Hello, Sister!

This film is more famous for what you don't see than what you do. What you don't see is whatever it is that the original director, Erich Von Stroheim, shot that was left on the cutting room floor after Fox basically re-shot the picture. Apparently it was too gritty for what Fox had in mind, and Alan Crosland of "The Jazz Singer" fame was brought in to direct.

This is a simple little "lonely boy meets lonely girl in the big city" story. Three girls who live in the same apartment building in New York City go strolling down the street in search of men. They find a couple of them - nice guy Jimmy (James Dunn) and his lecherous friend Mac. Millie (Zasu Pitts) falls in a muddy water filled ditch, so now the group is evenly paired. Jimmy and Peggy hit it off, but not until after Mac makes a pass at Peggy and she rejects him. Complications ensue.

James Dunn really saves the picture with his optimistic and likable every-man persona that he did so well. In spite of the short running time you really feel the chemistry between himself and Peggy. Zasu Pitts is good as a rather backwards homely girl who strikes out in an uncharacteristic and venomous way towards the end of the picture. Will Stanton plays the same obnoxious drunk that he played in "Me and My Gal" and makes you want to change the channel every time he shows up - he's that annoying and completely unfunny. Before the film is over Stanton proves that three things that fire and explosions can't destroy are roaches, termites, and his act. Recommended for the curiosity factor of it all.