Main Cast: Shelley Winters, Robert Taylor, Cesar Romero, Ralph Taeger, Kaye Ballard
Release Year: 1964
Country: US
Run Time: 98 minutes
Plot
This drama tells the true story of one of Broadway's most successful madams in the 1920s. It is loosely based on the autobiography of Polly Adler. The story begins when young Polly is seduced and raped at her job by the sweatshop foreman. When her uncle, with whom she lived, learns of the act, he blames her and tosses her out. She then moves into an apartment owned by a racketeer. It is he who encourages her into her "helping" profession when he gives her money for bringing her pals to a gangster party. Soon she is beginning to build up her own clientele. As her business prospers, she begins to choose nicer locations. Her tiny cathouse becomes a haven for sleazy politicos, mobsters, and businessmen. The madame herself has a passionate romance with a young songwriter and she helps his career. He does not know of her vocation and she eventually breaks up with him to keep his reputation intact. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Review
Probably no one would really expect A House is Not a Home, a movie based upon the memoirs of famed Madam Polly Adler, to be a great movie. What's surprising therefore isn't that House is only a so-so film; what's surprising is that it's really rather dull. After all, Adler's life was full of spice and drama. But not matter how hard writers Russell Rouse and Clarence Greene try, no matter how many melodramatic situations they contrive, the movie never works up the head of steam that should come naturally to it. Certainly, the by-the-numbers screenplay deserves a big share of the blame, but so does Rouse's unimaginative direction. He gets the job done, but House lacks character and distinction. In the leading role, Shelley Winters turns in a solid performance, mannered at times, but all in all quite effective, and providing a lot of the drive that the film otherwise lacks. Robert Taylor doesn't put a great deal into his role, but Broderick Crawford, Kaye Ballard and even Cesar Romero help to make up for it. Ralph Taeger doesn't win any awards for his performance, but he's decent, and he has the right look for the part. Edith Head's costumes were Oscar-nominated, and they're certainly attractive, but not really among her best work. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Broderick Crawford - Harrigan; Mickey Shaughnessy - Police Sergeant Riordan; Lisa Seagram - Madge; Meri Welles - Lorraine; Jesse White - Rafferty; Connie Gilchrist - Hattie Miller; Constance Dane - Laura; Allyson Ames - Gwen; Lewis Charles - Angelo; Steven Peck - Vince; Michael Forest - Bernie Watson; Stanley Adams - Harry; Roger C. Carmel - Dixie Keeler; J. Pat O'Malley - Muldoon; Alice Reinheart - Sarah Ludwig; Ben A. Astar - Max Ludwig; Hayden Rorke - Bill Cameron; Benny Rubin - Happy Charlie; Alex Gerry - Doctor; Edmon Ryan - Sam; Charles Fredericks - Bert; Baynes Barron - Matt; Jerry James - Tim; Larry Barton - Bald-Headed Man; Steve Carruthers - Person; John Indrisano - Person; Max Power - 2nd Man; Sandra Scott - Frightened Girl; Amedee Chabot - Call Girl; Leona Gage - Call Girl; Sandra Grant - Call Girl; Patricia Manning - Call Girl; Raquel Welch - Call Girl; Edy Williams - Call Girl; Roxanne Arlen - Hattie's Girl; Billy Beck - Person; George Cisar - Dr. Saunders; Tom D'Andrea - Gabe; Danica D'Hondt - Call Girl; Richard Reeves - Pete Snyder; Wilda Taylor - Exotic Dancer; Inga Neilsen - Call Girl; Mike Ross - Manager of Dance Hall
Credit
Hal Pereira - Art Director, Al Y. Roelofs - Art Director, Edith Head - Costume Designer, Russell Rouse - Director, Chester Schaeffer - Editor, Joseph Weiss - Composer (Music Score), Gene Hibbs - Makeup, Harold E. Stine - Cinematographer, Clarence Greene - Producer, James Roach - Set Designer, Sam Comer - Set Designer, Clarence Greene - Screenwriter, Russell Rouse - Screenwriter, Polly Adler - Book Author
