You can't go too far wrong with a film directed by Frank Capra based on a Damon Runyon story. It may not be in the same league as "It's a Wonderful Life" or "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", but "Lady for a Day" has all of the charm and sweet sentiment of Capra's better known and highly regarded films. I love the snappy banter in old movies like this; a lot of it is delivered here by secondary characters like Happy Maguire (Ned Sparks) and Shakespeare (Nat Pendleton), who provide wonderful comedic foils for good natured gangster Dave the Dude (Warren William). The story's principal theme has been used before, as a poor street vendor by the name of Apple Annie (May Robson) is caught off guard when her long absent daughter decides to pay a visit with her fiancé, expecting to see a mother who's risen to the upper echelons of high society. It's dapper Dave who steps up to the plate to provide the wherewithal to pull off the charade with a host of colorful characters, while evading police surveillance on the search for a trio of missing newspaper reporters. The story is peppered with colorful names like Louie the Lug, The Weasel, and Harry the Horse, and even if their appearances are fleeting, you know that they're all in it to help The Dude support the good luck charm he has in Annie. Along with the spirited story and colorful characters, you have a New York City backdrop with those wonderful 1930's city street scenes, and a Times Square marquee that for once has Coca-Cola taking a back seat to another commercial advertiser. Who would ever have thought it would be Pepsodent?
Review of Lady for a Day
