If you enjoy the film Pocketful Of Miracles, which was the remake of this film, I highly recommend watching Lady for a Day the original. I found a copy of a 1933 review for this charming film and it states ' a picture which evoked laughter and tears from an audience at the first showing,' and it still hits the mark perfectly today as it did in 1933. May Robson was a superb choice to play Apple Annie and her performance is extremely splendid, she completely embodies the character of Annie, thus making her real and believable. Probably May Robson's best performance ever. No one could have done a better job of playing the lovable old Judge Blake than the wonderful Guy Kibbee. Warren William adequately handles the role of Dave the Dude along with Glenda Farrell as Missouri Martin. A host of excellent supporting actors all give sufficient performances to make this amusing sentimental tale of the grey-haired Cinderella a very pleasurable and entertaining film. There are many fine synopsis written for this film, however Lady for a Day must be seen to be fully appreciated. This is also a terrific example of Frank Capra's best work and one of the finest films from the 1930s.

I know, I know, lots of contributors mentioned the fairy tale angle, but that's what it is. A story well-done but which stretches the boundaries of believability to excess. I liked it, it was funny and well-acted and can't find a production flaw anywhere. I just get annoyed when a movie asks too much of one's ability to suspend disbelief.Having said all that, I thought the dialogue was great and on the whole the picture was very well-written - hard to quarrel with a combo of Damon Runyon and Robert Riskin. Director Capra kept up the brisk pace throughout and also gathered some of the best character actors in Hollywood to back up its stars. We'll never know how Marie Dressler would have been in the lead, but May Robson was perfect. Always liked Warren William, who struggled to achieve front-line status as an actor.There's a lot to like in "Lady For A Day" and it was very deserving of its AA nominations. A tad too fanciful for my taste, with the understanding it was pure escapist entertainment for depression-era audiences. But that's why they make different flavors of ice cream, right?

New York City gangster Warren William (as "Dave the Dude") thinks buying apples from alcoholic street hag May Robson (as "Apple Annie") bring him luck. The secretive Ms. Robson is supporting both a drinking habit and a daughter, schooled in a Barcelona, Spain convent. When pretty Jean Parker (as Louise) decides to visit, she is expecting mother Robson to be a wealthy society woman, due to Robson's misleading letters. The pressure renders Robson too drunk to panhandle, and Mr. William can't buy his lucky apples.Discovering the problem, William and his underworld pals rally to make Robson the "high society" lady her daughter is expecting. Pool-hustling Judge Guy Kibbee (as Henry Blake) agrees to pose as Robson's courtly husband; and, the duplicitous couple greet Ms. Parker, who arrives with well-heeled fiancé Barry Norton (as Carlos Romero) and his father, Count Walter Connolly. The able gang of supporting players, like wise-cracking Ned Sparks (as Happy), is industriously entertaining; but, the film does slow down during the second half.This was director Frank Capra's first version of apple-yielding writer Damon Runyon's chestnut. Mr. Capra re-made it as his last film, "Pocketful of Miracles" (1961), with Glenn Ford and Bette Davis. This "Lady for a Day" is the superior version; despite the creakier production values, which help give it some of the old-fashioned charm the re-make fails to achieve. Capra's fine direction and Robson's lovely performance placed second in the annual "Oscar" race, after Frank Lloyd "Cavalcade" and Katharine Hepburn "Morning Glory".******* Lady for a Day (9/7/33) Frank Capra ~ May Robson, Warren William, Guy Kibbee, Ned Sparks

this is the film that precedes IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT for the team of Frank Capra (director) and Robert Riskin (screenwriter). Sadly it's not regarded as one of his beloved classics...it deserves to be. William Warren is the perfect Dave the Dude, who's heart of gold aids the distressed aged damsel (May Robson...the titled LADY FOR A DAY). Most of it's innocent charm and humor haven't faded over the 71 years since it's release. Speaking of 70's...at 74 May Robson was the oldest actress to receive a Best Actress nomination.the scene near the end; where she's received by the real mayor of New York and his party guests at her phony party (meant to show off her "society" friends to her daughter, and future inlaws) is priceless. Miss Robson's quiet, teary eyed smile will still bring the viewer to near tears today. Also, Guy Kibbie, and Ned Sparks provide reliable comic support. a must see for all Capra fans.