The Big Street (1942)

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(71 ratings)

Lucille Ball delivers the finest dramatic performance of her career in this satisfying adaptation of Damon Runyon's The Big Street. Ball is cast as Gloria, aka "Your Highness," the vain and thoroughly selfish star attraction of gangster Case Ables' (Barton MacLaine) New York nightclub. Henry Fonda… More Lucille Ball delivers the finest dramatic performance of her career in this satisfying adaptation of Damon Runyon's The Big Street. Ball is cast as Gloria, aka "Your Highness," the vain and thoroughly selfish star attraction of gangster Case Ables' (Barton MacLaine) New York nightclub. Henry Fonda costars as busboy Little Pinks, who worships Gloria from afar. When Gloria is crippled by a fall downstairs-caused by a blow across the face by the sadistic Ables-Little Pinks selflessly waits upon the invalided and doggedly ungrateful songstress hand and foot. So devoted to Gloria is Pinks that he's willing to pilot her wheelchair from Manhattan to Florida so that she can renew her romance with callow playboy Decatur Reed (William Orr). Touched by Pinks' loyalty, his Runyonesque friends-Professor B (Ray Collins), Horsethief (Sam Levene), Mr. and Mrs. Nicely-Nicely Johnson (Eugene Pallette, Agnes Moorehead) and all the rest-raise enough money to open a Florida nightclub so that Gloria can put up a brave front. The ending is at once the most lachrymose and most effectively moving scene in the film, one that can only be spoiled if detailed here. Produced by Damon Runyon himself, The Big Street is one of the few completely successful filmed Runyon adaptations-as well as Lucille Ball's finest hour (and a half) on-screen. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 28 min.
Directed By: Irving Reis
Written By: Leonard Spigelgass
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Sep 4, 1942 Wide
On DVD: Jun 19, 2007

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A dispiriting tale.

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Henry is such a doormat in this you just want to shake him but a very fine supporting cast make it worthwhile and Lucy is mesmerizing in a completely atypical role.

Cast

            Henry Fonda as Little Pinks

            Lucille Ball as Gloria

            Agnes Moorehead as Violette

            Barton MacLane as Case Ables

            Eugene Pallette as Nicely Nicely Johnson

            Sam Levene as Horsethief

            Ray Collins as Professor B

            Marion Martin as Mrs. Venus

            William Orr as Decatur Reed

            George Cleveland as Col. Venus

            Vera Gordon as Mrs. Lefkowitz

            Louise Beavers as Maid

            Millard Mitchell as Gentleman George

            Juan Varro as Lou Adolia

            Hans Conried as Lonie the Headwaiter

            John Miljan as McWhirter

            Don Barclay as M.C.

            Julius Tannen as Judge Bamberger

            Charles Cane as Cop

            Pedro de Cordoba as Doctor

            Mimi Doyle as Nurse at Hospital

            Eddie Dunn as Mulvaney

            John Indrisano as Mug at Mindy's

            Donald Kirke as Surgeon

            George Magrill as Mug at Mindy's

            John Miller as Truck Driver

            Frank Moran as Mug

            Bob Perry as Toupee

            Ralph Peters as Florist

            Addison Richards as Dr. Mitchell

            Dewey Robinson as Truck Driver

            Sammy Stein as Mug at Mindy's

            Mary Stuart as Bit part

            Elliott Sullivan as Tramp

            Russell Wade as Bit part

            Marie Windsor as Girl

            Bert Hanlon as Philip the Weeper

            Richard Martin as Bit part

            Ozzie Nelson as Himself

            Ann Summers as Cashier

            Mary Halsey as Bit part

            Warren Jackson as Mug at Mindy's

            Tony Merlo as Mug at Mindy's
See full cast