Lady of Burlesque (1943)

A different sort of Stanwyck, 1 July 2006

I love the alternate title for Lady of Burlesque. Just imagine seeing The G-String Murders on a marquee in 1943! How incredible would that have been? While the movie isn't as lurid as either title might suggest, it's a very enjoyable little film. Lady of Burlesque is the story of the murder of a dancer backstage at a burlesque show. Dixie Daisy (Barbara Stanwyck) is immediately the prime suspect, but there is no shortage of people who didn't care for the victim and wanted her out of the way.

There was a time, actually quite recently, when I didn't think I cared much for Barbara Stanwyck. Growing up, I had seen her in the television show The Big Valley and as I didn't like it, I thought I didn't care for Barbara Stanwyck. I have completely changed that opinion. Stanwyck could play the tough-as-nails woman with the best of them. In many of her movies, she comes across as a woman who won't take anything from anybody. She plays a similar character in Lady of Burlesque. Sure, it's a little softer character and less of a man-eater than I'm accustomed to, but Dixie Daisy can hold her own. You're not going to push her around. And I give Stanwyck credit for attempting something different in Lady of Burlesque. Singing and dancing do not appear to have been her forte, but she gives it a try.

Beyond Stanwyck, the two things I enjoyed most in Lady of Burlesque are the mystery elements of the story and the dialogue. I'm a sucker for a good 40s style mystery and this movie comes through. The backstage set with the various dark passageways, dressing rooms, and stairs provides a great set-up for a mystery. It's a fun one to play along with and the final reveal really caught me off guard. The pacing of the film is good with the character dialogue being the driving force. I was reminded on more than one of occasion of the Howard Hawks' films I enjoy so much. The characters in Lady of Burlesque speak in that same snappy, witty manner I associate with Hawks. It's nicely done.

The weakest part of Lady of Burlesque are the on-stage song and dance numbers. These scenes really drag things down. I have trouble believing anyone ever actually found this type of entertainment scandalous. To me, it's rather dull, unfunny, and not very entertaining.

7/10