DbcultAccessing Vault...
6.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Hat Check Girl remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Okay, so "Hat Check Girl" isn't exactly a lost classic. But if you're into those fast-talking dames from early 30s Hollywood, trying to make a buck in a slightly shady world, you might find some real fun here. Don't go in expecting deep drama or super polished production, though. This one's mostly for the folks who love digging into the pre-Code era. 🎬
It's all about Gerry Marsh, played by Sally Eilers. She’s a hat-check girl at a nightclub, which means she’s surrounded by... well, the usual suspects. Bootleggers, sure. Blackmailers and other questionable types are definitely floating around.
Her girlfriend, Jessie (Ginger Rogers), works there too. Their friendship is a nice touch, a little bit of loyalty in a tough spot. You get a sense they’ve seen a lot together.
The club itself has this specific kind of energy. Not super fancy, but always buzzing. You can practically smell the stale smoke and cheap perfume through the screen. There's this one scene where Gerry deals with a drunk guy, just brushes him off without a fuss. Like she's done it a thousand times before. Very real.
Sally Eilers has this weary charm. She’s pretty, yes, but there's this underlying sense she's been through some stuff. You totally believe she’s working hard for her living. And Ginger Rogers, even in this early role, just pops. Her energy is infectious, even when she's just in the background. She had that star quality already, you know? ✨
The whole "falling in love with millionaire playboy Buster Collins" (Ben Lyon) part feels a bit quick. One minute they're chatting, the next, it’s serious business. The movie really wants you to believe they connect, but it’s more like a plot device than a slow burn romance. It almost feels a little forced.
There's this super brief moment with Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, blink and you miss it. He’s just a guy at a table, but his voice is already so recognizable. It’s always neat to spot these early appearances of actors who later became big.
The dialogue zips along, often with people talking over each other. It gives everything a frantic, very alive feeling, like everyone has something to say and no time to waste. Some of the lines are actually pretty snappy, which is always a plus.
The plot, especially with the blackmailers and all, gets a tad messy. It’s not always crystal clear who’s doing what to whom, or even why sometimes. But honestly, you just kind of roll with it. The stakes never feel sky-high; it's more like Gerry just needs to navigate this chaotic situation.
One thing that sticks out: how fast everything happens and then gets resolved. A problem appears, Gerry's in a bind, then poof, it’s sorted. It’s a very brisk film. No time for lingering. The camera often feels very direct, not a lot of fancy shots. But that’s part of its charm, too. It knows what it is.
The ending feels a little too neat, actually. After all that rough-and-tumble, it just kind of... settles. But, hey, it’s a pre-Code. You expect some chaos, but also a dash of things tidying up. Like in Easy Come, Easy Go, things mostly work out.
So, yeah. It’s a quick watch. You won't be dissecting it for days, but it’s a solid little window into early 30s working life, even if it's a bit dressed up. Eilers carries it with a believable grit, and Rogers, well, she’s a total delight. If you enjoy films like Flirty Four-Flushers or Caleb Piper's Girl, this slots right in. Definitely worth a watch on a lazy afternoon. 👍
IMDb —
1918
Community
Log in to comment.
