell is also top-notch, with the film maintaining a brisk pace and not wasting any time on irrelevant subplots.

In conclusion, Telephone Operator is a charming comedy-drama that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It has an engaging storyline, a talented cast, witty dialogues, and great technical aspects. The movie's themes of hard work and determination, the evolving role of women, and the struggles of individuals during the Great Depression add depth to the entertaining narrative. It is a must-watch for fans of classic movies and is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.

Telephone Operator is a 1937 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.