source: Kitty

Kitty

I love this movie it is one of the greats. I want to get this movie but I don't think I can get it on VHS or DVD anywhere. If anyone can help me find it it would be greatly appreciated. This movie got me into watching classic movies. I recored it off the TV a long time ago and it was the movie I always watched when I was sick. Unfortunately my VHS tape is going back and the quality stinks. But I love this movie the costumes the actors everything we just don't have that kind of romantic drama anymore. The old black and whites you just can't beat them. This movie was just great its like an old fashioned My Fair lady without all the singing. So if anyone knows how I can find this movie please help me!!!!

I can add little more to the other comments that have been made. This is a fantastic movie and well worth a proper DVD release - it is superior to a lot of other stuff that is commercially available. I'm sure its relatively low IMDb rating is because so few people have seen it. The acting is superb (my favourite being Cecil Kellaway's Gainsborough), the art direction and period recreation exquisite, and Mitchell Leisen keeps the story moving right along. The script has absorbing dramatic moments counterbalanced by humour (especially Kitty's training as a lady). An especially good moment is the Duke of Malmunster's reaction to the birth of his first born and his walk along the corridor/stairs which is inspired direction. A true 1940s classic.

Some 20 years ago, I left my VCR recording late at night, there used to be good movies on TV at 3 or 4 a.m. I expected to enjoy the movie, but I didn't know it was going to be the movie of my life! I just love it! I kept the VHS for years, unfortunately, I moved and I lost it. I still hope some day we'll get a DVD edition for it would be a pity such an excellent movie could fall into oblivion without letting everybody enjoy it. I particularly enjoyed seeing the evolution of Paulette, she goes from a guttersnipe to a lady and the transformation is perfect.."she's become that lady"..and she really had.. "Love a duck me pearls!" "Sir, a joke is never as funny the second time". DVD NOW!!!

I also remember watching this film on AMC and loved it to death, it is a twist on the Pygmalian story with lots more sass, and gritty, but in a total Old Hollywood glamor. Which seems to make no sense but that is why this is such a gem of a film. Eliza Doolittle would not last two seconds with Kitty in the room, she's a lot more earthy than most heroines and reminds me in some respects of Becky Sharp from Vanity Fair in her single minded climb to the top. All in all a great actress playing a part that is the best of some great female characters all in one juicy and sassy package. This film is well worth preserving, and bring into the modern format of DVD, hopefully with restored picture and sound.

You will certainly be reminded of "My Fair Lady" when you see this film. Paulette Goddard has an authentic cockney-ed accent for the main role. She gets wonderful support by Reginald Owen, Ray Milland, Patric Knowles and Sara Allgood. This is another rags to riches story with Kitty starting out as a street urchin,kept by Allgood until she literally stumbles into the orbit of painter Cecil Kellaway and rises through two marriages to a ladyship. It is almost comic the way that Kitty goes through those marriages and is widowed accordingly each time. Milland is excellent in the role of the man who works with Kitty to make her a lady, while never realizing that she loves him until she almost ready to take husband #3 in the form of the Knowles character. This basic story of social class in 1783 England is unique and quite memorable.

If you have not seen this film, you are missing a great classic film. Director Mitchell Leisen's skill with art design, his precise handling of actors, and an attention to detail are quite obvious. What is also obvious is that the picture's sets and furniture have that grandiose William Hearst feel to it. Later, I was not surprised to find out that Leisen had indeed borrowed items from Hearst . Maybe the publishing magnate was hoping that Paramount's director would cast main squeeze Marion Davies in the title role. That obviously did not happen. But we do have Paulette Goddard, who despite the dazzling array of Hearst treasures, is perhaps the most ornate piece of set décor on screen.

Amusing and witty story of a street girl (Paulette Goddard) in 18th century London, who rises to become a duchess. Of particular note is Constance Collier, showing off a brilliant flare for comedy as Lady Susan Dowitt, an aging courtesan who instructs Goddard in matters of gentility. Constance had a long career on stage and screen going back to the silent era, and this film displays her talents as a fine comedienne.

This film is one of my favorites---just a whole heck of a lot of fun, but how I wish it were in COLOR! The costumes are beautiful. For a frivolous trip back to George III's England (great for a rainy night and a cup of tea), you'll enjoy this movie. A 1940s "chick flick", for sure. I even bought the movie book off eBay, with pictures from the film. Kitty, in the original book, is a real tramp---a female Tom Jones almost. They certainly toned that down in the movie script. Reginald Owen as the Duke of Malmunster is a riot and nearly outshines Paulette Goddard's character. Ray Milland is also wonderful. I love the "oldies", and this one is right at the top. Have a jolly good time with this. Cheers!