Marvellous adaptation of the witty Edna Ferber/George S Kaufman play, set mainly in a boarding house for theatrical hopefuls. Scintillating casting gives bravura roles to a batch of Hollywood greats near the prime of their careers, most notably the fabulous Katharine Hepburn and the sassy Ginger Rogers. Points, too, for acerbic Eve Arden, dippy Constance Collier and a teenaged Ann Miller. Only Andrea Leeds in the obligatory tragic role isn't up to the demands of the plot or her co-stars. A true joy, especially for stage-struck female hopefuls.

A spirited heiress wishing to break into theatre on her own merit arrives at a boardinghouse where aspiring young actresses and showgirls are brought together through their cynicism and disappointments.