Momma

Gypsy. "Hold yer hats an "hallelujah!" the burlescuties used to bellow, "Momma's gonna show it to ya!'' Momma in the present instance is Rosalind Russell, and at 55 all she's showing is talent--but hallelujah! The old girl rips, roars, romps, rampages and rollicks through this raucous musical like Woody the Woodpecker's wife.

Based on the Broadway boff that was based on the autobiography of Gypsy Rose Lee, the film affects to explain how a nice little girl from Seattle grew up to be the genius of grind. The explanation is Momma. As Roz portrays her, Momma Hovick is the matriarchetype of the stage mother, an all-too-human dynamo who sees in her daughters, big clumsy Louise (Natalie Wood) and talented little June (Ann Jilliann), a second chance at fame.

Busting with ambition, she whips up a kiddie act and takes it hooting and hollering around the vaudeville circuits. Never mind if the kids miss long division --just so they can count the house. Never mind if there's only one bed--mother's little darlings can sleep on the floor. Suppose the old Marmon does break down? Burn it up and collect the insurance. Suppose the family does need winter coats? Cut up a couple of hotel blankets. And when the hotel manager comes to inspect his property, knock him down on the nearest mattress and as loud as possible cry: WOLF!

Suddenly the bottom falls out of Momma's act. Baby June, aged 13, runs away and launches an independent career as June Havoc. Indomitably, Momma decides to make a star out of Louise. Unhappily, the girl has no talent. But she has a body, and Momma soon finds a way to make it famous.

Though Actress Wood is everything anybody could ask (5 ft. 2 in., 98 Ibs.) of a cute little trick, she can hardly fill the billing (5 ft. 9 1/2 in., 130 Ibs.) of the lusty, busty broad who was known as "the Gene Tunney of burlesque." But thanks to Director Mervyn LeRoy, the show itself is remarkably well-built--big and brassy, loud and fast. As for Actress Russell, she defies description. Roz is a Roz is a Roz is a Roz.

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