MartinHafer Through much of the 1930s and into the 40s, Jean Arthur was a big box office draw and a very popular actress. However, if you watch 1929's "The Saturday Night Kid", you'll see nothing that would indicate she would ever be a star. In fact, she's just awful! While IMDB says that the director hated Clara Bow's voice, it's practically gorgeous compared to Arthur's very high-pitched whining...and she whines through most of the picture. I can only assume that the director was somehow also at fault, as Ms. Arthur became an accomplished and likable actress....but here you just want to see someone slap her character and yell "Shut up!".The film is about a couple of sisters. The older sister, Mayme (Clara Bow), is the responsible one who takes care of her younger sister, Janie (Jean Arthur). However, Janie is an adult and Mayme too often makes excuses for her. In fact, she helps enable Janie...and as a result, Janie is a sneaky god-awful creature...one who whines incessantly and who is so transparent...too transparent that you wonder how ANYONE would put up with her.This is the problem with the film....Janie is such a whiner and is so obvious that it really destroys the movie. Clara Bow, despite some complaints about her acting, was actually just fine....but Arthur puts on one of the worst performances of her day. Thank goodness she learned to be more subtle, less whiny and truly endearing in future films.

Arne Adolfsen Shopgirl sisters, one fun loving but virtuous (Clara Bow), the other a conniving, selfish brat (Jean Arthur) are in love with a fellow Ginsberg department store employee (James Hall). Trite screenplay, lousy production values, terrible directing. Bow only really becomes interesting in the second half where she's finally given interesting things to do. Jean Arthur is quite good as the dissembling brat sister. James Hall is dull. Edna May Oliver does her thing (which I love) in her talkie debut, and an unbilled (and very young looking) Jean Harlow has a tiny but memorable speaking part (her first). Ultimately, this is for Bow fanatics only (I raise my hand), and for those who want to see the earliest sound film appearance of the fully formed Jean Harlow persona.

kidboots Even though "Love 'em and Leave 'em" had been a Louise Brooks vehicle in 1926, that didn't stop Paramount from lifting the plot and refashioning it into "The Saturday Night Kid" for Clara Bow in 1929. As Clara often said she was given "any old story that was fished out of a rubbish bin"!!! To add personal insult to injury, Edward Sutherland was assigned to direct it. Louise Brooks, who was married to Sutherland, wrote that Sutherland always excluded Bow from parties and gatherings - he didn't think Bow was of their "class" - even though Brooks begged him to invite Clara.Mayme (Clara Bow) and Janie (Jean Arthur) are sisters - they both work at Ginsbergs' Department Store - but while Mayme is in love with dependable Bill (James Hall), Janie is on the look out for money. "Poor kid, she doesn't know what it's all about" worries Mayme, then when they see her driving past in a flashy car Bill quips "I'd hate to see her when she wises up"!! From the first scene Janie shows she is not to be trusted - borrowing Mayme's "step ins" and perfume - she is also not above betting heavily on the races. Jean Arthur steals the movie "on a red hot platter". Her's is the only role with any get up and go and her husky voice is very pleasing. Janie does her best to drive a wedge between the cute couple and at a rooftop party, Mayme gets fed up - "I'm just a Saturday Night Kid, the love 'em and leave 'em kind" - I thought now for some Clara Bow action, but it was not to be. She was the good girl, the nice sister and as such had to hang around while her "bad" sister got all the attention. Janie gets deeper and deeper into debt and gambles with the store's welfare fund (she is the treasurer). She confesses what she has done to Mayme, who wins back the money in a crap game. Janie, though, has already told Mrs. Streeter (the glorious Edna May Oliver) that Mayme is the thief and when Mayme turns up with the money she (Mayme) is sacked. All ends well for Mayme and Bill - he overhears the girls talking and realises Janie is the sneak - not that he ever doubted Mayme's honesty.True to Clara's generous spirit - there was one actress, a bit player, whose confidence was really boosted - that was Jean Harlow. Bow, as always, took the newcomer under her wing. There was a beautiful evening dress that was designed for Clara but she insisted that Jean wear the dress. Not only that but Clara also insisted that they both have photographs taken together - that apparently was simply not done - stars just didn't pose with beautiful bit players!!! Not Clara, who said "She's a good kid, I just want to help her out!!!Recommended.

wes-connors Boarding house sisters Clara Bow (as Mayme Barry) and Jean Arthur (as Janie Barry) both work as salesgirls in "Ginsberg's Department Store". Ms. Bow is in love with dashing James Hall (as William "Bill" Taylor). Conveniently, Mr. Hall rooms at the same boarding house, and also works at "Ginsberg's". Her friends think Bow may give up her reputation as "The Saturday Night Kid", and marry Hall. But, Ms. Arthur has other plans; Bow's sneaky little sister "borrows" her underwear, perfume, money - and, finally, her man.This sound re-make of "Love 'Em and Leave 'Em" puts Bow in the successful department store setting of "It". The locale, and situations, really don't work; but, the makeshift terrace party area looks great. Bow is fine as "Mayme", but she might have been better than Arthur as "Janie". Arthur's character is so transparent, and annoying, it's difficult to understand her extraordinary ability to deceive; and, this version of the play leaves her character "unresolved". Edna May Oliver (as Miss Streeter) makes an impressive sound debut, and Jean Harlow has a small role.**** The Saturday Night Kid (10/25/29) A. Edward Sutherland ~ Clara Bow, Jean Arthur, James Hall