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Goin' to Town

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For the later film, see Goin' to Town (1944 film).
Goin' To Town
Theatrical poster
Directed byAlexander Hall
Screenplay byMae West
Story byMarion Morgan
George B. Dowell
Produced byWilliam LeBaron
StarringMae West
Paul Cavanagh
Gilbert Emery
Marjorie Gateson
Tito Coral
Ivan Lebedeff
CinematographyKarl Struss
Edited byLeRoy Stone
Music bySammy Fain
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • April 25, 1935 (1935-04-25)
Running time
74 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Goin' To Town is a 1935 musical comedy film directed by Alexander Hall and written by Mae West. The film stars Mae West, Paul Cavanagh, Gilbert Emery, Marjorie Gateson, Tito Coral and Ivan Lebedeff. The film was released on April 25, 1935, by Paramount Pictures.[1][2] The film stars Mae West. She used her own voice, prompting Mordant Hall to state the following in his review, "the highlight of the picture is Miss West singing high opera (really!)."

West was already the highest paid actress in Hollywood when Goin' To Town was released, and her bold, controversial performances and bawdy, irreverent humor had made her a popular figure in Hollywood's pre-Code era. In Goin' To Town, she brings all of these qualities to the role of Cleo Borden, delivering a memorable and entertaining performance that has helped to make the film a classic of its time.

The film was a box office success upon its release and received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its humor and West's performance. In the years since its release, Goin' To Town has continued to be remembered and enjoyed by audiences, and it remains a popular choice for fans of classic Hollywood cinema. The original title of the film was "Now I'm A Lady", but the Hays office mandated the title change just before the film was released. Miss West's pet monkey, "Boogie", makes a cameo in the film. A musical number, "Love is Love in any Woman's Heart" was cut from the film at the star's request, she felt it was not in line with her character. The song is still used over the closing titles.

Plot

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Cleo Borden (West) is a saloon singer out west whose cattle rustling boyfriend (Fred Kohler) dies right before their wedding day (in which they signed a paper agreeing to marry) and leaves her a fortune. She sets her sights on a handsome Brit in Carrington (Paul Cavanaugh) surveying the oil wells on her property and spends the rest of the picture trying to win him over, having placed a bet on it. He considers her "Crude oil", which leads to West stating her desire to become a lady if it kills me!" Part of her quest includes throwing an opera and singing the lead in a scene from Samson and Delilah.

It also takes her to Buenos Aires, where she meets Ivan Valadov, a Russian millionaire with a mistress in Mrs. Crane Brittony. Brittony and Borden make a bet over which of their horses will win a race, which Borden wins. Later, Fletcher Colton (the niece of Brittony) offers her a title in a loveless marriage in Southampton. Carrington returns to see her while having a new title of being the Earl of Stratton. A feud with Brittony dovetails when Colton shoots himself in a scuffle when Valadov is brought by Brittony to see Borden. The film ends with a briefcase listing "Lord and Lady Stratton".

Cast

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References

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  1. ^ "Goin' to Town (1935) - Overview". TCM.com. Retrieved 2015-07-21.
  2. ^ Senwald, Andre (1935-05-11). "Movie Review - - The Paramount Presents Mae West in 'Goin' to Town' - 'Bride of Frankenstein,' at the Roxy". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2015-07-21.
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