Belle of the Nineties (1934)

Mae West plays nightclub sensation Ruby Carter, who has gotten involved with a boxer named Tiger Kid (Roger Pryor). And he’s head-over-heels about her.

But Tiger’s manager would rather he spend more time training and less time with Ruby. So he rigs a telephone call that makes it appear Ruby is cheating on Tiger. Presto: relationship over.

Ruby heads to New Orleans where Ace Lamont would like her to star at his Sensation Club and where there are lots of new men to flirt with.

Of course, Ace would like to make Ruby more than his star attraction.

Ruby, on the other hand, shows more interest in rich Brooks Claybourne, who showers her with diamonds.

Meanwhile, poor Ace can’t catch a break. A fighter backs out of a championship match he’s financing. He finds a promising young boxer — none other than the Tiger Kid — to fill in. Then he has Tiger steal a few of Ruby’s diamonds to help finance the fight.

Ruby’s more than a little surprised to find her old lover in New Orleans. She’s even more surprised when she finds out what happened to her jewelry.

Mae West as Ruby Carter, giving her maid a lesson in men and love in Belle of the Nineties (1934)

Roger Pryor as the Tiger Kid, knowing something has gone horribly wrong in Belle of the Nineties (1934)

Review:

The film was supposed to be called “It Ain’t a Sin,” but censors reportedly nixed that title and several of the more bawdy scenes in the film. We’re left with the curvaceous Mae singing and dropping one-liners as guys line up to fawn over her. Plus a paper-thin plot where the resolutions come way too conveniently.

This movie marked the first big screen appearance by jazz great Duke Ellington, who plays in the band during one of Mae’s songs. The other woman is love with Ace is Molly Brant, played by Katherine DeMille. She was the adopted daughter of the famed director and was married to actor Anthony Quinn for nearly 30 years.

John Miljan as Ace La Mont as the nightclub owner who lures Ruby to New Orleans in Belle of the Nineties (1934)

Johnny Mack Brown as Brooks Claybourne, the admirer who showers Ruby with diamonds in Belle of the Nineties (1934)

Directed by:
Leo McCarey

Cast:
Mae West … Ruby Carter
Roger Pryor … Tiger Kid
Johnny Mack Brown … Brooks Claybourne
Katherine DeMille … Molly Brant
John Miljan … Ace Lamont
Duke Ellington … Piano payer
James Donlan … Kirby
Stuart Holmes … Dirk
Harry Woods … Slade
Edward Gargan … Stogie
Libby Taylor … Jasmine
Warren Hymer … St. Louis fighter
Benny Baker … Blackie
Morrie Cohan … Butch
Tyler Brooke … Comedian

Runtime: 73 min.

Katherine De Mille as Molly Brant, the lover Ace shoves aside when Ruby lands in New Orleans in Belle of the Nineties (1934)

James Donlan as Kirby, manager of the Tiger Kid, pulling a trick to break his fighter free of Ruby Carter in Belle of the Nineties (1934)

Memorable lines:

Ruby’s assistant: “I’ve never known a woman who had so many gentlemen friends. You certainly know the way to a man’s heart.”
Ruby Carter: “Funny, too. Because I don’t know how to cook.”

Ace Lamont: “You’re the kind of woman I’ve always dreamed about. Always desired. I’m wild about you.”
Ruby Carter: “Some of the wildest men make the best pets.”

Ruby Carter: “It’s better to be looked over than overlooked.”

Ruby Carter: “When it comes to refusing jewelry, I got about as much will power as a flea. One that’s weak.”

Ruby Carter.of Ace Lamont: “His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork.”

Edward Gargan as Stogie, trying to convince Ruby Carter to move to New Orleans in Belle of the Nineties (1934)

Mae West as Ruby Carter being romanced by Roger Pryor as Tiger Kid in Belle of the Nineties (1934)