Party Girl (1930) is a messy, fascinating relic

Is it worth your time?

If you like old movies where the drama is dialed up to eleven, then yeah, give it a watch. It's perfect for people who enjoy pre-Code messiness and seeing how actors struggled with early microphones. If you hate slow pacing or stories that feel like a lecture on morals, you'll probably want to skip this one. 🍸

The movie is called Party Girl, but the partying actually looks pretty exhausting. Ellen, played by Judith Barrie, is trying to go legit and leave her 'fast' life behind.

She’s got a fiancé, but then this other woman named Leona shows up. Leona is basically a human wrecking ball who decides she wants Ellen's guy just to be mean.

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is in this, and he is way too energetic for everyone else. He’s bouncing around while the other actors look like they are afraid to move too far from the hidden microphones.

There’s this one scene in a crowded room where the background noise is so loud you can barely hear the plot. It’s kind of funny because it feels like the sound guy just gave up for a minute.

I kept thinking about Midnight Rose while watching this. Both movies have that weird, grimy feeling of the city being a trap for young women.

Marie Prevost shows up and she is easily the best part. She has this look in her eyes like she’s seen everything and doesn't care about any of it.

The wedding plot happens so fast it’ll make your head spin. One minute they are talking, and the next, a marriage is happening because of a total lie. It’s wildly unrealistic, even for 1930.

It’s a bit like Torment in the way it tries to be super serious but ends up being a bit silly. The 'cautionary tale' part is laid on so thick it’s like being hit with a bag of bricks.

I noticed a guy in the background of the club scene who is just staring directly into the camera. He looks like he's wondering when lunch is. 🍕

The dialogue is stiff, but that’s part of the charm. It’s not as polished as something like Smilin' Through, but it has more 'edge' I guess.

Ellen’s outfits are actually pretty great, though. Even when her life is falling apart, her hats are perfect.

The ending feels like they just ran out of money or time. It just sort of... stops. No big wrap-up, just a quick finish that leaves you wondering if you missed a reel.

It isn't a masterpiece, but it's a weirdly fun time capsule. Just don't take the 'lesson' too seriously.