Gigolette

Gigolette is a 1935 American romance film directed by Charles Lamont from a screenplay and story by Gordon Kahn. The film stars Adrienne Ames, Ralph Bellamy, Donald Cook, and Robert Armstrong.

For the French film, see Gigolette (1937 film).
Gigolette
Theatrical poster for the film
Directed byCharles Lamont
Produced byBurt Kelly
Written byGordon Kahn
StarringAdrienne Ames
Ralph Bellamy
Donald Cook
Robert Armstrong
Music byJohn Rochetti
CinematographyJoe Ruttenberg
Edited byWilliam P. Thompson
Production
company
Select Productions
Distributed byRKO Radio Pictures
Release date
  • February 15, 1935 (1935-02-15) (US)[1]
Running time
68 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Kay Parrish is the daughter of a former millionaire who lost everything in the stock market crash in 1929. She works as a waitress in a small country diner, where she meets Terrence Gallagher and Chuck Ahearn. Gallagher runs a speakeasy in New York City, where Ahearn works as his bouncer. Gallagher gives Kay his card, and tells him to look him up, but she scoffs at the idea. After they leave, Kay is told that her father has committed suicide. Determined to make something of her life, she travels to New York City to "make it big".

Once in New York, however, she is unable to find a job. Desperate, she looks up Gallagher, who hires her as a "gigolette", a young prostitute to entertain male clients at his club the "Hee Haw". Not in love with her work, and having a budding romantic interest between her and Gallagher, she repeatedly attempts to get him to open a "legit" club. He refuses, and during her work, Kay meets the wealthy Gregg Emerson, who she becomes romantically involved with. Shortly after, Gallagher is forced by the new liquor license laws, but he declares his intention to open up a new club.

Meanwhile, despite Kay being snubbed by his parents, Emerson declares his love for Kay and his intention to marry her. However, when Gallagher is in danger of losing his new club due to the extortion tactics of the gangster, Vanie Rourke, Kay gives Gallagher money to save the new club. The money was part of an engagement gift, and when he finds out, Emerson believes that Kay is in cahoots with Gallagher to defraud him. However, Gallagher is able to convince Emerson of Kay's fidelity, and the two are reunited.

Cast List

(cast list as per AFI database)[1]

Production

In June 1934 it was announced that Select Productions had purchased the rights to the original story by Gordon Kahn, "Gigolette".[2][3] It was the second of twelve scheduled productions for Select, a new production company which was filming pictures at the Biograph Studios in New York.[4] Casting for the film was scheduled for the middle of July 1934, with filming to begin on the 30th of the month.[5] On July 20 it was announced that Ralph Bellamy had been attached to the film's cast.[6] On July 25, it was revealed that Charles Lamont had been signed to direct the film,[7] and on the following day Robert Armstrong's participation in the picture was announced.[8] By July 27, Adrienne Ames was added to the cast.[9] The film did go into production at Biograph Studios on July 30, at which point it was also revealed that Donald Cook had a significant role in the picture.[10] A portion of the film was shot on location in Riverdale, New York.[11] During production WMCA did a live radio cast of the filming.[12][13] Milton Douglas, who had appeared in several Broadway productions, along with his orchestra, was signed to perform as part of the nightclub entertainment in the film.[14] By the end of August, photography on the picture was completed.[15] In mid-January 1935, the deal where RKO agreed to distribute the picture for Select was announced.[16] Gigolette was released nationally on February 15, 1935.[17] The Chicago Legion of Decency graded the film a "B", meaning that it was "unsuitable for children and adolescents", but was "neither approved nor disproved for adults."[18]

Reception

Harrison's Reports gave the film a poor review. They felt the picture was "sordid," without any sympathetic characters. They felt the story was "trite," and called the picture only "moderately entertaining."[19]

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References
  1. "Gigolette: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on April 2, 2014. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  2. Alicoate, Chas. (June 22, 1934). "Short Shots form Eastern Studios". The Film Daily. p. 4. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  3. "Purely Personal". Motion Picture Daily. June 22, 1934. p. 2. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  4. "Saal-Kelly Plan 12 at Biograph Studio". The Film Daily. June 5, 1934. p. 1. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  5. Alicoate, Chas. (July 18, 1934). "Short Shots form Eastern Studios". The Film Daily. p. 7. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  6. Alicoate, Charles (July 20, 1934). "Short Shots form Eastern Studios". The Film Daily. p. 4. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  7. Alicoate, Charles (July 25, 1934). "Short Shots form Eastern Studios". The Film Daily. p. 16. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  8. "Coming and Going". The Film Daily. July 26, 1934. p. 2. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  9. "Coming and Going". The Film Daily. July 27, 1934. p. 2. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  10. Alicoate, Chas. (July 30, 1934). "Short Shots form Eastern Studios". The Film Daily. p. 7. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  11. Alicoate, Chas. (August 9, 1934). "Short Shots form Eastern Studios". The Film Daily. p. 8. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  12. "To Broadcast Film". Motion Picture Daily. August 10, 1934. p. 2. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  13. "Film Studios Pick Up". Variety. August 14, 1934. p. 35. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  14. "Purely Personal". Motion Picture Daily. August 13, 1934. p. 2. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  15. "Coming and Going". The Film Daily. August 22, 1934. p. 2. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  16. "RKO to Distribute "Gigolette"". The Film Daily. January 12, 1935. p. 2. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  17. "Tenth Pictures". Harrison's Reports. February 23, 1935. p. 32. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  18. "Classification of Pictures". Harrison's Reports. March 30, 1935. p. 52. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  19. ""Gigolette" with Adrienne Ames, Ralph Bellamy and Donald Cook". Harrison's Reports. March 2, 1935. p. 35. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
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