Page 33 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 113

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #113 June 2022 33

Continued from page 32 boarding house roommate Eddie grown sister Nancy (Martha Sleeper). allowing those dance hall defenses to
Miller (Monroe Owsley) – a bumbling Partying with the rich, his constant fade away. In lesser hands, it likely
lamenting the work of a taxi guy who has already been eaten up and lies about his marriage allow him to wouldn’t be as believable, for as things
dancer, that is, a girl hired to shimmy spit out in just a few short weeks in date the wealthy woman. . . living well worsen as the narrative drives toward
with libidinous men at a happening New York City. beyond his means. Furthermore, he its conclusion, she must live by way
nightclub for ten cents a dance, poor Softening her heart, she gives the begins investing their money, and later of her wits once more (that hardening
Barbara O’Neill (Barbara Stanwyck) C-note to him. . . also putting in a good stealing more from Carlton’s company, returning). . . a true roller-coaster ride
is our titular character. For film fans, word for him with Carlton, who gifts to play the stock market with some of a performance.
something immediately evident is that him a job despite having no true skills or illegal tips from his old buddy. Leading Though not as racy as many other
there is already a piece of her to a rather sticky situation, what will
confidence. Soon, Barbara’s breaking Pre-Code features, Ten Cents a Dance
most famous character, Phyllis the rich man’s heart, marrying Eddie become of this unusual marriage? How is still fun fare. You can see how, at
might the third wheel, Mr.
Dietrichson from Double Indemnity, instead (though he insists on keeping the time, it held some controversy
raring to come out. She’s bold, blunt, the whole thing secret – not only from Carlton, play a role in its solution? – the dance hall full of sex-crazed
and brash, or brunette, bad, and his new boss, but from everybody). And can a taxi dancer ever just catch sailors and single men, the affairs on
beautiful – whichever 3Bs you prefer, Of course, this should be a red flag. a break? the side, the embezzlement, and so
a no nonsense dancer who does it her Soon after the marriage, Eddie seems Centered on Stanwyck’s solid on, all giving this a bit of a sharpened
way. . . much to the chagrin of the to become much more frustrated, performance, she is hard-boiled, edge. Plus, the narrative rings so very
dowager in charge of the ladies, Mrs. even angry, with their lot in life, and cynical, and harsh, but somehow true to the struggles of people during
Blanchard (Blanche Friderici). the Great Depression – after all, many
begins keeping rather irregular hours balances that with a matriarchal
Pursued by rich socialite Bradley (but don’t call the office to check on passion and charm. One of the true would have been in a similar position
to the married couple found at the heart
Carlton (Ricardo Cortez) – equipped this, he tells his wife. . . after all, he spectacles of Pre- Code cinema (1933’s
of this story. So, pay your ten cent fee
with charming pencil mustache and doesn’t want anyone knowing they’re Baby Face is another prime example),
and join this dance, that’s the only
plenty of gifts (including a hundred married). What’s he really doing? her character really goes through
way you’ll find out if the fox trots off
dollar tip), a triangle is created when Well, he’s met an old rich friend, Ralph quite the transformation, at first hard
happily ever after, or if that dreaded
Barbara feels sorry for poor sap and Clark (David Newell), and his now shelled. . . her edges soften, marriage
married male swinger wins.