Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysAPA Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

Rose of Washington Square

  • 19391939
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
622
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, and Al Jolson in Rose of Washington Square (1939)
  • Drama
  • Musical
  • Romance
A singer becomes a star in the Ziegfeld Follies, but her marriage to a con man has a bad effect on her career.A singer becomes a star in the Ziegfeld Follies, but her marriage to a con man has a bad effect on her career.A singer becomes a star in the Ziegfeld Follies, but her marriage to a con man has a bad effect on her career.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
622
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Gregory Ratoff
  • Writers
    • Nunnally Johnson(screen play)
    • John Francis Larkin(based on a story by)
    • Jerry Horwin(based on a story by)
  • Stars
    • Tyrone Power
    • Alice Faye
    • Al Jolson
Top credits
  • Director
    • Gregory Ratoff
  • Writers
    • Nunnally Johnson(screen play)
    • John Francis Larkin(based on a story by)
    • Jerry Horwin(based on a story by)
  • Stars
    • Tyrone Power
    • Alice Faye
    • Al Jolson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 21User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos27

    Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, and Al Jolson in Rose of Washington Square (1939)
    Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, and Al Jolson in Rose of Washington Square (1939)
    1 sheet 28 x 39
    Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, and Al Jolson in Rose of Washington Square (1939)
    Alice Faye and Al Jolson in Rose of Washington Square (1939)
    Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Lew Hicks, George Mori, and Charles C. Wilson in Rose of Washington Square (1939)
    Tyrone Power and Alice Faye in Rose of Washington Square (1939)
    Tyrone Power and Alice Faye in Rose of Washington Square (1939)
    Tyrone Power and Alice Faye in Rose of Washington Square (1939)
    Alice Faye in Rose of Washington Square (1939)
    Tyrone Power and Alice Faye in Rose of Washington Square (1939)
    Tyrone Power and Alice Faye in Rose of Washington Square (1939)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Tyrone Power
    Tyrone Power
    • Barton Dewitt Clintonas Barton Dewitt Clinton
    Alice Faye
    Alice Faye
    • Rose Sargentas Rose Sargent
    Al Jolson
    Al Jolson
    • Ted Cotteras Ted Cotter
    William Frawley
    William Frawley
    • Harry Longas Harry Long
    Joyce Compton
    Joyce Compton
    • Peggyas Peggy
    Hobart Cavanaugh
    Hobart Cavanaugh
    • Whitey Booneas Whitey Boone
    Moroni Olsen
    Moroni Olsen
    • Major Buck Russellas Major Buck Russell
    E.E. Clive
    E.E. Clive
    • Barouche Driveras Barouche Driver
    Louis Prima
    Louis Prima
    • Band Leaderas Band Leader
    Charles C. Wilson
    Charles C. Wilson
    • Police Lt. Mike Cavanaughas Police Lt. Mike Cavanaugh
    Hal K. Dawson
    • Chumpas Chump
    Paul E. Burns
    Paul E. Burns
    • Chumpas Chump
    • (as Paul Burns)
    Ben Welden
    Ben Welden
    • Tobyas Toby
    Horace McMahon
    Horace McMahon
    • Irvingas Irving
    • (as Horace MacMahon)
    Paul Stanton
    Paul Stanton
    • District Attorneyas District Attorney
    Maurice Cass
    Maurice Cass
    • Mr. Mok - Furniture Buyeras Mr. Mok - Furniture Buyer
    Harry Hayden
    • Dexteras Dexter
    Charles Lane
    Charles Lane
    • Sam Kressas Sam Kress
    • Director
      • Gregory Ratoff
    • Writers
      • Nunnally Johnson(screen play)
      • John Francis Larkin(based on a story by)
      • Jerry Horwin(based on a story by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    More like this

    Jesse James
    7.0
    Jesse James
    Prince of Foxes
    6.9
    Prince of Foxes
    Captain from Castile
    6.8
    Captain from Castile
    Something Wild
    6.7
    Something Wild
    I'll Never Forget You
    7.0
    I'll Never Forget You
    The Sun Also Rises
    6.2
    The Sun Also Rises
    Big House, U.S.A.
    6.6
    Big House, U.S.A.
    Johnny Apollo
    6.9
    Johnny Apollo
    Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake
    7.1
    Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake
    A Yank in the R.A.F.
    6.4
    A Yank in the R.A.F.
    Alexander's Ragtime Band
    6.9
    Alexander's Ragtime Band
    Somebody Loves Me
    6.3
    Somebody Loves Me

    Storyline

    Edit
    New York city in the 1920s: a singer struggles to keep her boyfriend from trouble. When she makes it to Ziegfeld, he heads for five years in jail. Lots of Faye and Jolson singing. The story is so close to the true story of Fanny Brice and Nicky Arnstein (Jules W. Arndt Stein) that he sued the studio in a case that was quickly settled out of court in his favor. —Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>
    • washington square manhattan
    • timeframe 1910s
    • timeframe 1920s
    • ziegfeld follies
    • star
    • 45 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • On the street that has no heart, a million voices sing...a million hearts seek love...a million dreams vanish in air! Out of these comes this entertainment highlight of the year! (Print Ad-Vancouver Sun, ((Vancouver, BC)) 17 May 1939)
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Musical
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This film closely resembles the life of entertainer Fanny Brice, and Alice Faye even sings Brice's signature song, "My Man" in the film. According to Alice Faye: The Star Next Door (1996), Brice sued 20th Century Fox for $750,000. The studio benefited from the publicity generated by the lawsuit - the film became the highest grossing musical of 1939 - and eventually settled out of court with Brice for an undisclosed amount. It has also been alleged that Power's character resembles Nicky Arnstein.
    • Quotes

      Barton Dewitt Clinton: You know, I wish you were in some kind of trouble.

      Rose Sargent: But why?

      Barton Dewitt Clinton: Just so that I could get you out of it.

    • Alternate versions
      They cut out Alice Faye singing "Chasing Rainbows" from the film, but it is on the DVD.
    • Connections
      Featured in Take It or Leave It (1944)
    • Soundtracks
      Rose of Washington Square
      Music by James F. Hanley

      Lyrics by Ballard MacDonald

      Performed by Alice Faye

    User reviews21

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    any similarity to real people is purely coincidental
    Despite this disclaimer at the beginning of "Rose of Washington Square," Fanny Brice realized the film was about her and quickly sued 20th Century Fox. Gee, wonder what the kicker was...the good-looking con man husband who goes to jail on a bond fraud? The lead character headlining with the Ziegfield Follies? Or was it the song "My Man"? Alice Faye is very pretty as Rose in this somewhat politically incorrect film which also stars Tyrone Power and Al Jolson: There's the man who is paid to drink so he can heckle Al Jolson as part of his act, and there's Al himself in blackface with white lips up on stage singing. Nevertheless, the real story concerns the codependent relationship between Rose and Bart, her crooked husband. But it's Tyrone Power, and what woman wouldn't have loved him - in fact, what woman didn't love him in 1939? He was the number 2 box office star. He portrays the likable but sleazy character very well. In the beginning of his career a few years earlier, he did romantic comedy, then did a string of films where he was a cad, then played soldiers, and after the war, did everything - he was a young man who found himself in "The Razor's Edge," played against type in "Nightmare Alley," and period-pieced his way through Fox until his contract finally ended. In 22 years as a star, he really did every genre, and did them beautifully.

    There's lots of music in this movie and a HUGE build-up to the song "My Man" before Faye ever sings it. When she does, it's not the Streisand version, but rather a torch song, sung in Faye's low, rich voice. Jolson was a terrific performer though apparently extremely egomaniacal and difficult to work with. He sings his standards: "Mammy," "California Here I Come," "Toot-toot-Tootsie," "Rockabye Your Baby," etc., and he's great. Power and Faye make a wonderful couple. And by the way, they shared the same birthday, a year apart.

    This is an okay film, but it's no Alexander's Ragtime Band, which is far superior.
    helpful•10
    2
    • blanche-2
    • Dec 21, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 5, 1939 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Roža velemesta
    • Filming locations
      • Stage 14, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 26 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Related news

    Maltz Jupiter Theatre Presents David Bell's 'Fanny Brice,' 11/10 - 11/24
    Nov 10BroadwayWorld.com

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, and Al Jolson in Rose of Washington Square (1939)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Rose of Washington Square (1939) officially released in Canada in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in May
    See the full list
    Image caption not available
    2:14
    The Most Anticipated Movies and Shows to Watch in May
    Watch the video

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.