Watch Waterfront Lady
- PG
- 1935
- 1 hr 8 min
-
6.0 (150)
Waterfront Lady is a 1935 drama film that revolves around a young and beautiful Kathie Egan (Ann Rutherford) who aspires to become a singer but ends up being a hostess at a waterfront saloon called the Cafe Cozy in New York. Despite her job, Kathie is a woman of dignity and self-respect. She befriends a sailor named Dan, played by Frank Albertson, who is passionate about music and dreams of making it big. Soon, they both realize that they share a lot in common, and their friendship gradually transforms into an innocent love affair.
Kathie attracts the attention of several wealthy suitor's, including a corrupt businessman named Carl Travis who owns the illegal gambling establishment in the city. Travis becomes obsessed with Kathie and tries to lure her into his lavish lifestyle by offering her expensive gifts and promises of fame.
But Kathie is an independent woman with a conscience, and she refuses to sell out her integrity for money and status. She is repulsed by Travis's advances and turns down his inappropriate propositions, which causes Travis to plot revenge against her.
At the same time, Dan's music career takes off, and he invites Kathie to come with him on a nationwide tour, but she can't decide between her love for Dan and her loyalty to the Cafe Cozy. She eventually chooses her conscience and decides to stay back, which leads to some unforeseen and tragic consequences.
Waterfront Lady is a poignant story of a young, headstrong woman fighting to retain her self-respect in a world dominated by greed and corruption. The film explores themes of love, loyalty, ambition, and the sacrifices one has to make to achieve one's dreams.
Ann Rutherford delivers a stellar performance as Kathie, portraying her character's vulnerability and strength with ease. Frank Albertson's portrayal of Dan is charming and endearing, and their chemistry is palpable on screen. J. Farrell MacDonald's performance as the wise and kindhearted bartender, who acts as a mentor to Kathie, is also noteworthy.
The film's direction by Joseph Santley is excellent in portraying the seedy and gritty world of the waterfront saloons, with its dimly lit surroundings, bawdy music, and questionable characters. The cinematography by Harry Neumann captures the mood of the film perfectly, with some commendable camera work during the musical numbers.
In conclusion, Waterfront Lady is a must-watch movie for fans of classic Hollywood dramas. It's a timeless tale of a young woman's struggle to stay true to her values amidst the temptations of fame and riches, and her journey of self-discovery and determination to achieve her dreams. The stellar cast, excellent direction, and memorable musical numbers make it a must-see for all cinema lovers.
Waterfront Lady is a 1935 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 8 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.