A theatrical star abruptly leaves England to escape her secret past, while a newspaper reporter follows her trail to America to get the scoop.A theatrical star abruptly leaves England to escape her secret past, while a newspaper reporter follows her trail to America to get the scoop.A theatrical star abruptly leaves England to escape her secret past, while a newspaper reporter follows her trail to America to get the scoop.
- Chuck
- (as Joseph Sawyer)
- Driver to Steamship
- (uncredited)
- Theatre Patron
- (uncredited)
- Theatre Patron
- (uncredited)
- Roman Soldier in Play
- (uncredited)
- Theater Manager
- (uncredited)
- Stella's Maid
- (uncredited)
- Erik in Play
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThere was a widely-held belief that a young man in a wig and period costume appearing in a scene with Kay Francis in "I Found Stella Parish" was a young Errol Flynn. This was the chained male prisoner standing to the left of an all-white-clad Kay Francis on stage as she is giving her act IV speech near play finale. As reported by Rudy Behlmer in the March 1970 issue of "Films in Review" the writer and his collaborators, Clifford McCarthy and Tony Thomas, concluded that the Flynn lookalike was actually Ralph Bushman (a.k.a. Francis X. Bushman Jr.).
- GoofsWhen Stella and Nana enter the apartment to Gloria and Uncle Keith playing Little Red Riding Hood, Stella walks past the parlor curtain twice.
- Quotes
Gloria Parish: Am I a wonderful actress like you?
Stella Parish, an alias of Elsa Jeffords, aka Aunt Lumilla Evans: Wonderful's a pretty big word for a little girl like you, but I think you'll do.
Gloria Parish: When I grow up, will I be a wonderful actress?
Stella Parish, an alias of Elsa Jeffords, aka Aunt Lumilla Evans: If you work hard, perhaps. Do you want to be?
Gloria Parish: Rather! I'd like that better than anything. Don't you, Mommy?
Stella Parish, an alias of Elsa Jeffords, aka Aunt Lumilla Evans: You know what I like better than anything, better than the best roles I've ever had, better than the theaters and all the people in them, better than anything in this whole wide world, don't you?
Gloria Parish: Yes, Mommy, I do. It's Nana.
Stella Parish, an alias of Elsa Jeffords, aka Aunt Lumilla Evans: No.
Gloria Parish: Maybe Elizabeth?
Stella Parish, an alias of Elsa Jeffords, aka Aunt Lumilla Evans: Yes, I guess that's who it is.
Gloria Parish: No, Mommy, it isn't! It's me!
Stella Parish, an alias of Elsa Jeffords, aka Aunt Lumilla Evans: Of course it's you, my sweet.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Comet Over Broadway (1938)
- SoundtracksThe Pig and the Cow (and the Dog and Cat)
(1935) (uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Played by Kay Francis on the piano
Sung by Sybil Jason
Kay plays successful American stage actress Stella Parish living in England. Stella lives a quiet life with her daughter, and refuses to be interviewed by the press or have any photo taken of her that is not a publicity still with her in full makeup for whatever role she is playing. One night, after a performance, someone who recognizes her from "her old days" waits for her in her dressing room and attempts to blackmail her. Stella reacts by fleeing England in the dead of night, daughter in tow. Reporter Keith Lockridge (Ian Hunter) is on her trail looking for the story of his career. He finds that story - where Stella is now and who she really is as far as her past is concerned - but he also finds romance. Of course the whole time Keith is befriending Stella she has no idea he is a reporter. After he has already turned in his story to his editor, Stella comes to him, confesses that she considers him a trusted friend and more, and then tells him the story behind the facts he has put in his headline, all the time thinking he knows nothing of her past. Justifiably feeling like a heel, Keith tries to squash the story he has sent back to London, but it is too late - the story is already in the papers being sold on the streets. What did Stella do in her past to cause her to flee, and how will this pan out for everyone involved? Watch and find out.
This is worth watching for the reason that most Kay Francis films are worth seeing - nobody suffers for her past sins and more-so the sins of others that have done her wrong like Kay Francis, and nobody looks that good while doing so. As for Ian Hunter, I really liked Kay best opposite William Powell and George Brent, and I thought Mr. Hunter was just a bit too bland to be paired with the glamorous Kay in most cases. This is one of the exceptions as he really plays the part of the reporter quite well. He doesn't play a Lee Tracy style journalist here. Instead he plays a classy man with a not so classy job who has to reconcile this with a pesky conscience that's finally beginning to bother him.
What is bad about the film? For one thing, I've never been a huge Sybil Jason fan, and in this part as Stella's daughter she's just over the top sticky sweet. Also, the production values are thrown together. Someone has already mentioned the business of English cars with the steering on the left hand side as well as the odd play Kay is starring in that is supposed to be about ... Caligula??? I'd recommend this to anyone who likes Kay Francis and old films from the 30's, but do be advised there are more than a few holes in the plot and the art design.
- AlsExGal
- Sep 6, 2010
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Stella Parish
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 25 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1