SADIE MCKEE (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1934), directed by Clarence Brown, based on the story by Vina Delmar, stars Joan Crawford in one of her top movie roles for the studio. Once more playing a Sadie character named McKee, as opposed to Sadie Thompson from RAIN (United Artists, 1932), Crawford's role here is as a devoted and self-sacrificing woman with three men to consider.
Sadie McKee (Joan Crawford) is introduced as the daughter of a cook (Helen Ware) for the Alderson estate in Richley, New York. Though she has known Michael Alderson (Franchot Tone) since childhood, she has been in love with Tommy Wallace since she was 17. After overhearing Michael discussing Tommy (who has been fired for stealing from the neighborhood factory) in a negative manner, Sadie denouces her employers and quits. She goes away with Tommy (Gene Raymond) by train to New York City where he hopes for a better life. Thanks to the kindness of Opal (Jean Dixon), a stranger, Tommy and Sadie acquire a walk up flat with bathroom in hallway. With intentions on getting married the next day, Sadie goes off looking for a job. While singing in the bathroom, Tommy's voice catches the attention of Dolly Merrick (Esther Ralston), who immediately hires him for an act in Connecticut. Not wanting to lose his opportunity, Tommy leaves Sadie a farewell note. Opal then arranges the embittered Sadie a dancing job in a nightclub where she encounters Jack Brennan (Edward Arnold), an alcoholic millionaire, accompanied by his lawyer, Michael. Before the night of over, Brennan proposes marriage to Sadie, and accepts, against the wishes of Michael. Though Brennan's servants think Sadie is a tramp after Brennan's millions, she is, in fact, helping her husband from his alcoholism in order to save his life. In spite of her devotion to Brennan, whom she does not love, she still cannot stop thinking about Tommy. Co-starring Leo G. Carroll (Finnigan, the Butler); Akim Tamiroff, Zelda Sears, Frank Conroy, Samuel S. Hinds and Walter Walker.
Though essentially a drama, song numbers featured include: "All I Do Is Dream of You," "When I Look In Your Eyes," "After You've Gone" (performed by Gene Austin and Candy Candido)," "All I Do Is Dream of You" (reprise) and "Your Kiss Can Leave Me Weak and Willing." Of the tunes, "All I Do is Dream of You" has become a song standard.
Not quite as iconic as Crawford's Academy Award winning performance as MILDRED PIERCE (Warner Brothers, 1934), SADIE MCKEE is an interesting commodity. It must have been one of Crawford's favorites since it was clipped in her latter work of WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (WB, 1961) in which her character watches her old movie on television with much admiration. Working for the third movie in a row opposite Franchot Tone, and only time with Gene Raymond and Edward Arnold, Arnold comes off second best as the alcoholic who refuses to give up the bottle. His drunken scenes are believably played, and even more agreeable when sober and sensible. Raymond proves to be a good singer during his song interludes along with some nice dramatic touches, while Jean Dixon, in a manner of character actress, Cecil Cunningham, plays amusingly as the wisecracking best friend.
Distributed to home video in the 1990s, and later DVD, SADIE MCKEE was resurrected after years of obscurity on Turner Network Television (1988-1991) and Turner Classic Movies cable channels for a new generation to enjoy. Good job, Sadie. (***)
Sadie McKee (Joan Crawford) is introduced as the daughter of a cook (Helen Ware) for the Alderson estate in Richley, New York. Though she has known Michael Alderson (Franchot Tone) since childhood, she has been in love with Tommy Wallace since she was 17. After overhearing Michael discussing Tommy (who has been fired for stealing from the neighborhood factory) in a negative manner, Sadie denouces her employers and quits. She goes away with Tommy (Gene Raymond) by train to New York City where he hopes for a better life. Thanks to the kindness of Opal (Jean Dixon), a stranger, Tommy and Sadie acquire a walk up flat with bathroom in hallway. With intentions on getting married the next day, Sadie goes off looking for a job. While singing in the bathroom, Tommy's voice catches the attention of Dolly Merrick (Esther Ralston), who immediately hires him for an act in Connecticut. Not wanting to lose his opportunity, Tommy leaves Sadie a farewell note. Opal then arranges the embittered Sadie a dancing job in a nightclub where she encounters Jack Brennan (Edward Arnold), an alcoholic millionaire, accompanied by his lawyer, Michael. Before the night of over, Brennan proposes marriage to Sadie, and accepts, against the wishes of Michael. Though Brennan's servants think Sadie is a tramp after Brennan's millions, she is, in fact, helping her husband from his alcoholism in order to save his life. In spite of her devotion to Brennan, whom she does not love, she still cannot stop thinking about Tommy. Co-starring Leo G. Carroll (Finnigan, the Butler); Akim Tamiroff, Zelda Sears, Frank Conroy, Samuel S. Hinds and Walter Walker.
Though essentially a drama, song numbers featured include: "All I Do Is Dream of You," "When I Look In Your Eyes," "After You've Gone" (performed by Gene Austin and Candy Candido)," "All I Do Is Dream of You" (reprise) and "Your Kiss Can Leave Me Weak and Willing." Of the tunes, "All I Do is Dream of You" has become a song standard.
Not quite as iconic as Crawford's Academy Award winning performance as MILDRED PIERCE (Warner Brothers, 1934), SADIE MCKEE is an interesting commodity. It must have been one of Crawford's favorites since it was clipped in her latter work of WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (WB, 1961) in which her character watches her old movie on television with much admiration. Working for the third movie in a row opposite Franchot Tone, and only time with Gene Raymond and Edward Arnold, Arnold comes off second best as the alcoholic who refuses to give up the bottle. His drunken scenes are believably played, and even more agreeable when sober and sensible. Raymond proves to be a good singer during his song interludes along with some nice dramatic touches, while Jean Dixon, in a manner of character actress, Cecil Cunningham, plays amusingly as the wisecracking best friend.
Distributed to home video in the 1990s, and later DVD, SADIE MCKEE was resurrected after years of obscurity on Turner Network Television (1988-1991) and Turner Classic Movies cable channels for a new generation to enjoy. Good job, Sadie. (***)