Kidskycom It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

Portia Hilton Blistering performances.

Fatma Suarez The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Alex da Silva Dancer Ginger Rogers (Roxie Hart) agrees to confess to a murder in order to further her career. Female murderers are always getting off in Chicago and dodgy lawyer Adolphe Menjou (Billy Flynn) knows how to milk the situation for maximum publicity. Does the plan work? Reporter George Montgomery (Homer) tells the story in flashback.The film starts well but it soon becomes clear that it is going to continue in a rapid-fire dialogue manner which I find grates. So, that's what the film does. Everyone talks too quickly and the whole film seems to only have one joke. It never really develops. Add to that a pretty annoying cast and watch things drag on. It's a pity that the story didn't dwell more on Iris Adrian as "Two-Gun Gertie" whose story seemed like it could be far more interesting. Also, the rivalry between Ginger and socialite criminal Helene Reynolds as "Velma" wasn't developed. To the detriment of the story. The best parts of the film are when Ginger dances and she only does this twice.I notice that on YouTube there is a clip of her dancing the Charleston in a scene that was cut from the film. What!! It's precisely what the film needed more of and would have been the film's best bit. Who on earth decided to cut it? It's a gem. The film is OK if a little irritating.

WarnersBrother First off I am a big fan of William Wellman who isn't exactly known for Comedy. Here he does a bang up job of it. Second, I am not a big Ginger Rodgers fan but this has instantly become my fav film of hers. I always liked her in her blonde dame days at Warners more than in the RKO Musicals. I think that is one of the problems some reviewers have with "Roxie Hart". The other, apparently, is people who insist on comparing this to "Chicago". What a waste of time. "Chicago" is a modern Musical and "Roxie" is a fast paced, cynical Comedy. When you see this, just forget about "Chicago" and pay attention to this film, because it requires and deserves attention. There is a lot of little "business" going on and a second look is recommended.It isn't a musical yet it has one of the best musical numbers ever, the memorable "Black Bottom" which the entire cast absurdly and marvelously breaks out into in the prison. Probably the only time you will ever get to see Lynn Overman and George Montgomery singing and dancing! It also has a tour de force tap number for Ginger Rodgers on a metal staircase.Ginger is great and is aided by a super cast of dependable actors. The comments about Menjou's age are ridiculous and again stem from comparison with "Chicago". George Montgomery is actually good as well and I am far from a fan of his but like him here. William Frawley is well used here and keep an eye on him, he uses his face and his hands subtly in reaction. One of the great character actors.It isn't "Chicago" nor a Fred-and-Ginger. If you sought it out expecting either you will be disappointed. Sit back and enjoy it for itself and you will love it.

edwagreen At first it's hard to conceive of Ginger Rogers as a brunette, with a wad of gum in her mouth, talking like she came out of Brooklyn, New York. Nonetheless, you will get used to her and she gives quite an amazing performance as the damsel up on charges for murder.This movie is a tribute to sensationalism and that even accused murderers will do anything to keep themselves viable in the news.A year after her gut-wrenching Oscar nominated performance in the memorable "How Green Was My Valley," Sara Allgood is reduced and wasted in the role of Mrs. Morton. The part was greatly lengthened for Queen Latifah.Highlights include Ginger and George Montgomery dancing to the Rock Bottom. Sara and Spring Byington, as the lady reporter, Mary Sunshine, try to keep up with the tapping. Byington never looked younger than in this film.William Frawley looks like a younger Fred Mertz here and does some pretty good scene stealing as the bartender and juror member.

Neil Doyle The corn is definitely more than green in this uninspired farce which is broadly played by every member of the cast except GEORGE MONTGOMERY.Based on the same story that CHICAGO was based on, ROXIE HART has GINGER ROGERS, chewing gum and batting her eyes while on the witness stand when she gets caught up in a murder trial in rowdy '20s Chicago. Rogers is too cute for words, emerging as a caricature throughout.Hers is not the only overly flamboyant performance. ADOLPHE MENJOU is a bit over-the-top as her lawyer, but GEORGE MONTGOMERY gives one of his most natural, effortless performances as the man who narrates the story and takes part in the screenplay.Someone else has cited him as "that guy George Montgomery that I never heard of" and says he's the reason the film fails to succeed. Not true. Actually, it's the Ginger Rogers role of a tootsie type of hoofer who prevents the film from becoming the comedy it aspires to be. That plus heavy-handed direction from William Wellman, a man usually associated with heroic male action films and not comedy or satire.Definitely belongs among those films from Rogers that failed to reach their potential--chiefly because of a misguided performance on her part. This came shortly after her Oscar-winning role as KITTY FOYLE, so it's an example of how she vacillated between good and bad roles during this phase of her screen career. She seems to be enjoying herself enormously as the center of attention, but it's all to no avail.As for GEORGE MONTGOMERY, he was far from being a sub-standard leading man as the other commentator suggested. His star was on the rise in the early '40s and he was also well-known as the husband of the legendary singing star and TV personality, DINAH SHORE.