Review of Roxie Hart (1942) by Diana T — 23 Oct 2007

2002's "Best Picture" Chicago, a screen adaptation of a long-running Broadway musical, was in-turn based on this comedy starring Ginger Rogers as the infamous killer. A little more digging reveals this movie was based on a stage play entitled Chicago that wasn't a musical.

This version's details of the story don't exactly match up with those in its modern counterpart, and the role of the press is brought out more in this frame narrative style. The performance of Adolphe Menjou as Billy Flynn the defense attorney is more nuanced than later actors (including Richard Gere).

Overall, this is a great movie that satirizes the role of the press in the justice system, and the justice system in general. A.