Although I've never seen the movie (wish Netflix had more from the 30's & 40's!), the movie was scripted for Lux Radio Theater, hosted by Cecil B. DeMille, and starring Marion Davies. On the radio show, I thought Davies was outstanding, perhaps because there was no singing (or, duh, dancing). Now I want to see the movie! Pulled it down from a vastly under-known archival website: https://archive.org/details/oldtimeradio, which holds tens of thousands of old time radio shows, all freely downloadable. Awesome.

What compels me to write a review on a film I have little enthusiasm for. Well, the rating IMDb has given this film for one thing. Another is the star of this film who seems to have a fervent following here. The synopsis has been covered many times so I will simply say it is a vehicle for Marion Davies to do her stuff.First of all I appreciate Marion's fans are willing to bump the rating up on this film but this is not an 8.1 movie as it is currently rated at IMDb. This was my first exposure to Marion Davies. This film is her show. She sings, she dances, she acts. I was not particularly impressed by her, except for a boundless energy she manages to carry throughout the film. And the fact the film moves along nicely and is never dull. I was wondering if I had missed something and gave the film to my wife to watch. She has a large collection of vintage musicals. Her opinion was more critical than mine. Marion can't sing, she can't dance and her acting is a little over the top.Now before all the Marion Davies fans tar and feather me, let me say this. This review is aimed more at people who are not familiar with her. Try a Marion Davies film out, maybe you will like her as many people do.

Peg o' My Heart (1933) ** 1/2 (out of 4)Based on the J. Hartley Manners play, this film becomes a showcase for star Marion Davies who gives it her all as the spunky Irish girl who moves to England so that she can collect a large inheritance. First she has to become a lady but what she doesn't know is that in order to collect the money she can't see her father (J. Farrell MacDonald) again. This story was previously filmed twice in the silent era but looking at the story one couldn't help but think it would be nice material for the star. The film on the whole looks and smells good but once you bite into it you'll realize that there's really not as much here as you'd think. That's not to say the film isn't worth watching but I'm going to go out on a limb and say only Davies fans will really want to spend their precious time with it. Davies manages to be quite good here, although I don't think anyone could defend her Irish accent, which is all over the place. At times she seems to slip in and out of it so much you can't help but get a little smile on your face. Outside of that Davies is good in the film and gives it her all and this includes some very funny facial gestures including some funny eye winks. The supporting cast is a bit of a letdown with Onslow Stevens looking completely bored throughout and Juliette Compton coming off too stiff. MacDonald has some good moments but he isn't in the film too much. The film isn't ever as funny as one might hope as the fish out of water routine never really gets pushed to its limits, which I think is the fault of the (uncredited) director.

Peg O' My Heart is really charming,due mainly to the wonderful Marion Davies. She also sings and dances in a few numbers quite delightfully! I saw this on the Turner Classic Movies cable station. A real boon to classic movie lovers!