Lady by Choice 1934

Patsy Patterson [May Robson] is a cantankerous old lady hauled before Judge Daly [Walter Connolly] on charges of drunk and disorderly conduct, while the glamorous Alabam Lee [Carole Lombard] faces a morals charge of her own. The judge sentences Patsy to an old ladies’ home and, on the other hand, gives Alabam a suspended sentence of a year in prison, leaving the two women to navigate their futures with the help of the lawyer Johnny Mills [Roger Pryor] and the publicist Front O’Malley [Raymond Walburn], among others. This unlikely pairing becomes the spark that drives the story’s central tension: how two women from very different worlds might transform themselves—and each other.

To rehabilitate Alabam’s image, Front O’Malley and her manager Charlie Kendall [Arthur Hohl] hatch a sensational plan: they will “adopt” a mother figure for her public persona. A camera crew accompanies them to the old ladies’ home, newspaper photographers in tow, as they search for a suitable candidate. In a chance encounter, Alabam recognizes Patsy and selects her as the ideal subject for the rags-to-reason story. Patsy is introduced to the public as the daughter of a Confederate general, a rousing backstory that lends dignity to her reputation and, in a surprising turn, moves Patsy toward a gentler way of living.

As Patsy and Alabam grow closer, a mutual tenderness blooms. Patsy’s own hard-edged skepticism softens, and she begins to reform alongside Alabam. She cuts back on the drinking and starts to see the world in a different light, while she also uncovers something troubling about Kendall: the man has been skimming most of Alabam’s nightclub salary. When she confronts him, Kendall is fired, clearing the way for a more honest partnership and a steadier future for both women. The recovery of Alabam’s finances becomes a practical foundation for their evolving bond, including a moment where Patsy wins $7,000 in a craps game and quietly claims it as an inheritance, a resource they will soon need.

Patsy’s influence extends beyond finances. She nudges Alabam toward personal growth—acting, dancing, and elocution lessons—to refine her stage presence. Patsy also reconnects with the past and with the industry by visiting David Opper [Henry Kolker], a theatrical producer with a long history in Alabam’s career. Opper accepts the idea of an audition, albeit reluctantly, and the scene underscores the precarious line between talent, opportunity, and reputation.

Meanwhile, a romance begins to blossom between Alabam and the wealthy Johnny Mills [Roger Pryor]. Johnny’s attraction to Alabam complicates matters when she tries to borrow money from him, revealing the financial strains that color their relationship. Patsy, recognizing the danger of a love built on money rather than trust, confronts Alabam, and the two women briefly clash. Yet the stakes rise quickly: Johnny’s mother makes it clear that marrying into their world might ruin his career and standing, and thus endanger Alabam as well. This tension drives Daly to intervene, warning that a law book can become a social weapon that tarnishes both parties.

Despite Patsy’s initial misgivings about the match, she becomes a fierce, practical ally once she realizes Alabam’s love for Johnny is sincere. She shares a painful family memory of her own failed romance with Johnny’s father, hinting at why she’s decided to break a cycle of heartbreak. The revelation casts a bittersweet glow over the romance, revealing a history of sacrifices and regrets that inform Patsy’s decision to let the romance flourish rather than be crushed by social expectations.

As the story moves toward its climax, Alabam’s nightclub performance is interrupted by the police, who escort her to Judge Daly’s office. There, Daly, Patsy, and Johnny confront the tangled truths of ambition, love, and social judgment. In a moment of reconciliation, Alabam embraces Johnny, signaling a hard-won union that has endured scrutiny and sacrifice. The courtroom drama, the emotional transformations, and the evolving friendships culminate in a quiet triumph: two women who found a way to reimagine their lives through courage, honesty, and each other’s support.

Throughout, the film uses humor and warmth to explore themes of reputation, empowerment, and second chances, anchored by the strong performances of its leads and a supporting cast that includes [Akim Tamiroff] as Poupolis, [Charles King] as Drunk, [Dennis O’Keefe] as a Dance Extra, [Fred ‘Snowflake’ Toones] as Mose, [Mariska Aldrich] as Lucretia, and [Johnny Boyle] as Walsh. The narrative pays homage to classic backstage and courtroom farce while delivering a heartfelt message about friendship, redemption, and the possibility of change at any age.