Rose of Washington Square (1939): Cast & Plot
Rose of Washington Square is a 1939 music drama directed by Gregory Ratoff, starring Alice Faye as Rose Sargent, Louis Prima and Al Jolson. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 26m (86 min)
- Director
- Gregory Ratoff
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Rose of Washington Square About?
The premise of Rose of Washington Square without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Set in the Roaring Twenties, the film follows singer Rose Sargent as she rises to fame on the Ziegfeld Follies while her husband’s criminal activities drag him deeper into trouble. It features musical numbers performed by the stars of “In Old Chicago” and “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” highlighting a 1939 hit soundtrack.
Rose of Washington Square Themes & Keywords
· 49 tags- washington square manhattan
- power and faye
- ziegfeld follies
- star
- con game
- singer
- marriage
- singing
- new york city
- 1920s
- con artist
- blind love
+37 more Show fewer
- vaudevillian
- bail
- loyalty
- unrequited love
- gambler
- male female relationship
- desertion
- police
- regeneration
- unlikely criminal
- scheme
- reputation
- prison
- love
- loot
- get rich quick scheme
- fame
- incarceration
- song
- manhattan new york city
- stage performance
- speakeasy
- rags to riches
- place name in title
- petty criminal
- on the run
- newspaper headline
- musical number
- loan shark
- friendship
- down and out
- deception
- dance number
- burlesque
- broadway manhattan new york city
- blackface
- 1910s
Rose of Washington Square Cast & Characters
Alice Faye leads the cast as Rose Sargent, with Louis Prima as Band Leader and Al Jolson as Ted Cotter. Directed by Gregory Ratoff; 58 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Gregory Ratoff
- Alice Faye as Rose Sargent
- Louis Prima as Band Leader
- Al Jolson as Ted Cotter
-
Hobart Cavanaugh as Whitey Boone
Also Starring in Rose of Washington Square
· 54 more- Charles C. Wilson Mike Cavanaugh
- William Frawley Harry Long
- Tyrone Power Bart Clinton
- James Flavin Guard (uncredited)
- Moroni Olsen Buck Russell
- Bess Flowers Dinner Guest (uncredited)
- Robert Shaw Newspaper Reporter (uncredited)
- Harold Miller Man in Front Row (uncredited)
- Charles Lane Sam Kress
- Cyril Ring Master of Ceremonies at Cast Party (uncredited)
- Eddy Chandler Cop (uncredited)
- John Hamilton Judge
- Edgar Dearing Lieutenant (uncredited)
- Ralph Brooks Man in Audience (uncredited)
- Ralph Dunn Officer (uncredited)
- Brooks Benedict Man in Box at Wintergarden (uncredited)
Show all 58 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Harry Hayden Dexter
- Paul E. Burns Chump
- Murray Alper Eddie (uncredited)
- Ed Brady Cooch Show Spectator (uncredited)
- Bert Roach Mr. Paunch (uncredited)
- Hal K. Dawson Chump
- Ben Welden Toby
- William Newell Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
- Joyce Compton Peggy
- Al Ferguson Court Officer (uncredited)
- James C. Morton Speakeasy Bartender (uncredited)
- E. E. Clive Barouche Driver
- Paul Stanton District Attorney
- Maurice Cass Mr. Mok
- Charles Tannen Newspaper Reporter (uncredited)
- Chick Chandler Emcee at Theatre (uncredited)
- Oscar 'Dutch' Hendrian Man in Audience (uncredited)
- Winifred Harris Mrs. Russell
- Horace McMahon Irving
- Gladden James Court Bailiff (uncredited)
- Charles McMurphy Music Conductor (uncredited)
- Adrian Morris Jim
- Blue Washington Prisoner (uncredited)
- Herbert Ashley Stage Doorman (uncredited)
- Arthur Rankin Newspaper Reporter (uncredited)
- Jack Luden Attorney (uncredited)
- Paul Ellis Frank (uncredited)
- Edward Cooper Butler (uncredited)
- Leonard Kibrick Newsboy (uncredited)
- Claire James Well-Wisher (uncredited)
- Paul Irving Music Publisher (uncredited)
- Carole Mathews
- Lew Hicks Bailiff (uncredited)
- Carol Adams
- Stanley Taylor Lobbygow (uncredited)
- Irma Wilson Miss Lust (uncredited)
- Kenny Williams Dancer (uncredited)
- George Mori Publisher (uncredited)
Rose of Washington Square Plot Summary
What happens in Rose of Washington Square from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Ted Cotter [Al Jolson], a successful Broadway minstrel performer, spots Rose Sargent [Alice Faye] performing in a vaudeville amateur night and immediately takes a personal and professional interest in her. He helps her climb the ladder of show business as she joins the famed Ziegfeld Follies, and her rising stardom begins to shine brighter with every performance. The pact between dream and drive pulls them into a larger world of entertainment, where talent must contend with nerves, nerves with nerves, and the ever-watchful gaze of audiences hungry for spectacle.
Full summary
The whole story of Rose of Washington Square, scene by scene
Seen Rose of Washington Square?
Movies Like Rose of Washington Square
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Washington Square, Ziegfeld Girl and Roseland.
Rose of Washington Square FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Rose of Washington Square, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Rose of Washington Square?
Rose of Washington Square runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).
When was Rose of Washington Square released?
Rose of Washington Square was released on May 5, 1939.
Who directed Rose of Washington Square?
Rose of Washington Square was directed by Gregory Ratoff.
More films by Gregory Ratoff Who is in the cast of Rose of Washington Square?
Rose of Washington Square stars Alice Faye as Rose Sargent, Louis Prima as Band Leader and Al Jolson as Ted Cotter, among 58 credited actors.
Does Rose of Washington Square have a post-credit scene?
No. Rose of Washington Square has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
