A Girl Must Live

A Girl Must Live is a 1939 British romantic comedy film directed by Carol Reed and starring Margaret Lockwood, with supporting cast Renee Houston, Lilli Palmer, and Hugh Sinclair.  Based on the 1936 novel by Emery Bonett with the same title, the plot features a group of chorus line girls who compete for the affection of a distinguished bachelor. 

Summary
Leslie James (Margaret Lockwood), a stage name taken by a young woman who runs away from a finishing school, falls in with a carefree group of chorus line girls who fancy themselves for attracting wealthy men.  Upon hearing that a royal bachelor, the Earl of Pangborough, will be returning home after years abroad, Gloria Lind (Renée Houston) positions herself on the arm of the bachelor and invites him to a chorus line performance.  Clytie Devine (Lilli Palmer), after hearing about the Earl, realizes that Gloria Lind had cheated her out of a chance to meet the wealthy bachelor and a raucous fight occurs between the two women.  At the chorus line performance, the Earl meets all the women and, afterward, attends a party with them.  That evening, each of the three women take turns attracting the Earl. 

Soon after, the entire dance troupe is invited to the castle-like home of the Earl, where he resides with his mother and house staff.  At the mansion, the three women hatch their plans for seducing the Earl, much to the displeasure of his mother.  Clytie and Gloria, respectively, attempt to seduce the Earl with the help of the chorus line's con-man assistant, who is looking for his own way to capitalize on the situation.  Leslie James, after winning the Earl's affection, admits to her manipulative lies and shows that she has, in fact, become emotionally involved.  The Earl, in a romantically idealized set of scenes, falls in love with "Ms. James" and they become married. 

Production
The film was based on a novel by Emery Bonnett published in 1937. 

Gaumont British bought the rights and decided to make the film as one of their 12 "A class" features for 1937-38, made with an eye on the US market.  Anna Lee and Lilli Palmer were the original stars.  Eventually Margaret Lockwood and Renee Houston were announced as stars. 

Cast
Margaret Lockwood as Leslie James
Renée Houston as Gloria Lind
Lilli Palmer as Clytie Devine
George Robey as Horace Blount
Hugh Sinclair as Earl of Pangborough
Naunton Wayne as Hugo Smythe
Moore Marriott as Bretherton Hythe
Mary Clare as Mrs. Wallis
David Burns as Joe Gold
Kathleen Harrison as Penelope
Drusilla Wills as Miss Polkinghome
Wilson Coleman as Mr. Joliffe
Helen Haye as Aunt Primrose
Frederick Burtwell as Hodder
Muriel Aked as Mme.  Dupont, headmistress
Martita Hunt as Mme.  Dupont, assistant
Kathleen Boutall as Mrs. Blount
Michael Hordern		
Merle Tottenham as College inmate
Joan White as	College inmate

It was one of a series of movies Carol Reed made starring Margaret Lockwood when she was a "resident ingenue". 

References

External links

A Girl Must Live at TCMDB

A Girl Must Live at Britmovie
A Girl Must Live at Silver Sirens.co.uk
A Girl Must Live at the British Film Institute
Review of film at Variety
1941 review of film at Variety

Category:1939 films
Category:1930s comedy-drama films
Category:1930s romantic comedy films
Category:British dance films
Category:British comedy-drama films
Category:British romantic comedy films
Category:20th Century Fox films
Category:Films based on British novels
Category:Films based on romance novels
Category:Films directed by Carol Reed
Category:1930s dance films
Category:British black-and-white films
Category:British films