Fifth Avenue Girl

Fifth Avenue Girl is a classic film from the golden age of cinema, released in 1939, directed by Gregory La Cava and headlined by one of Hollywood's most emblematic stars – Ginger Rogers. Rogers shares the screen with other notable stars such as Walter Connolly, Verree Teasdale, and Tim Holt, who all serve to enrich the film's elegant atmosphere.

The plot is based around common themes of the time – a blend of comedy, societal critique, and romantic subplots with doses of drama. Ginger Rogers shines in the lead role as Mary Grey, a young, jobless woman struggling through the harsh realities of the Great Depression. Early in the film, she meets the wealthy and despondent industrialist Alfred Borden, played by Walter Connolly, who feels ignored and unappreciated by his own family.

Their meeting takes place on a park bench in Central Park on Alfred's birthday, which his family forgot, thus deepening his feeling of disappointment and loneliness. Contrasting the hopeless Mary with the wealthy yet unhappy Alfred, the film hints at the reality that money can't buy happiness, and strengthens this motive as the film progresses.

In an attempt to make his family notice him and the harsh reality outside their privileged lives, Alfred impulsively decides to hire Mary to play the role of his glamorous mistress. The big reveal here is when Alfred shows up at his Fifth Avenue mansion with Mary on his arm. The interactions that follow are built to induce both laughter and empathy from the audiences, as the family dynamics become comical and the relationships between characters start shifting dramatically.

Tim Holt plays the role of Alfred's son, Tim Borden, who’s initially ignorant of Mary's real situation, and ironically finds himself falling for her. His feelings inadvertently play into Alfred's plan, further muddying the waters of love, deception, and familial expectations.

Verree Teasdale portrays the role of Mrs. Borden - a woman of upper-class, aloof, and more concerned with her dog's health than her husband's depression, portraying a satirical commentary on the superficiality of high society.

In a series of miscommunications, humorous situations, and emotional confrontations, Fifth Avenue Girl paints a vivid picture of class distinctions and human relationships. The ambiance of 1930s New York is ever-present throughout the film, reflecting the divide between the wealthy and those less fortunate in a sensitive, thoughtful manner.

Executed precisely with timely humor and drama, the film manages to touch upon some substantial subjects while keeping the mood fairly light. It addresses the Great Depression, a pivotal time in the American history, focusing on how different societal classes experience the same period in stark different ways, and highlighting those on both ends of the economic spectrum - the ultra-rich living on Fifth Avenue and the struggling working class in Mary Grey's demographic.

Ginger Rogers gives a memorable performance, imbuing Mary with a natural charm that is rivaled only by her trademark wit and independent spirit. Walter Connolly offers a convincing portrayal as a disheartened millionaire desperate for his family's attention, whereas Verree Teasdale’s depiction of the snooty upper-class wife brings an extra layer of humor and sophistication to the narrative.

Finally, Fifth Avenue Girl interestingly concludes, presenting its audience with a heartening ending that still carries a hint of ambiguity. The movie offers up a slice of life storytelling, bringing forward both the glamour and struggles of its era.

All in all, Fifth Avenue Girl is a charming, poignant, and funny film, enriched by a great cast and an adept director. It might not be one of the most well-known titles in the filmographies of its stars, but it is a testament to its time – a time capsule portraying a specific snapshot of American history and all its associated emotions, which still manages to resonate with today's viewers.