I had heard the title of this movie, based on the popular stage play, I was sure I would recognise at least one song when I watched it, so I hoped for something good, from Golden Globe nominated director Mervyn LeRoy (Little Caesar, I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang, Mister Roberts). Basically wilful, resourceful and domineering stage mother Rose Hovick (Golden Globe winning Rosalind Russell) is determined to make her young, blonde, and beautiful daughter "Baby" June (Suzanne Cupito, aka Morgan Brittany) a vaudeville headliner. Rose will stop at nothing to achieve her goal, she drags June and her shy, awkward, and decidedly less-talented older sister "Baby" Louise (Diane Pace) around the country trying to get them noticed. Agent Herbie Sommers (Golden Globe nominated Karl Malden) assists them, and they manage to secure bookings on the prestigious Orpheum Circuit. Years pass, "Dainty" June (Ann Jillian) and Louise (Golden Globe nominated Natalie Wood) are no longer young enough to pull off childlike character, but their mother insists they continue to project. June rebels, gets married to Jerry, one of the dancers who backs the act, and she disappears to make her own way in life. Rose considers June's actions as betrayal, so she pours all her energy into making a success of Louise, despite her obvious lack of singing or dancing skills. The increasing popularity of sound films does not help matters, meaning a decline in the demand for stage entertainment. With bookings being scarce, Rose and Louise travel to Wichita, Kansas, where the owner of a third-rate burlesque house books the act. When one of the strippers is arrested for shoplifting, Rose immediately volunteers Louise as the replacement act, but it is clear Louise will only do it to please her mother. Herbie decides this is the final straw, he is disgusted by the means Rose will go, and that she will not marry him, he gives her the opportunity to convince him to stay, but she fails, and he leaves. At first, Louise's voice is shaky, and her moves are tentative, but audiences respond positively, and she slowly gains confidence on stage. Louise blossoms into the successful entertainer billed as Gypsy Rose Lee, it comes to the point where she tires of her mother's constant interference in both her life and her career. Louise confronts Rose and demands she leave her alone. Rose realises she has spent her life enslaved by a desperation to be noticed, angry and bitter she stumbles onto the empty stage in the deserted theatre and has an emotional breakdown, but Louise watches, and they reconcile. Also starring Golden Globe nominated Paul Wallace as Tulsa, Betty Bruce as Tessie Tura, Parley Baer as Mr. Kringelein, Harry Shannon as Grandpa and Ben Lessy as Mervyn Goldstone. Russell gives a showstopping performance (it could have been Ethel Merman, star of the stage show, or the more desired Judy Garland), Wood is also good as the tender daughter, and Malden is likeable as the agent trying to help them go places. The most memorable songs and performances are "Some People", "Mr. Goldstone, I Love You", "Little Lamb", "All I Need Is the Girl", "You Gotta Have a Gimmick" (famously performed by Lily Savage, Cilla Black and Barbara Windsor at the Royal Variety Performance) and "Rose's Turn". I will be honest and say that I agree with critics, about the way it is produced being a bit "theatrical", but you can forgive it because of the great songs by Stephen Sondheim and well-done choreography, and the story based on a real-life stripper it is interesting enough, all in all it is a worthwhile musical comedy drama. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design and Best Music, Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment for Frank Perkins, and it was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Musical. It was number 66 on The 100 Greatest Musicals. Very good!