Martin Bradley "Lady for a Day" was one of the films that cemented Frank Capra's reputation for what became known as 'Capra-Corn'. It's a shamelessly sentimental from a Damon Runyon story and Capra liked it enough to remake it as "Pocketful of Miracles". (This is no masterpiece but it's better than the remake). May Robson just about avoids cutting the ham too thickly as the old apple-seller who is passed off as a high-society lady by a New York gangster in order to fool her daughter and her aristocratic boyfriend. Probably in the hands of a lesser director this would be unbearable but Capra keeps it bobbing along nicely and there are some great character players on hand, (Guy Kibbee, Ned Sparks, Walter Connolly). Unfortunately the gangster is played by Warren William, perhaps the least charismatic 'star' of the thirties. It's entertaining enough but it's also quite minor.

drednm Born in Australia in 1858, May Robson certainly never envisioned as career in Hollywood films. She had a long career as a stage actress and appeared in about a dozen silent films, including CHICAGO with Phyllis Haver, and RUBBER TIRES with Bessie Love. Both film survive. She made her talkie debut in MOTHER'S MILLIONS in 1931 and appeared in another 50 films until her death in 1942.Oscar nominated for playing Apple Annie, she lost the award to Katharine Hepburn for MORNING GLORY. Robson should have won, but her role was really a supporting role in this film, based on a short story by Damon Runyon.As the irascible old apple peddler, Robson had the role of her career. Seems she has a daughter (Jean Parker) in Europe. The old lady gets mail at a swanky hotel thru a friend who works there. But when the letter comes that the daughter is coming home with a husband to be (and his father, a Spanish count), Annie is in trouble.Dave the Dude (Warren William) a gambler, won't make a bet without getting an apple from Annie as a good luck token. When she goes missing, the Dude sends out a search party, locates Annie, and learns of her plight. They hit upon a plan to set her up as a lady with the Judge (Guy Kibbee) as her distinguished husband. Annie gets a makeover and everything is set for the daughter's return.But the stupid cops get wind of what's happening and think there's a big swindle going on. Will the cops squash the charade? Will Annie be exposed as a fraud?Robson and William are terrific. There's also Glenda Farrell as the brassy Missouri Martin (based on Texas Guinan) who joins in to help the charade. Co-stars include Ned Sparks as Happy, Nat Pendleton, Robert Emmett O'Connor, Tiny Jones, Hobart Bosworth, Samuel S. Hinds, Walter Connolly, Halliwell Hobbes, and Barry Norton. A fairy tale to be sure, but one with a touch of reality. Director Frank Capra used several real-life panhandlers in the cast. It's also notable that Annie admits she was never married.

PamelaShort If you enjoy the film Pocketful Of Miracles, which was the remake of this film, I highly recommend watching Lady for a Day the original. I found a copy of a 1933 review for this charming film and it states ' a picture which evoked laughter and tears from an audience at the first showing,' and it still hits the mark perfectly today as it did in 1933. May Robson was a superb choice to play Apple Annie and her performance is extremely splendid, she completely embodies the character of Annie, thus making her real and believable. Probably May Robson's best performance ever. No one could have done a better job of playing the lovable old Judge Blake than the wonderful Guy Kibbee. Warren William adequately handles the role of Dave the Dude along with Glenda Farrell as Missouri Martin. A host of excellent supporting actors all give sufficient performances to make this amusing sentimental tale of the grey-haired Cinderella a very pleasurable and entertaining film. There are many fine synopsis written for this film, however Lady for a Day must be seen to be fully appreciated. This is also a terrific example of Frank Capra's best work and one of the finest films from the 1930s.

trobinson32 An old apple woman has a daughter coming back from overseas to visit and she is bringing her fiancé with her so his family can assess the merits of hers before they will approve of the marriage. Of course, the daughter has been led to believe that her mother is a high society lady. Not an original story line (although it might have been in the 1930's when it came out), but like most old movies, the predictable outcome is still thoroughly enjoyable because of first rate acting and direction. A terrific cast from top to bottom and perfect way to spend a couple hours. It is a truly feel-good movie. Lots of smart, funny lines spice up the touching story of people going out of their way to help others less fortunate.