Party Girl Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A limping mob lawyer falls for a showgirl, tries to quit the gangster life, but his boss is a clingy nightmare and a miraculous leg surgery complicates things.

🍿 Party Girl: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Lawyer in the Underworld

Set in Chicago during the early 1930s, the film introduces Tommy Farrell, a brilliant defense attorney whose clientele consists exclusively of the city’s most notorious criminals. Despite his sharp legal mind, Tommy lives a life intertwined with the mob, most notably serving mob kingpin Rico Angelo. Farrell operates in a morally ambiguous world, using his skills to keep dangerous men out of prison. His success has come at a personal cost, leaving him cynical and emotionally guarded, partly due to a physical disability from a childhood accident.

Meeting the Dancer

At a party hosted by Rico Angelo, Tommy meets Vicki Gaye, a showgirl working at a mob-backed nightclub called the Golden Rooster. Vicki, like Tommy, is navigating the fringes of the criminal world, albeit from a different perspective. An initial encounter where Tommy intervenes to protect Vicki from a brutish thug sparks a connection between them. As they spend more time together, they find solace and a desire for a different life outside the mob’s influence.

The Desire to Go Straight

Inspired by Vicki and their burgeoning relationship, Tommy begins to contemplate leaving his lucrative but morally compromised career. He dreams of a life away from Chicago and the constant threat of the underworld. This decision, however, is met with strong resistance from Rico Angelo, who sees Tommy as indispensable. The mob boss is unwilling to let his top lawyer go, leading to increased pressure and threats against Tommy and, increasingly, against Vicki.

Caught Between Worlds

Tommy’s attempt to sever ties creates a dangerous conflict. He is pressured by Rico to take on one last high-stakes case for a particularly violent associate, Cookie La Motte. Simultaneously, the District Attorney’s office sees an opportunity to use Tommy’s position to build a case against Rico. Both the state and the mob attempt to manipulate Tommy, with Vicki becoming a pawn in their dangerous game. Tommy finds himself in a perilous position, forced to navigate loyalties and protect the woman he loves while facing threats from all sides.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tommy Farrell (Robert Taylor): A crippled and cynical lawyer who skillfully defends mobsters but seeks to leave the criminal world behind after falling in love.
• Vicki Gaye (Cyd Charisse): A beautiful showgirl at a mob-backed nightclub who inspires Tommy Farrell to pursue a better life.
• Rico Angelo (Lee J. Cobb): A powerful and ruthless mob boss who relies heavily on Tommy Farrell’s legal expertise and refuses to let him quit.
• Louis Canetto (John Ireland): Rico Angelo’s primary thug who poses a threat to both Tommy Farrell and Vicki Gaye.
• Jeffrey Stewart (Kent Smith): The ambitious District Attorney who attempts to pressure Tommy Farrell into testifying against Rico Angelo.
• Cookie La Motte (Corey Allen): A young, violent, and psychotic mob associate whose dangerous case becomes a breaking point for Tommy Farrell.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tommy Farrell: “My expertise is in defending the guilty man, and you’ve made it your business to make the innocent man seem guilty.” – Said to the District Attorney, reflecting on his cynical view of the legal system and his own role within it.
• Tommy Farrell: “He’s a dog with the rabbies.” – A harsh assessment of the dangerously psychotic gangster Cookie La Motte, whose case Tommy is pressured to take.
• Vicki Gaye: “I’ve been out with the mobs before. Most of the time all they want to do is wear their cash around. By the end of the evening they’re usually too drunk for anything else.” – Vicki shares her cynical, world-weary perspective on her experiences attending mob parties.
• Rico Angelo: “I run this town… and nobody quits me!” – A line reflecting Rico Angelo’s absolute control and refusal to allow lawyer Tommy Farrell to leave his service.
• DA Stewart / Tommy Farrell: “When are they going to start making you a Senator? / As soon as you start talking.” – An exchange highlighting the political ambition of the District Attorney and the pressure he puts on Tommy to betray Rico.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1,758,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Party Girl Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I saw ‘Party Girl’ on TCM, and wow, that title is *not* what I expected! I thought maybe a light musical or something, but nope, it’s a full-on gangster flick with some serious intensity. The color in this movie is insane – it’s so vibrant and rich, totally unlike what I picture for a 50s crime film. Cyd Charisse’s dance numbers were pretty cool, even if they felt a little out of place, and yeah, those legs are legendary for a reason. Robert Taylor surprised me too; I usually don’t think of him as a gritty guy, but he was really good here, selling the conflicted lawyer thing. Lee J. Cobb is absolutely terrifying as Rico Angelo. That scene where he’s showing off his power is chilling, and the violence is surprisingly brutal for its time. The plot gets a bit weird, especially that miracle leg surgery, but overall, I was hooked by the performances and the wild visuals. It’s definitely a unique watch!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood crime dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in films with film noir elements, even in color”
  • “Admirers of director Nicholas Ray’s work”
  • “Those who appreciate performances by Robert Taylor and Lee J. Cobb”
  • “Fans of Cyd Charisse, particularly seeing her in a dramatic role with dance sequences”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Contains violence typical of a gangster film”
  • “Depicts mature themes related to organized crime and its consequences”
  • “Includes a scene depicting suicide (implied off-screen, shown visually in a review description)”

Professional Reviews

• Adapted from IMDb User Reviews: “Nicholas Ray’s ‘Party Girl’ is a visually striking, albeit uneven, blend of crime drama and melodrama. Set in a vibrant, often garish 1930s Chicago, the film is elevated by Ray’s masterful use of color and CinemaScope. Robert Taylor delivers one of his best performances as the conflicted mob lawyer, and Lee J. Cobb is terrifying as the menacing mob boss. While the dance numbers feel somewhat tacked on, and the plot has some notable flaws, the film’s atmosphere, strong acting, and unexpected bursts of violence make it a compelling watch.
• Adapted from IMDb User Reviews: “Despite its misleading title and genre-bending nature, ‘Party Girl’ finds moments of brilliance. The performances, particularly by Robert Taylor and Lee J. Cobb, anchor the film, bringing depth to potentially cliché characters. Cyd Charisse shines in her dance sequences, even if her dramatic role is less convincing. Nicholas Ray imbues the film with a palpable sense of menace and striking visual flair, especially in its use of color. It’s a fascinating, if flawed, look at compromise and survival.
• Adapted from IMDb User Reviews: “Nicholas Ray’s final MGM film is a unique beast. ‘Party Girl’ clashes its lush Metrocolor musical sensibilities with harsh gangster violence and noir-ish themes. The result is a visually arresting but tonally inconsistent film. Robert Taylor is surprisingly effective as the limping lawyer, and Lee J. Cobb is a standout as the volatile boss. While the script struggles with logic at times, Ray’s direction provides enough intrigue and memorable moments to make it a worthwhile experience for fans of classic Hollywood oddities.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were captivated by the vibrant use of color and unique visuals.: Many praised the strong performances from Robert Taylor and Lee J. Cobb, finding them compelling in their roles. Cyd Charisse’s dance numbers were also a popular highlight, showcasing her legendary talent. The film’s surprising violence and deviation from typical genre norms were often noted as interesting.

Overall Consensus: An visually unique and engaging crime drama, ‘Party Girl’ is praised for its strong lead performances, vibrant color cinematography, and surprising intensity, despite some criticism for its uneven tone and plot inconsistencies.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Robert Taylor committed deeply to his role as the crippled lawyer, reportedly consulting an osteologist and studying X-rays to understand his character’s pain and physical limitations.”
• “This was the final contract film for both Robert Taylor and Cyd Charisse at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), reportedly made by the studio to fulfill and conclude their long-standing contracts.”
• “Director Nicholas Ray utilized vibrant Metrocolor and CinemaScope, intentionally giving the film a distinct visual style unlike traditional black-and-white film noir, even noting of blood on screen, ‘that’s not blood…that’s red.'”
• “The film’s depiction of violence was notably strong for its time, including scenes like a bloody bathtub suicide and intense shootouts.”
• “Character Tommy Farrell’s courtroom prop, a sentimental ‘father’s watch,’ was actually a series of identical watches he ordered in bulk, using different fabricated backstories for different juries.”

🖥️ How to Watch Party Girl?

Nicholas Ray’s 1958 crime drama “Party Girl” is typically available for rent or purchase digitally on major platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. It may also be found on services specializing in classic films or available on DVD and Blu-ray from retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Party Girl, you might like these similar films:

• The Godfather (1972): Features a complex and fascinating lawyer-mob boss relationship and is noted for having violent sequences that Party Girl’s director Nicholas Ray’s work is said to have anticipated.
• Force of Evil (1948): A classic film noir with a similar plot centering on a lawyer tied to the mob who seeks redemption and a way out of the criminal world.
• The Untouchables (1987): A later film set in the same Prohibition-era Chicago mob world, featuring a character inspired by Al Capone (like Rico Angelo) and visually echoes Party Girl’s depiction of mob violence.
• Johnny Guitar (1954): Also directed by Nicholas Ray, this film is another example of his unique use of color and challenging genre conventions, blending elements unexpectedly.
• Some Like It Hot (1959): Released the same year and also set in the Prohibition era dealing with mobsters, albeit as a comedy that parodies tropes seen in films like Party Girl.
• In a Lonely Place (1950): A highly regarded film noir by Nicholas Ray, known for its strong character study and atmospheric depiction of a troubled protagonist, showcasing Ray’s earlier work in the genre.

🛒 Party Girl Related Products

• Party Girl (Warner Archive Collection): Experience Nicholas Ray’s vibrant crime drama in stunning high definition. This Blu-ray features the original CinemaScope aspect ratio and Metrocolor.
• The World of Film Noir: From the Dark Streets to the Bright Screen: Explore the history, themes, and visual style of film noir, placing ‘Party Girl’ within its broader cinematic context.
• Cyd Charisse: The Ultimate Collection: A collection featuring some of Cyd Charisse’s most iconic musical performances from her career, highlighting her unparalleled dancing talent seen in ‘Party Girl’.
• 1930s Chicago Gangster Movie Poster Print: A vintage-style poster print capturing the aesthetic of Prohibition-era Chicago crime films, inspired by the setting of ‘Party Girl’.

🎧 Soundtrack

Party Girl features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Party Girl” – performed by Tony Martin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Tori V – Barbie Girl (Official Music Video)

Want to see a music video that absolutely exploded online? This “Barbie Girl” cover has hundreds of millions of views! It’s completely unrelated to the movie, but its viral success is kind of fascinating, right?

StaySolidRocky- Party Girl (Official Music Video)

Curious about other takes on a ‘Party Girl’? Check out this hit rap song that shares the title! It’s a total contrast to the movie’s era and style, but millions have watched it – maybe compare the ‘party girl’ vibes?

#Tiyakutty’s 10th Birthday Special BubbleMagic #BirthdayParty

Ever wonder how a random clip goes viral? This short birthday video somehow racked up over 130 million views! It has absolutely nothing to do with the film, but its bizarre popularity is kinda mind-boggling – what makes something like this blow up?

https://youtube.com/watch?v=8irvx_801d84

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