Burlesque Queen Peggy Martin and millionaire Randy Carroll come from two different worlds yet when their worlds collide, they fall quickly in love. Mae Martin (Adele Jergens) has been a burlesque performer for many years, raising her daughter Peggy (Marilyn Monroe) in the industry since birth. She wished life had taken a different path though she realized this was her lot in life, and her daughter's, while fiercely protecting Peggy.
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When a catfight breaks out backstage at the theater where mother and daughter perform with the rest of the chorus between Mae and Bubbles LaRue, the show's star, the show's manager must find a quick replacement when Bubbles leaves the show, and tests out Peggy as the lead. She is an instant hit.
In Marilyn Monroe's first starring role, she sings and dances her way across stage as Peggy with style and in a memorable performance, with such numbers as "Anyone Can See I Love You" and "Every Baby Needs a Da Da Daddy."
She soon catches the eye of bachelor millionaire Randy Carroll (Rand Brooks), who begins courting Peggy with anonymous floral deliveries to her dressing room. Peggy next plays detective and heads to the florist to discover the identity of her secret suitor. When he enters the shop, he is stunned when Peggy approaches Randy to ask if he would like to make his delivery in person.
The two develop a romance and Mae worriedly waits at home while Peggy is out on late night dates with the charming, sincere and wealthy Randy. When he announces his intentions to Mae to marry Peggy, she is fiercely against the union, fearful of their class differences and Peggy's acceptance into his world. Her angst was due to a failed relationship with Peggy's father, also a rich man, and their rejection of Mae, who in her youth was also a reigning burlesque queen.
To win over his mother Mrs. Carroll (Nana Bryant), Randy suggests that Mae and Peggy pose as if they hail from a wealthy family. At an engagement party, the plot nearly works, until the band recognizes Peggy and her identity as burlesque queen is revealed.
At first, it appears Mrs. Carroll is as scandalized as her friends and the engagement will be off, however, she soon makes a public confession (here comes the plot spoiler) - before she became wealthy she also worked in burlesque. The movie ends happily, with Randy and Peggy once again, headed towards wedded bliss and Mae the same with her fellow burlesque clown performer Billy Mackay (Eddie Garr), who has loved Mae for years. Mrs. Carroll also secretly revealed to the group's inner circle, including Randy and Mae, that the story about her work in burlesque was a ruse because she realized the genuine love between Randy and Peggy and wished to see a happy ending between the two.
Best part of story, including ending:
I loved the story, though many consider it low budget, because it is innocent and entertaining fun and Marilyn Monroe is brilliant in her first leading role.
Best scene in story:
My favorite scene was the florist shop, where Peggy (Marilyn Monroe) enters anonymously, and chatters about the scandalous burlesque queen Peggy Martin, with the shop owner, when she inquires about who is the intended recipient of some flowers in the store and it is Peggy Martin. Once Randy enters and meets Peggy face to face, it was a surprise for the unsuspecting shop owner.
Opinion about the main character:
I like Mae's (played by Adele Jergens) sincerity in her role. She was cast opposite Peggy (Marilyn Monroe) as her mother, though she was less than a decade her senior. She still does a stellar and sincere portrayal of her character, as an aging stage star.
