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      The First Traveling Saleslady

      1956 1h 32m Comedy List
      Reviews 21% 50+ Ratings Audience Score In 1897 New York, Rose Gillray (Ginger Rogers) struggles to keep her corset business afloat. When Rose suggests that singer Molly Wade (Carol Channing) wear her daring new corset in her revue, the show is shut down. In debt to steel manufacturer Jim Carter (David Brian), Rose declares she can sell steel wire to stubborn cattle ranchers in Texas and clear her debt. Along the way, Rose is joined by Molly, inventor Charles Masters (Barry Nelson) and cattle baron Joel Kingdom (James Arness). Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

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      Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television Fun Western comedy with weird cast and zany humor. Nov 28, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Steve D It has aged horribly. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 07/02/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the final RKO radio films produced in the last leap of faith in 1956. THE FIRST TRAVELING SALESLADY is a very enjoyable light comedy. What sets it apart from TV shows like PETTICOAT JUNCTION or films like OKLAHOMA both of which it strongly resembles is the A studio production values which allow the film to take on a lavish western look more akin to CALAMITY JANE. It is a jalopy western set in the horseless carriage days of 1899. Ginger Rogers was 43 and Carol Channing was 35 in production and given the mature age of both and the feminist slant of the story, it makes for a liberating tone for a film of the mid 50s. It is well worth looking at the last 20 films made at the RKO studio in this period by RKO TELERADIO PRODUCTIONS who revived the label after Howard Hughes trashed it. All 1955-58 RKO films are very well made, above the prior years of Hughes. TRAVELING SALESLADY is beautiful to see and has visuals cluttered with style and color. I thought it quite lavish in some scenes with overstuffed furniture and antiques that must have helped see unloved props get a final airing. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review s r Pretty corny, but I saw it for Eastwood. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member The comedy is very light, but it's all played out with verve and gusto which makes it a feel-good film. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member hinger's last pic for RKO Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Nice movie. yeah dude thats the real deal. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The First Traveling Saleslady

      The First Traveling Saleslady (1956) The First Traveling Saleslady (1956) View more photos

      Movie Info

      Synopsis In 1897 New York, Rose Gillray (Ginger Rogers) struggles to keep her corset business afloat. When Rose suggests that singer Molly Wade (Carol Channing) wear her daring new corset in her revue, the show is shut down. In debt to steel manufacturer Jim Carter (David Brian), Rose declares she can sell steel wire to stubborn cattle ranchers in Texas and clear her debt. Along the way, Rose is joined by Molly, inventor Charles Masters (Barry Nelson) and cattle baron Joel Kingdom (James Arness).
      Director
      Arthur Lubin
      Production Co
      RKO Pictures
      Genre
      Comedy
      Original Language
      English
      Runtime
      1h 32m