A House Is Not a Home
US (1964): Biography
This trashy drama tells the true story of one of Broadway's most successful madames in the 1920s. It is loosely based on the autobiography of Polly Adler (Shelley Winters). The story begins when young Polly is seduced and raped at her job by the sweatshop foreman. When her uncle, with whom she lived, learns of the act, he blames her and tosses her out. She then moves into an apartment owned by a racketeer. It is he who encourages her into her "helping" profession when he gives her money for bringing her pals to a gangster party. Soon she is beginning to build up her own clientele. As her business prospers, she begins to choose nicer locations. Her tiny cathouse becomes a haven for sleazy politicos, mobsters, and businessmen. The madame herself has a passionate romance with a young songwriter and she helps his career. He does not know of her vocation and she eventually breaks up with him to keep his reputation intact. Russell Rouse directs for Embassy Pictures. Cast also features Mickey Shaughnessy, Kaye Ballard, Broderick Crawford, J. Pat O'Malley, Cesar Romero, Robert Taylor, Jesse White, Connie Gilchrist and Raquel Welch (in her big-screen debut). (Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide)
1 nomination
· Costume Design (Black and White) 1964: Edith Head