Life is so distressing to Helen Chernen (Ida) that, as the film begins, she jumps into the river, with the hopes of killing herself. Rescued by some passers-by, Helen is asked why she would want to end her life; in answer, she reflects back on the last several years of her life.
Responsible for her younger sister, Katie (Joan Leslie), ever since the death of their mother several years earlier, Helen chose to marry Sam---a man she doesn't like or respect. When Sam tells her they cannot afford $8 for a graduation dress for Katie, Helen is most unhappy, and she vows that Katie will amount to something...that she will get out of the dirty, sooty mining town they live in. Therefore, when Helen discovers that Katie had made the acquaintance of two Vaudeville actors and that one of those actors, Albert Runkel (Jack Carson), was quite complimentary towards Katie, she manipulates and schemes to get Katie included as part of the act. She is irritated, though, because Katie and Albert decided to get married, and according to Helen, Albert is not a man for a lifetime.
Going on the road with the trio---in essence, to look out for her sister's career---Helen plays up to Albert's partner, Paul Collins (Dennis Morgan), encouraging him to cut down on Albert's part and to increase Katie's. When Paul sees through her and refuses to do that, Helen manipulates once more, this time seeing to it that Paul is pushed from the group.
As the act of Albert and Katie travels to New York, Helen pounds the pavement to line up jobs; in reality, though, the jobs she is securing are for her sister only...not for Albert. Eventually, Albert is left by the wayside and returns to his act with Paul, as Katie---now using her maiden name---becomes one of the hottest stars in the theatre. Controlled by Helen, who wants her to break from the unsuccessful Albert, Katie has little time for her husband's calls and visits, a fact which devastates the man and brings him to a crisis point. And Paul, watching it all play out, accuses Helen of being without heart, blood, or feelings; attracted to Paul, however, she assures him that she could fall in love with someone. Meanwhile, Katie is finding that although she is wildly successful, there is something missing in her life.
Will Katie figure out what it is she most wants out of life? Will she return to her husband? Will Helen realize her drive for success is destroying what she loves most? These are the questions which play out in the remainder of this interesting film.
Ida Lupino was at her nasty best here in The Hard Way. Her drive, ambition, and willingness to hurt anyone who got in her way makes her character extremely unlikeable. That said, though, Ida's portrayal of Helen was spot-on. Although I enjoy seeing her in "nice girl" roles and even count one of them as my favorite of her films (On Dangerous Ground), I think Ida was at her very best when she was playing nasty. She is really super here. (As an aside, I read that this role was first offered to Bette Davis, who turned it down. Bette (my #1 gal) was also one who excelled when she was being nasty, and I know she would have done an incredible job in this role too; Ida, though, was more than perfect, and I cannot imagine her being improved upon.)
Joan Leslie is sweet and lovely...and she gets an opportunity to "strut her stuff" a bit in this film. There are a few song and dance numbers. And speaking of songs, Dennis Morgan, who has the most adorable lopsided smile, does some singing of his own; from what I've learned of Mr. Morgan, he was quite the singer off camera as well...being a part of his church choir for years. Jack Carson, who I ordinarily don't care for, was really great in his role too. Although he is mostly thought of as a comedic actor, he did a super job playing dramatic. I found the film a bit touching and even got mildly teary-eyed a couple of times.
This film is out on DVD, so it ought to be fairly easy to track down. Also, it is available in its entirety on YouTube (HERE).
Happy viewing!!