The Doughgirls (1944)

Many of the reviews here seem to be posted by people who have no clue as to the time period of history which this film is set in. When you watch an older contemporary film you need to be able to watch it with the mindset of a viewer seeing it in a theater at it's release. If you can't relate to 1944, you don't get this film. If you do it's a true gem.Warner's threw it's best female leads at this, Ann Sheridan, Jane Wyman and Alexis Smith (sans Bette Davis), capped off with Eve Arden in a memorable role, added Jack Carson and the reliable John Ridgely, stirred in Charlie Ruggles, Alan Mowbry and Regis Toomey in brief support and a supporting cast rated A+ It is a manic comedy, but if you don't get the political and historic tongue in cheek it falls flat. If you do, sublime!

planktonrules makes some points that may or may NOT be valid. The one in particular concerns Eve Arden's portrayal of a Russian soldier. plankton defines it as NOT subtle. Please tell me why any portrayal of female Russian soldier would be anything remotely subtle. I watched this movie as a young child and was LOL. My favorite part was Eve. I would point out that this was a Major breakthrough for her in movies, radio and TV. She perfected and honed the part of a wisecracking female hell bent on getting a man but failing miserably as no man could hold a candle to her, except on rare occasions. If you do not like this film two things will occur. One: You will get your money back. Two: You will prove that anything old and funny and in black & white is not your cup of tea. Stick with Sean Penn and Will Ferrell. They will suit you to a nub.

I never saw this film until today on TCM TV; Three wild crazy females all wanting to get married to men in government in a Washington D.C. hotel, and lots of crazy antics going on. My favorite Eve Arden really steals the show as the Russian countess; she is fantastically funny! The three actresses are Alexis Smith, Ann Sheridan, and Jane Wyman and they finally get their men; one of them is Jack Carson. Also of note were Alan Mowbray and Charles Ruggles, my favorite brainteasers. If you want to be jolly entertained, see this but be ready for some really stupid antics

This is about as wild and wacky as it gets. Eve Arden, who made a career of playing second banana, is wonderful as a Russian soldier. Jame Wyman, though not a blonde, delivers one "dumb blonde" line after another. Jack Carson is his usual blustery, pompous self. Charley Ruggles is a lecherous old man. Alan Mowbray is a Rush Limbaugh-type broadcaster, who "just got back from the front-the home front." The setting is a hotel room, and all these characters, and many more, create the most hectic, confusing and daffy atmosphere since the Marx Brothers. In fact, "The Doughgirls" is really a female Marx Brothers circus. If you like the characters mentioned above, you'll love this movie.