While Stella Adler might not be a name you recognize, she's known to many aspiring actors and actresses as a guru of sorts. She's ultra-famous to these folk and is considered one of the foremost actresses of the 20th century....which is odd as she only acted in three films...and "Love on Toast" is her first film. So why was she so famous? Well, first, she came from a family where her parents and siblings were all actors. And, in total, Stella had over a hundred different roles on stage (wow) and went on to become an acting coach...and a very well respected and famous one. But in regards to movies, she just didn't seem that interested...or, perhaps, Hollywood just wasn't that interested in her. All I know is that this film is a rare chance to see her.
In this film, Adler plays Linda Craven, a press agent who is trying to increase a soup company's sales in the New York City area where the soup has surprisingly poor sales. She comes up with the idea of creating a contest where the company will crown a Mr. Manhattan and a Miss Brooklyn. Unfortunately for her campaign, the guy they select as Mr. Manhattan (John Payne) has no interest in the contest nor becoming famous. It seems someone entered him in the contest and didn't tell him! What's next? See the film if you'd like.
So is the film any good? Well, it's okay...neither good nor bad. Payne was a good actor but here he didn't have much to do other than sing and act grumpy. And, as far as Adler was concerned, it was a competent job of acting but didn't seem particularly special...nor did the plot.
By the way, if you look at the closing credits you'll see that they misspelled Adler's name...calling her Stella Ardler!
In this film, Adler plays Linda Craven, a press agent who is trying to increase a soup company's sales in the New York City area where the soup has surprisingly poor sales. She comes up with the idea of creating a contest where the company will crown a Mr. Manhattan and a Miss Brooklyn. Unfortunately for her campaign, the guy they select as Mr. Manhattan (John Payne) has no interest in the contest nor becoming famous. It seems someone entered him in the contest and didn't tell him! What's next? See the film if you'd like.
So is the film any good? Well, it's okay...neither good nor bad. Payne was a good actor but here he didn't have much to do other than sing and act grumpy. And, as far as Adler was concerned, it was a competent job of acting but didn't seem particularly special...nor did the plot.
By the way, if you look at the closing credits you'll see that they misspelled Adler's name...calling her Stella Ardler!