Charles Coburn stars as a rascally old sea captain who gets into into financial troubles and loses his house. He and his wife (Beulah Bondi) then have to move into and old ladies' home. Not much for plot, but the acting is terrific. Coburn causes all sorts of problems in the home as is known as Old Lady #31 (the name of the play this was adapted from). Helen Westley runs the home, and the star boarders are Billie Burke, Helen Broderick, Cecil Cunningham, and Marjorie Main. Dan Dailey and Virginia Grey are the young lovers. Clem Bevans is Coburn's friend, Francis Pierlot the town conniver, and Nora Cecil is the shopper. The women are especially good, each in a juicy character part. They were among the best character actresses in Hollywood in 1940 and are each easily recognizable. Nice film.
Review of The Captain Is a Lady
