Director: Lowell Sherman
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Top Billed Actors: Mae West, Cary Grant, Owen Moore
Won 0 Oscars
Nominated for 1 more:
Outstanding Production - Paramount
Plot: A woman obsessed with diamonds goes through her roulette wheel of men in between singing sexy songs.
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Top Billed Actors: Mae West, Cary Grant, Owen Moore
Won 0 Oscars
Nominated for 1 more:
Outstanding Production - Paramount
Plot: A woman obsessed with diamonds goes through her roulette wheel of men in between singing sexy songs.
She Done Him Wrong (1933) is the poster child for why the Production Code went into effect. A raunchy, sex-filled story riddled with double entendres, prostitution, and alcohol consumption, Mae West's only foray into the world of the Academy Awards is a very surprising package. West wrote the original play this is based off, called Diamond Lil. The movie is considered a watered down version of the play, which is really surprising given the apparent vulgarities in the picture. Soon after, the Production Code finally was enforced. This movie has a lot to do with how strict the censors would be in the coming years. Other interesting points about the movie includes it being the shortest Best Picture nominee. Most resources have it at 66 minutes, but I watched a 62 minute version of it. It also stars a very young Cary Grant. West often claimed she was the actress who discovered Grant and launched him into stardom. In fact, Grant played in seven movies prior to this and was the lead male role opposite Marlene Dietrich just before this movie. The movie is also famous for having the American Film Institute's #26 movie quote of all time: "Why don't you come up sometime and see me?"
This film has many historical implications but how does it fare as a Best Picture nominee? For one, the pace of the movie is fast and it is always entertaining. The short length aids this as issues have to be resolved fast. I enjoy when significant events happen in successive order like this. Grant's acting is also very good. He doesn't have a huge starring role here but it is easy to see just why he becomes the huge star we all know. I also like the glimpse of life in the 1890s. The movie takes place primarily in a club in the Bowery. We see people drinking beer and stage acts full of music. West has a couple of sleazy songs that are really enjoyable.
Although the singing is fun it kind of detracts away from the story. Three separate songs from West took the precious time the movie had. At only 66 minutes, it is a wonder why full songs are featured. The movie is ranked #75 on AFI's best comedy movies of all time. I just don't see why. The comedy is never too apparent. Perhaps it is the hidden sexual meanings in almost everything West says. I also don't like how West speaks. Her accent mixed with the trashy dialogue is very unbecoming. The story also ends very abruptly. I did not like how things turned out and you can tell the lead actress wrote the darn narrative. It makes little sense but at least she makes out okay.
Overall, this short escapade of a movie is a fun look into the 1890s and the other historical implications of the film itself makes it interesting. West's acting and the plot resolution holds it back.
My Score 6/10
This film has many historical implications but how does it fare as a Best Picture nominee? For one, the pace of the movie is fast and it is always entertaining. The short length aids this as issues have to be resolved fast. I enjoy when significant events happen in successive order like this. Grant's acting is also very good. He doesn't have a huge starring role here but it is easy to see just why he becomes the huge star we all know. I also like the glimpse of life in the 1890s. The movie takes place primarily in a club in the Bowery. We see people drinking beer and stage acts full of music. West has a couple of sleazy songs that are really enjoyable.
Although the singing is fun it kind of detracts away from the story. Three separate songs from West took the precious time the movie had. At only 66 minutes, it is a wonder why full songs are featured. The movie is ranked #75 on AFI's best comedy movies of all time. I just don't see why. The comedy is never too apparent. Perhaps it is the hidden sexual meanings in almost everything West says. I also don't like how West speaks. Her accent mixed with the trashy dialogue is very unbecoming. The story also ends very abruptly. I did not like how things turned out and you can tell the lead actress wrote the darn narrative. It makes little sense but at least she makes out okay.
Overall, this short escapade of a movie is a fun look into the 1890s and the other historical implications of the film itself makes it interesting. West's acting and the plot resolution holds it back.
My Score 6/10