After giving birth to a baby girl, unmarried, unemployed Sally Trent (Claudette Colbert) tries to make it on her own. When the friend she is living with loses her job and moves away, Sally finds herself in dire straits---she's behind on her rent, locked out of her apartment, and unable to find a job. With no ability to support herself, let alone a child, Sally approaches the wealthy aunt of her former boyfriend, Michael Gardner (David Manners, though you won't see him until 45 minutes into the film), hoping that the woman will take her little girl. Although Sally promises to give up all claim to the child, the older woman will have no part of it; in fact, she's not even sure the child is that of her nephew
With nowhere else to turn, Sally returns to the hospital where she gave birth, putting her child into the hands of the kindly nun who had helped her months earlier. Although warned by the sister that things will be permanent, that she'll be giving up her daughter forever, Sally knows she has no choice.
Now without a child, Sally changes her image and takes on the name Mimi Benton, finding success as a nightclub singer and garnering an unsavory reputation.
A few years later, Sally/Mimi helps a friend out of a bind by stepping up to the mike when the storyteller of his children's radio program bails on him. Although she is Mimi Benton---torch singer---and not the wholesome Aunt Jenny she is slated to be, children all over the country love her. With ratings soaring, Sally is given the role permanently.
By now, Michael has returned from his trip to China, and he sets out to track down the woman he left behind and whom he still loves. Upon locating Sally, he is disconcerted by both her attitude towards him and the change in her demeanor. Gone is Sally Trent, he says, and in her place is a selfish, hard woman. Michael vows to do what it takes to win his love back. Sally, too, desires to do some winning back---she intends to use her radio show to track down the little girl she gave away. How it all plays out is the balance of the film.
This film is the youngest I have ever seen Miss Colbert, and I think she is beautiful. Her performance in this role is terrific. She is one of those stars who shines as readily in drama as she does in comedy. Oh, and she gets an opportunity to belt out a few tunes here. Who knew she could sing? The other stars, as well, do a great job in their roles. In fact, this film had the potential for being a 4-star gem; in the end, though, because the ending is lame, rushed, unrealistic, and leaves a lot of unanswered questions, I downgraded to 3 stars---but it's more like 3.5. Definitely, Torch Singer is a solid, very enjoyable film.
Out on DVD as part of a Pre-code Hollywood collection, Torch Singer should be fairly easy to track down. It is also available on YouTube, in parts. HERE is the link to the first part. If you enjoy pre-code films, or if you'd like to catch Claudette Colbert in her very young years, you'll definitely want to see this.
Happy viewing!
