Is Follies Girl Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1943)

📖 The Core Premise

Follies Girl returns to the screen in 1943, bringing a fresh narrative to the Music, Comedy genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "In PRC's Follies Girl, Wendy Barrie plays dress designer Anne Merriday, who becomes the object of middle-aged millionaire J. B. Hamlin's (J.C. Nugent) affections. To save his dad from throwing his life away on a supposed golddigger, Hamlin's son, Army private Jerry Hamlin (Gordon Oliver), begins courting Anne-and, of course, falls genuinely in love with her himself. Meanwhile, the rogueish J.B. tries to mount a Broadway burlesque show, with costumes designed by Our Heroine."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Wendy Barrie attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Music. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Follies Girl worth your time? If you appreciate Music, Comedy films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Follies Girl misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 72 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.