April 5 movie: The Girl from 10th Avenue. This was a silly bit of fluff, as mid 30s movies about Manhattan society tend to be. But I'll watch almost anything with Bette Davis in it, and it didn't require much attention so was perfect for watching while I cut the fabric for my party dress.
Davis is an honest factory girl who rescues a high society guy (Ian Hunter) from being arrested for drunk and disorderly outside the wedding of the woman who jilted him. Davis and Hunter get drunk together and end up married. She rescues him from drinking himself to death (not all that plausible since they're both shown drinking all the time, but whatever) and eventually he realizes that he really loves her, not the other woman who by now wants him back.
A street-smart working class girl isn't the best role for Davis; she played headstrong heiresses much more convincingly. Honestly, the best thing about the movie was this rumor I had heard that studio costumers hated Davis because she was busty and refused to wear a bra. So they had to dress her to conceal and support her rather impressive bosom. I totally believe it from watching this movie. All her outfits have big, gathered & loose-fitting bodices. They make her look like she just had a baby. She must have given in on the bra thing, because by the late 30s her movie clothes tend to fit a little better in the bust.
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