Coming Out Party

The notion of a coming out party is something of the past...and today, folks might think a 'coming out party' is something very different than it really is. So, in short, it's a high society party for the rich where a young woman is 'introduced' to society and eligible bachelors. It's a big to do...a bit like a Quincinera but for the very wealthy. I don't know if the rich do that any more (it's not like I travel in those circles), but it was a bit thing way back in the day.

Making a film about such a party in 1934 is an odd thing, as the country was STILL in the grips of the Great Depression...and the average person only made about $603!! And, the unemployment rate was about 25%! You'd THINK most folks wouldn't care or want to see a film about the rich at this period of time, though films featuring the rich were actually VERY common at the time and films about the poor were extremely rare. Strange, huh?

The coming out party is for Joy (Frances Dee) and her parents are determined to spend thousands to making the party a success. However, what her folks DON'T know is that she's secretly been dating Chris (Gene Raymond)...an up and coming musician. He has plenty of talent and is a nice guy...but clearly poor...and not the sort to ever attend a coming out party and an unlikely guy to be accepted among the elitist parents of Joy. Plus, by keeping him under wraps, it makes you wonder what sort of person she is! What is going to come of all this? See the film.

Like the godawful dress Dee wore to the big party, I was not particularly enamored with Dee's character, Joy. Joy SAID she loved Chris...but hid them from her society friends and family. She also was a bit of a milquetoast when it came to dealing with the alcoholic suitor who was also chasing her. I think this really weakened the character and making her more in control of her life would have made you care about her more. As for me, I liked Chris...but felt he deserved someone who ACKNOWLEDGED that he existed to her friends! As a result, despite being a pretty film, it was also a bit frustrating. Worth seeing but also skippable.