Glad Rag Doll (1929) review: A weirdly fun relic about snooty rich people

Is it worth your time?

If you like those old stories where a working-class girl makes a bunch of stuffy rich people look like idiots, then yeah, you'll probably dig this.

It’s a bit of a time capsule from 1929.

People who need explosions or fast talking will absolutely hate it.

It moves slow. Like, really slow.

But there is something about Dolores Costello’s face that just keeps you watching.

The Setup

Annabelle Lee is an actress, which back then was basically code for "trouble" to the upper class.

John Fairchild is the rich guy who is obsessed with her.

The funny thing is, she doesn’t even like him back.

Usually in these movies, the girl is trying to marry into the money, but Annabelle is just kind of... annoyed?

The Fairchild family is the worst part, in a good way.

They are so convinced she’s a gold digger that they try to bribe her.

It reminded me a bit of the family drama in Fine Feathers, but maybe less depressing.

The Garden Party Scene

Okay, the middle of the movie is basically one long garden party.

This is where the movie gets weirdly specific about the dances of the day.

There’s a lot of flailing around.

It feels like the director just told everyone to "act rich" and they all decided that meant standing very stiffly until the music started.

Then there is the kleptomaniac.

This character feels like they wandered in from a completely different movie.

They just keep stealing stuff while everyone else is arguing about marriage and honor.

It’s actually the funniest part, even if it doesn't really fit the plot. 😂

Small details I noticed

• The way Claude Gillingwater looks at Annabelle is so mean it's almost impressive.
• There is a shot of a hat that looks like a giant mushroom.
• The music in the background feels a little bit too loud for the dialogue sometimes.
• Louise Beavers shows up and she’s great, as usual, but she doesn't get enough to do.

I found myself thinking about The Small Town Girl while watching this.

It has that same vibe of "what happens when the theater world hits the real world?"

The script is kind of clunky in places.

Like, there’s a moment where a character explains their entire motivation out loud to a vase.

I’m pretty sure people don't do that.

The Pacing

It drags in the second act.

You can tell they were trying to stretch the garden party to make the movie longer.

Some of the reaction shots stay on the actors' faces for like five seconds too long.

It starts to feel like they forgot to yell cut.

But then Ralph Graves does something charming and you kind of forgive it.

He has this very 1920s way of leaning against walls.

Is it a masterpiece?

No, definitely not.

It’s a "glad rag" of a movie—kind of flashy and cheap but fun to look at for a while.

The whole conflict about paying her off feels so old-fashioned now.

Nowadays, she’d just take the money and start a podcast or something.

The ending is a bit rushed, too.

Everything just... happens?

It’s like they realized they were running out of film and needed to wrap it up.

Still, I’d take this over some of the boring stuff they put out now.

Even if that personality is a bit confused and likes stealing silverware.

"I wouldn't marry into this family if you gave me the whole house."

Annabelle says something like that, and you really feel it.

The house looks very drafty anyway.

If you're bored on a Sunday, give it a look.

Just don't expect it to change your life or anything. 🎬