Polly Moran owns a very successful beauty salon/day spa in New York. When her sister (Marie Dressler) and family come on hard times in Indiana, Polly invites them all to come live with her in her posh apartment. However, over time, familiarity naturally breeds contempt and the sisters are at each other's throats. It's obvious that Dressler and her brood must move out and it looks like the sisters will never speak again.
This is one of several Polly Moran-Marie Dressler films MGM made in the early 30s. These comedies were pretty cute and worked well because the characters (particularly Dressler) were very likable and "normal"--not the usual pretty and glamorous Hollywood-types. However, I definitely agree with another reviewer (drednm) that the film is uneven but still funny. The reason I say this is because at times the comedy is a bit forced--such as the railroad berth or spittoon scenes. They just went on and on and the humor got a bit stale. However, despite the early portions of the film being poor at times, stick with this film--as it gets better and better as the film goes. In particular, towards the end the movie really picks up the pace--probably because the movie abandons comedy and tries quite successfully to be a heart-warming drama. A very good film--mostly due to Marie Dressler's usual wonderful acting.
By the way, although I liked the film I hated the inclusion of Roscoe Ates's small part in the film. His schtick was playing a stutterer and in this day and age, this just seems insensitive and annoying. Thankfully, he was only in the film about three minutes.
This is one of several Polly Moran-Marie Dressler films MGM made in the early 30s. These comedies were pretty cute and worked well because the characters (particularly Dressler) were very likable and "normal"--not the usual pretty and glamorous Hollywood-types. However, I definitely agree with another reviewer (drednm) that the film is uneven but still funny. The reason I say this is because at times the comedy is a bit forced--such as the railroad berth or spittoon scenes. They just went on and on and the humor got a bit stale. However, despite the early portions of the film being poor at times, stick with this film--as it gets better and better as the film goes. In particular, towards the end the movie really picks up the pace--probably because the movie abandons comedy and tries quite successfully to be a heart-warming drama. A very good film--mostly due to Marie Dressler's usual wonderful acting.
By the way, although I liked the film I hated the inclusion of Roscoe Ates's small part in the film. His schtick was playing a stutterer and in this day and age, this just seems insensitive and annoying. Thankfully, he was only in the film about three minutes.