Petey Brown (Ida Lupino) is a singer in a New York City nightclub. She's homesick and returns to visit her siblings in California. Her sister Sally (Andrea King) is a waitress at a club owned by sleazy hood Nicky Toresca (Robert Alda). The extended family and their neighbor have various issues. Petey falls for former jazz pianist great San Thomas (Bruce Bennett).
There are a few too many characters and the melodrama gets a bit muddled. In the end, it's Lupino's ballsy ditch-slapping that saves it. With fewer characters, the remaining ones can have more shine. Lupino could do more and they could concentrate on the sisters' relationship. A simpler narrative could make this a more compelling character study about sisters.
There are a few too many characters and the melodrama gets a bit muddled. In the end, it's Lupino's ballsy ditch-slapping that saves it. With fewer characters, the remaining ones can have more shine. Lupino could do more and they could concentrate on the sisters' relationship. A simpler narrative could make this a more compelling character study about sisters.