On the heels of "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle" and "Bachelor Mother", Ginger Rogers made this film about a young woman who meets an older man on a park bench and becomes entangled in his life. The first two films are engaging, but "5th Avenue Girl" is slightly disappointing.
Ginger had worked with director Gregory La Cava in his last film, the wonderful "Stage Door", and she would star in his next film, "Primrose Path". But "5th Avenue Girl" is not among her best. Ginger described her role as a "poor, breezy girl", but it lacks the breeze that is so evident in many of her other performances. In fact, her portrayal of Mary Grey feels muted.
Part of the blame also lies with the story itself. Along the way, it delivers some muddy dialogue about capitalism and the social classes that goes nowhere. And the romantic aspects of the film feel incidental, as if they were added as an afterthought.
Walter Connolly plays Timothy Borden, the business owner who enters Mary's life. Though he is an interesting character and we understand his point of view, his intentions are vague.
This film had potential, but it falls short as eithera comedy or a romance, especially when compared to almost any other film Ginger Rogers made.
Ginger had worked with director Gregory La Cava in his last film, the wonderful "Stage Door", and she would star in his next film, "Primrose Path". But "5th Avenue Girl" is not among her best. Ginger described her role as a "poor, breezy girl", but it lacks the breeze that is so evident in many of her other performances. In fact, her portrayal of Mary Grey feels muted.
Part of the blame also lies with the story itself. Along the way, it delivers some muddy dialogue about capitalism and the social classes that goes nowhere. And the romantic aspects of the film feel incidental, as if they were added as an afterthought.
Walter Connolly plays Timothy Borden, the business owner who enters Mary's life. Though he is an interesting character and we understand his point of view, his intentions are vague.
This film had potential, but it falls short as eithera comedy or a romance, especially when compared to almost any other film Ginger Rogers made.