Finishing School (1933)

57% of users liked it
(79 ratings)

The scandalous doings behind the high-toned exterior of a private school for rich young women provides the framework for this interesting but turgid drama. Much of the story centers on an unhappy socialite and her smart-alecky, world-wise roomy who has no morals at all when it comes to getting what… More The scandalous doings behind the high-toned exterior of a private school for rich young women provides the framework for this interesting but turgid drama. Much of the story centers on an unhappy socialite and her smart-alecky, world-wise roomy who has no morals at all when it comes to getting what she wants. This of course, puts her at odds with the school's overly class-conscious administration, who live in mortal fear of scandal. As a result, the staff is encouraged to remain cool and aloof, something that causes the lonely socialite, who longs for her parents love, to become deeply depressed. Unfortunately, her father doesn't seem to care and her mother is too busy climbing the social ladder to notice. The socialite becomes increasingly despondent and thinks of suicide. Still she is not immune to the girlish pranks and gaiety of her peers. Her life also improves when she falls in love with the handsome med student who works at the school as a waiter. Unfortunately, things get bad again when he accidentally impregnates her. Fortunately, it all works out for her in the end. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 13 min.
Directed By: George Nichols Jr., Wanda Tuchock
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: May 4, 1934 Wide
On DVD: Jan 29, 1991

Critic Reviews

Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views
The drinking, partying and sex come across more as a means to shock than actually make some sort of statement.
Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com
The film feels like it was developed as a saucy comedy for the pre-code era worked over to meet the new requirements of the Production Code.

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Cast

            Frances Dee as Virginia Radcliff

            Billie Burke as Mrs. Radcliff

            Ginger Rogers as Pony

            Bruce Cabot as Ralph McFarland

            John Halliday as Mr. Radcliff

            Beulah Bondi as Miss Van Alstyn

            Sara Haden as Miss Fisher

            Marjorie Lytell as Ruth

            Adalyn Doyle as Madeline Kelly

            Joan Barclay as Short Girl

            Ann Cameron as Miss Schmidt

            Rose Coghlan as Miss Garland

            Jane Darwell as Maud the Head Nurse

            Irene Franklin as Aunt Jessica

            Helen Freeman as Dr. Hewitt

            Joey Long
            
            Claire Myers as Girl

            Jack Norton as Drunk

            Linda Q
            
            Caroline Rankin as Miss Weber

            Anne Shirley as Billie

            Margo St. Mann
            
            Suzanne Thompson as Girl

            Edith Vale as Girl

            George Nichols Jr.
            
            Eddie Baker
            
            John David Horsley
            
            Florence Roberts
            
See full cast

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