Belle of the Nineties (1934)

49% of users liked it
(1,621 ratings)

Originally titled It Ain't No Sin until the censors prevailed, then St. Louis Woman and Belle of New Orleans, until complaints were registered from those two communities, Belle of the Nineties was Mae West's first post-Production Code film. West is cast as cabaret entertainer Ruby Carter, plying her… More Originally titled It Ain't No Sin until the censors prevailed, then St. Louis Woman and Belle of New Orleans, until complaints were registered from those two communities, Belle of the Nineties was Mae West's first post-Production Code film. West is cast as cabaret entertainer Ruby Carter, plying her trade along the Mississippi. Having no trouble surviving on her own terms in a man's world, Ruby fends off the unwarranted attentions of a steady stream of libidinous males, reserving her affections for a muscular boxer called The Tiger Kid (Roger Pryor). In keeping with the star's casual liberality, a number of black entertainers and athletes are given ample opportunities in this film, notably Duke Ellington and His Orchestra. The surest sign that the Code had "tamed" West a bit is the fact that she actually marries the hero at film's end. The musical highlights include West's unforgettable rendition of "My Old Flame". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 13 min.
Directed By: Leo McCarey
Written By: Mae West
Genres: Western, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1934 Wide
On DVD: Oct 10, 2000

Critic Reviews

Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
It's fast, fun and funny -- and the best-looking movie Mae West ever made, having the shimmery luster you only saw in Paramount movies.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Creaky and dated, but Mae West and her biting dialogue still sparkle.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

No Featured Audience Ratings Found…

Cast

            Mae West as Ruby Carter

            Roger Pryor as Tiger Kid

            Johnny Mack Brown as Brooks Claybourne

            Katherine De Mille as Molly Brant

            John Miljan as Ace Lamont

            James Donlan as Kirby

            Tom Herbert as Gilbert

            Stuart Holmes as Dirk

            Harry Woods as Slade

            Edward Gargan as Stogie

            Libby Taylor as Jasmine

            Augusta Anderson as Mrs. Claybourne

            Gene Austin as Crooner

            Ben Baker as Blackie

            Eddie Borden as Comedian

            Wade Boteler as Editor

            Tyler Brooke as Comedian

            Frederick Burton as Col. Claybourne

            Morrie Cohan as Butch

            Kay Deslys as Beef Trust Chorus Girl

            Sam Flint as Fire Chief

            Edward Hearn
            
            Warren Hymer as St. Louis Fighter

            Fuzzy Knight as Comedian

            Mike Mazurki
            
            Sam McDaniel as Brother Eben

            James Pierce
            
            Frank Rice as Best Man

            Walter Walker
            
            George Walsh as Leading Man

            Duke Ellington Orchestra
            
            Katherine DeMille
            
See full cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started