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The Big Street (1942)

The Big Street (1942)
Member Rating:  
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

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Starring:
Henry Fonda, Lucille Ball, (more)
Director(s):
Irving G. Reis
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of The Big Street

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

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
88 mins

Complete Cast of The Big Street


Director(s):
Irving G. Reis
Writer(s):
Leonard Spigelgass
Producer(s):
Damon Runyon
Categories:
Comedy, Romance
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    Vadim A.

    IF YOU CAN TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM THE DETAILS ON TOP THEY GIVE AWAY TO MUCH. I HOPE YOU LOVE THIS MOVIE AS MUCH AS I DO . MY BOYFRIEND SAID THAT HE WASNT INTO OLD FILMS BUT WHEN HE SAW THIS FILM HE CHANGED HE'S TUNE. ITS A MUST FOR ALL YOU FILM BUFFS. RENT IT! OWN IT! TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW ABOUT IT. MAYBE THEY WILL SHOW IT ON THE BIG SCREEN ONEDAY SOON. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET A COPY OF THIS FILM IN FEB 07' BEFORE ITS RELEASE DATE. MY DEAR FRIEND WORKED FOR RKO RADIO PICTURES. IF YOU LOVE THIS FILM YOU'LL LOVE "STAGE DOOR "1937. ENJOY. BYE! SABRINA LAMOUR

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    Karl H.

    Five stars may be a little much, but this is one of my favorites. It is a fable folks--Damon Runyan and all ("Guys and Dolls" and "A Pocketful of Miracles"). It is not, nor was ever ever meant to be, realistic. The thing that really sets this one apart from other melodramas of the period is its incredible cast of supporting players: Eugene Pallete, Ray Collins, Sam Levine, Barton MacLane, Louise Beavers, and especially Agnes Moorehead and Hans Conried. And it is undoubtedly Lucille Ball's finest big screen performance, and one of the unsung gems of Henry Fonda's celebrated film career. Set your brain to "willing suspension of disbelief" and let this incomparable cast have its way with you.

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    Patricia W.

    I was a little puzzled by the professional review after seeing this movie. It was pretty corny, but you have to remember that it was made for tastes 65 years ago. The story was unbelievable but the acting was okay. Ball should have been called "The -itch instead of "Her Highness" and Fonda "The Dope" instead of "Little Pink". Interesting for a period piece but not too entertaining.

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