The Big Street (1942)
-
68% of users liked it
(80 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… 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
- Directed By
- Irving Reis
- Written By
- Leonard Spigelgass
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Classics
- In Theaters
- Sep 4, 1942 Wide
Critic Reviews
-
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A dispiriting tale.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
UltraViolet Retailers
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
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