Juke Girl is a 1942 American drama film directed by Curtis Bernhardt, written by A. I. Bezzerides, and starring Ann Sheridan and Ronald Reagan. The supporting cast includes Richard Whorf, George Tobias, Gene Lockhart, Alan Hale Sr., Howard Da Silva, Donald MacBride, Faye Emerson, Willie Best, and Fuzzy Knight. The plot focuses on the plight of exploited farmers and farmworkers in the South.[2]

Juke Girl
Directed byCurtis Bernhardt
Screenplay byA. I. Bezzerides
Story byTheodore Pratt
Produced byJack Saper
Jerry Wald
StarringAnn Sheridan
Ronald Reagan
Richard Whorf
CinematographyBert Glennon
Edited byWarren Low
Music byAdolph Deutsch
Production
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Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release date
  • May 30, 1942 (1942-05-30)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1.1 million (US rentals)[1]

Tagline

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"Shapely Ann Sheridan is starred with Ronald Reagan in the story of a dime-a-dance girl who discovers her veneer of hardness is not so solid as she had thought."[3]

Plot

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Farm workers Steve and Danny seek jobs in the fields of Florida, where a man named Henry Madden runs a packing plant and uses strong-arm tactics while preventing many farmers from selling their crops.

Steve meets and falls in love with Lola Mears, a "juke girl" employed at Muckeye John's club. They befriend farmer Nick Garcos, whose attempt to sell his tomatoes in Atlanta is foiled by Madden's henchman Cully.

Danny turns against his friend Steve, deciding to work for Madden. In a fight, Nick is killed by Madden, who then attempts to frame Steve and Lola for murder. Madden's crime is uncovered, resulting in Steve and Lola leaving town to begin a new life.

Cast

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Production

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The picture was released the following month after the classic Kings Row, which also stars Sheridan and Reagan as a couple.

References

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  1. ^ "101 Pix Gross in Millions" Variety 6 Jan 1943 p 58
  2. ^ Article on Juke Girl at Turner Classic Movies accessed 3 June 2013
  3. ^ Staff, "Fox Will Show The 'Juke Girl'", The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Washington, Friday 12 June 1942, Volume 60, Number 29, page 5.
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