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      The Hard Way

      Released Feb 20, 1943 1h 49m Drama List
      Reviews 71% Audience Score 100+ Ratings Helen (Ida Lupino) wants out of her small town and sees her sister Katie (Joan Leslie) as her means when she discovers that Katie can sing. Manipulating Katie into a marriage with another singer, Katie finds happiness on the road performing, but Helen wants more. She forces Katie to dump her singing husband and go solo. As Katie's success grows, the tension between the two sisters increases and is taken to the breaking point when they both fall in love with the same man. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

      View All (3) Critics Reviews
      James Agee The Nation There is a good deal in it to excite and to please. Feb 10, 2021 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews The part Ida got because Bette Davis rejected it, is well-served by her. Rated: B Aug 30, 2014 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: B+ Mar 5, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Steve D Melodramatic but strongly made. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/29/23 Full Review acsdoug D Joan Leslie is not very convincing as a song and dance superstar. Ida Lupino, on the other hand, is terrific. Her hard boiled driven character is perfect for her acting style. Dennis Morgan is very good here too. Good movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/22/23 Full Review David K Good cast leads a good film that's better than it should be. Hardly unique in its depiction of the drama and unbridled ambition of the lead - Ida Lupino - one of the greats for both her acting chops and pioneering role as a female director (not for this film, that would come later). Joan Leslie, Dennis Morgan, and Jack Carson all turn in stellar performances. I've heard Joan Leslie sing in other films, but her slightly off singing here is perfect for the role. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/14/23 Full Review s r A dramatic tale of show business and love. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member ida lupino shines as a hard boiled sister with an iron will. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Second-rate soap opera, Ida Lupino is wasted here. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Hard Way

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis Helen (Ida Lupino) wants out of her small town and sees her sister Katie (Joan Leslie) as her means when she discovers that Katie can sing. Manipulating Katie into a marriage with another singer, Katie finds happiness on the road performing, but Helen wants more. She forces Katie to dump her singing husband and go solo. As Katie's success grows, the tension between the two sisters increases and is taken to the breaking point when they both fall in love with the same man.
      Director
      Vincent Sherman
      Production Co
      Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Feb 20, 1943, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Oct 7, 2016
      Runtime
      1h 49m