Primrose Path

it would have been easy for Ginger Rogers to overact, but she doesn't. She's in fact incredible as the poor daughter or a prostitute. She has her natural red hair back, but it's the same face if you look deep enough. She played this role without almost any make-up, and she looks very natural because of it. she meets Joel McCrea (another musical actor who, like Ginger makes the transtion to drama quite easily)when you think about it, their relationship is almost astaire-rogers like. First they meet, ginger rebuffs (he kisses her, she slaps him) then, they fall in love (they even get married) then a misunderstanding tears them apart, but they fall into each other's arms come the end credits. This movie is quite grown-up for 1940. (a notice came up before showing on TCM from 1940 that this movie was approved for adult audiences) there's nothing worse than kissing (quite a bit though) but the themes are adult. The chemistry between the two stars is wicked. when they lay under a boat he's painting, (he's practically on top of her) it's almost eerie how they fir together. Yes, it is serious, bur when Rogers smiles, she lights up the whole screen, and you can't help but love her. In case it gets too serious, afretwards, watch 42nd street (1933)(where Gin's at her wisecracking best) or carefree, shall we dance? or swingtime, where she's at her musical-comedy best. But don't forget to enjoy this film, because it's deffinately worthy.

This is a tough movie in the Grapes of Wrath sense of the word. But in my opinion this is the finest performance Ginger Rogers or any other actress in the history of Hollywood has ever done. She got the Academy Award for best actress in the same year for Kitty Foyle, but I would like to think it was this performance in Primrose Path the judges had in mind. If not it should have been. I have NEVER seen ANYBODY transforn themselves into another person with the skill Ginger does in this movie. Joel McCrea does a fine job as well. One of the great movies of all time.

My favorite Ginger Rogers movie of all time! I cry every time for some reason. I have written in the past (like DVD version past) to TCM to have it restored and available. I have also sent a gift card to my sister to buy this, since we both love these movies. Thank you for letting me have this digitally!

In my opinion "Primrose Path" (1940) is a one of best Rogers' movies. 1940 marked a high point in her career. It was the year of "Kitty Foyle" ( A Best Actress Academy Award ). Also Rogers made another wonderful work that year is a comedy "Lucky Partners", and another exceptional drama is "Primrose Path". I like the story of this drama and all of actors play. The leading actors Ginger Rogers and Joel MacCrea are looks perfect to each other in this story, it adds much to the impression of the film.

LOVE THIS MOVIE! Girl from wrong side of tracks, meets good boy. They Marry and then drama. Love me some Ginger Rodgers. My mother told me about this movie and I feel instantly in love! So glad to have found it on DVD. My grandmother taped it for me on a VHS about 15 years ago. WHO HAS VHS anymore?!? So I've had to wait for the DVD to be released.

This is loaded with taboos... mother of main character is prostitute, father a chronic drunk (and murderer,) but somehow it works out to be such a sweet romantic story ... fun to watch black and white with Ginger Rogers.

I am a huge fan of Ginger Rogers and I love her movies. Cute movie and entertaining!

I adore this movie & feel this is the best dramatic role that Ginger Rogers ever played. I can & have watched this movie again & again. Joel McCrea brings his usual understated brilliance.

Ging Rogers is very convincing in the role of a girl from a poor family with a drunken father (the actor rather overacts, I feel), an irresponsible mother and a nasty little grandma. Very good Joel McRea as the man Ginger falls for. Recommended!

A great, low key film with wonderful acting. Wet Sunday afternoon viewing. Sadly, I couldn’t get rid of the Spanish subtitles, but they didn’t impinge too badly.

Ce film avait tous les atouts pour être la meilleure de ses comédies d'avant la seconde guerre mondiale : la peinture d'une rare puissance des américains plongés dans une galère sans issue , de l'alcoolisme ( poignant et presque insoutenable portrait du père en épave larmoyante ) , de la méchanceté ( inconsciente ? ) : l' épouvantable grand-mère maquerelle , qui incite sa fille et sa petite fille à se vendre aux hommes , pour bouffer ! On est très très loin de l'heureuse famille américaine , même la petite soeur est atroce ...Seul ilôt d'humanité dans ce naufrage : le vieil homme , patron du snack miteux ...Ginger Rogers est épatante , nuancée , dure , fragile , lumineuse dans tant de sordide : c'est à se demander si elle ne soutenait pas à elle seule la RKO !Mais il y a deux problèmes : d'abord , McCrae ne m'a pas paru croire totalement à son personnage et semble à distance ...Plus grave encore : il y a un important problème de scénario , ce qui est très étonnant quand on sait le professionnalisme des équipes américaines : lorsque Mc Crae découvre la famille de sa jeune épouse , qu'elle lui a caché , il la repousse et s'en éloigne : or , cet aspect du scénario est véritablement difficile à accepter , car le mari est apparu jusqu'alors comme un personnage toujours gentil et , sur le plan social , n'est d'ailleurs lui-même qu'un serveur de snack !la suite du film essaie maladroitement de renouer le fil de la relation entre les deux personnages jusqu'à un happy end totalement artificiel ...ce problème de scénario compromet gravement la montée de l'émotion et de l'empathie chez le spectateur ...Copie satisfaisante .

You could see Ginger was heading to a Oscar with her performance in this picture. Excellent rapport between Rogers and McCrae.

Les critiques se sont acharnés sur ce film prétendument sombre ("sordide", ignominie" sont les mots employés pour un film où la charge est délibérément caricaturale). Il n'y a pas la réalisme tragique de bas-fonds, mais de la bonhommie, de la naïveté(vraie ou fausse, peu importe), une maman qui fait un dur métier (celui de la "jupe portefeuille") pour rapporter du gin a son ivrogne de mari, des cadeaux à ses filles, et de l'argent à sa vieille mère acariâtre et cupide. Bref de la bonté.La fin heureuse (happy end) est inscrite en filigrane des les premières séquences. Pourquoi s'acharner à voir là une fin deconvention ?