The film, "The Primrose Path" is from a stage play of the same name. However, originally it was from a novel, "February Hill". But, in the course of being translated to the stage and then the screen, the story was changed substantially. Considering the strong Production Code, this is not at all surprising and so much of the final film product is vague because the film wouldn't be allowed to say exactly what it was implying!
When the film begins, you see a supposedly young Ellie May (Ginger Rogers) at home with her trashy family. Exactly HOW trashy the film never says and it's only later you start to realize the full extent of their trashiness. The father is a drunk and the mother (Marjorie Rambeau--who was Oscar-nominate for this performance) is from a long line of prostitutes--and her ex-prostitute mother lives with them. You assume that eventually Ellie May will follow in the family business. But this does NOT occur. Instead, she meets nice-guy Ed (Joel McCrea) and tells him a lie about her supposedly strict and caring family. They fall in love and marry. However, there still is the problem of her family. He's never met them and has no idea how bad they are. Unfortunately, that day eventually arrives and Ed is dumbfounded when he sees the truth for himself. And, not surprisingly, he's angry and assumes Ellie May lied just to trick him into marriage and he tells her to get lost. What's next? Will Ellie May enter the family business? See the film.
The film clearly would have been better without the restrictive Production Code. Now I am NOT saying they should have sexed up the film--just been more clear from the beginning as to what profession the women of the family chose. This would have made it so much less confusing. And, another serious problem was the casting of Ginger Rogers. While her acting was just fine, Ginger was a 29 year-old woman playing a teenager--which was simply ridiculous. However, there is still a lot to like. My favorite cast member was not Rambeau (though she was really good) but Queenie Vassar who played her mother! Grandma was simply awful--mean, sleazy and rotten--exactly what you would expect from a broken-down prostitute! She was by far the most realistic part of the family and was highly entertaining (in a "Jerry Springer" sort of way). Additionally, McCrea was nice, as always, Miles Mander was excellent as the alcoholic father and Henry Travers was a delight. Overall, I'd give the movie a 7 though with a more straight-forward script it could have easily earned an 8 or 9. Well worth seeing in spite of its flaws.
When the film begins, you see a supposedly young Ellie May (Ginger Rogers) at home with her trashy family. Exactly HOW trashy the film never says and it's only later you start to realize the full extent of their trashiness. The father is a drunk and the mother (Marjorie Rambeau--who was Oscar-nominate for this performance) is from a long line of prostitutes--and her ex-prostitute mother lives with them. You assume that eventually Ellie May will follow in the family business. But this does NOT occur. Instead, she meets nice-guy Ed (Joel McCrea) and tells him a lie about her supposedly strict and caring family. They fall in love and marry. However, there still is the problem of her family. He's never met them and has no idea how bad they are. Unfortunately, that day eventually arrives and Ed is dumbfounded when he sees the truth for himself. And, not surprisingly, he's angry and assumes Ellie May lied just to trick him into marriage and he tells her to get lost. What's next? Will Ellie May enter the family business? See the film.
The film clearly would have been better without the restrictive Production Code. Now I am NOT saying they should have sexed up the film--just been more clear from the beginning as to what profession the women of the family chose. This would have made it so much less confusing. And, another serious problem was the casting of Ginger Rogers. While her acting was just fine, Ginger was a 29 year-old woman playing a teenager--which was simply ridiculous. However, there is still a lot to like. My favorite cast member was not Rambeau (though she was really good) but Queenie Vassar who played her mother! Grandma was simply awful--mean, sleazy and rotten--exactly what you would expect from a broken-down prostitute! She was by far the most realistic part of the family and was highly entertaining (in a "Jerry Springer" sort of way). Additionally, McCrea was nice, as always, Miles Mander was excellent as the alcoholic father and Henry Travers was a delight. Overall, I'd give the movie a 7 though with a more straight-forward script it could have easily earned an 8 or 9. Well worth seeing in spite of its flaws.