This 1942 satirical comedy stars Ginger Rogers as the title character, who agrees to be accused of murder so the publicity will advance her dancing career. Whether she actually committed the crime is irrelevant to the reporters, who fall all over themselves to give Roxie her 15 minutes of fame (well, this compact movie is actually 75 minutes long). Adolphe Menjou costars as the blustery defense lawyer who sees no possibility of losing, and George Chandler plays the meek husband left in Roxie's dust. Among the highlights are the judge, lawyers, and client primping for every photo opportunity, and Rogers's nostalgic tap dance on a metal prison staircase. Roxie Hart was based on the play Chicago, which later became the basis for the Bob Fosse musical with Gwen Verdon (and then Ann Reinking in the 1997 revival) in the Rogers role. --David Horiuchi
2.
After a showgirl's husband shoots a burglar in their apartment, a theatrical agent named Lynn Overmann (Jake Callahan) promises to sign the woman up for a vaudeville tour as long as she pretends she pulled the trigger. Realizing she'll become a household name overnight, Roxie Hart (Ginger Rogers) agrees and soon finds herself at the center of an outrageous trial. Having been built up by the cynical Overmann, Roxie grows more enthusiastic with each new shot of publicity. Meanwhile, Overmann is cleverly manipulating the outcome of the trial to get what he wants. Rogers is terrific as the tough girl who laps up the spotlight, and director William Wellman doesn’t miss a beat. Written by the great Nunnally Johnson (THREE FACES OF EVE) and based on the hit Broadway play CHICAGO by Maurine Watkins, ROXIE HART features an outstanding supporting cast, including Phil Silvers, Nigel Bruce, and William Frawley.
3.
To try and kick-start her show-business career, our heroine admits to a Chicago murder. But although Cook County don't seem to let dames swing, and even with top slippery lawyer Billy Flynn, it's all something of a gamble.
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