Michael_Elliott The Florodora Girl (1930) *** (out of 4) Set during the Gay Nineties, this film stars Marion Davies playing a chorus girl who is being taught how to play the "game" by a couple veterans. The game consists of landing a rich husband and she has one guy (Lawrence Gray) interested but the friends are constantly messing up the relationship. Soon the man finds himself broke and his mother objects to him marrying someone without money. It's funny but I never really considered Davies one of my favorite actresses but after viewing this movie I realized that I had seen the majority of her sound work, which is a lot more than I can say for some of my favorites. What I've come to realize with Davies is that even when the film isn't all that good and even when her performance might not be right, she still manages to come across very charming and fun. Whenever she is on she can be dynamite and that's exactly what she is in this piece, which has to be one of the best, if not the best film she did during the sound era. I was really impressed with how wonderful her performance was here because the comic timing was perfect but so was the more dramatic moments. I thought the first hour was extremely tight and well directed with Davies really going all out. There are countless funny situations and the majority of them work extremely well including one bit where she's on a swing with Gray. There's also a very funny sequence dealing with a "becoming a father" joke. Gray is also very good in his spot as the boyfriend and the rest of the supporting cast are good as well. With that said, there's no doubt that this film belongs to Davies. The final ten-minutes were originally shot in Technicolor but it has faded so bad that the sequence looks orange but I still enjoyed seeing Davies in somewhat color.

JohnHowardReid While not one of her most entertaining outings, "The Florodora Girl" has much to recommend it, especially in its musical interludes which a provide a feast of 1890's songs. Just about all these are well rendered by Miss Davies and chorus. Mr Gray, "who sings better than he talks" (as Mordaunt Hall aptly commented), has only the one number and irritatingly not only fails to join in singing the climactic, real Florodora hit, "Tell Me, Pretty Maiden", but actually louses it up. This is the way of the plot which tends to hamper the movie at every turn of its routine screws.Some poorly contrived humorous interludes with over-enthusiastic Walter Catlett, and Harry Beaumont's rather routine, static and uninspired direction do little to help; but fortunately the movie offers plenty of visual compensations by way of its lavish sets and costumes, in addition to the aural appeal of its music score.

MartinHafer Marion Davies starred in this film set during the "Gay Nineties". She is a chorus girl who seems to have little luck with the men. While her coworkers seem to have no trouble hooking rich boyfriends, Marion is just too awkward and "doesn't know the game" according to her friends. So, these ladies coach her on how to hook a man (Lawrence Gray). Unfortunately, while Gray is interested, initially his intentions are less than honorable. However, over time, it becomes clear that he really does love her and wants to marry her. Unfortunately, a severe financial reverse nixes their upcoming marriage. What is poor Marion to do? This is a very good film--despite widespread belief that Marion could not act, she did a pretty good job in this movie. While she seems awkward at times, this was part of her persona and due to excellent writing you really care for her. While at times the film is pretty formulaic, how they handled Gray's mother was unusual. Usually the rich parent is rather snooty or totally disapproves of a possible marriage to a chorus girl. Here, fortunately, the mother is much more complex. In particular, I loved the very sweet ending where the mother, as well as her son, welcome her into the family.This is an old fashion piece--one that fans of Hollywood's Golden Age (like myself) thoroughly enjoy. Others who demand newer movies or hate the style may not be convinced, but it is well worth a look.By the way, although the print is so faded that you really can't tell, the ending sequence was shot in 2-Color Technicolor. Unfortunately, due to time and a need for conservation, the movie now just looks very orange during the last 10 minutes.

drednm Marion Davies is quite good in her 3rd talkie, THE FLORODORA GIRL, playing one of the 1890s stage sensations. While the other girls are raking in jewelry and marrying wealthy men, Davies can't quite figure out the game and waits for Mr. Right. He appears in the person of society man, Jack Vibart (Lawrence Gray), but he has a terrible reputation as a womanizer and is engaged to a socialite. The girls decide to teach Davies how to play the game to rake in the loot, but she really doesn't want to scam Vibart. Turns out he is a fortune hunter since his family is broke. Can the lovers united? Several plot devices later, there is a happy, 2-strip Technicolor ending, possibly the only color footage Davies appears in.Nice film, accurate depiction of 1890s America. This film again proves the wonderful comedic talents of Marion Davies and draws from her early days on Broadway as a Ziegfeld Girl and musical star. She's marvelous, and so is Gray.Good supporting cast with Ilka Chase, Sam Hardy, George Chandler, Jed Prouty, Nance O'Neil, Vivian Oakland, Walter Catlett, Maude Turner Gordon, Anita Louise, and Louis John Bartels. Best scenes include Davies all dolled up in a makeshift gown from the theater's costume department, crashing a society ball and the color finale, which finally shows the musical routine that had the theater world agog: "Tell Me, Pretty Maiden." Sweet, innocent film, and very well done. Davies and Gray had starred together in the silent classic, THE PATSY, as well as Davies' starring talkie debut in MARIANNE.