Cafe Hostess
Cafe Hostess | |
---|---|
Benjamin Kline | |
Edited by | Al Clark |
Production company | Columbia Pictures |
Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 63 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Cafe Hostess is a 1940 American
Plot
Jo is a hostess, also known as a
Dan Walters, a sailor, and two friends show up at the club, and Jo begins to flirt with him. Finding that she likes him, she does not want to follow her usual routine of getting him drunk and taking his wallet, but Morgan insists. However, she is clumsy in her attempt, and is thwarted by Walters, who leaves, disillusioned with Jo, who he was beginning to like. Jo realizes that she would like to get out of her occupation, but Annie's failure to start a new life after leaving makes her unsure. Morgan is furious that she failed to lift the wallet, and slaps her around, leaving her bruised. When Walters returns to the club later, he notices the bruises and in an effort to get Jo out of the situation, offers to marry her and move away with her.
To assist in his plan to rescue Jo, Walters begins to snoop around in order to get dirt on Morgan. He uncovers quite a bit of illegal activity, and approaches Steve Mason, an undercover detective, with the information. Morgan learns from Nellie, the owner of another local establishment, of Walters' plan to take Jo away, and also discovers that Walters has spoken to Mason. He attempts to do away with Walters; the result is an all-out brawl, during which Morgan himself is knifed to death. Annie confesses to stabbing Morgan and gives herself up to Mason, who takes her away.
Cast
- Preston Foster as Dan Walters
- Ann Dvorak as Jo
- Douglas Fowley as Eddie Morgan
- Wynne Gibson as Annie
- Arthur Loft as Steve Mason
- Bruce Bennett as Budge
- Eddie Acuff as Scotty
- Bradley Page as Al
- Linda Wintersas Tricks
- Beatrice Blinn as Daisy
- Dick Wessel as Willie
- Peggy Shannon as Nellie
Production
Before filming began, the
On October 31 Columbia announced that they were retitling the film to Cafe Hostess.
Reception
Motion Picture Daily gave the film a lukewarm review, calling it a "routine melodrama", although the reviewer did praise the efforts of the cast.[11] The Motion Picture Herald gave the film a more positive review, although the reviewer felt the story was "unexciting". He noted "occasional outstanding melodramatic moments" and complimented the acting of the entire cast and especially Salkow's direction, stating that his deft pacing sustained the film despite the flawed story.[12]
References
- ^ a b c d "Cafe Hostess: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
- ^ "46 New Films Now In Work In Hollywood". Motion Picture Daily. October 3, 1939. p. 5. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
- ^ "Friday In Hollywood". Motion Picture Daily. October 7, 1939. p. 42. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
- ^ "Down the Alphabet". Variety. September 27, 1939. p. 5. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^ "Studios Have 36 Features Now In Work". Motion Picture Daily. October 24, 1939. p. 3. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
- ^ "Advance Production Chart". Variety. October 25, 1939. p. 16. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^ "Cafe Hostess: Notes". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on September 2, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^ "Title Changes". Variety. November 1, 1939. p. 18. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^ "The Release Chart". Motion Picture Daily. November 11, 1939. p. 73. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^ "National Decency Legion Classifies 11 Pictures". Motion Picture Herald. December 23, 1939. p. 30. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^ Edward Greif (January 11, 1940). "Feature Reviews: "Cafe Hostess"". Motion Picture Daily. p. 7. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^ Paul C. Mooney Jr. (January 20, 1940). "Showmen's Reviews: Cafe Hostess". Motion Picture Herald. pp. 46, 48. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
External links
- Cafe Hostess at IMDb
- Cafe Hostess at the TCM Movie Database
- Cafe Hostess at the American Film Institute Catalog