Betty Hutton's film career consists of 3 or 4 famous films, and lots of forgotten ones. "The Stork Club" is among the latter, even though it's one of her most easily available on DVD. The songs are third-rate, and the story is built entirely on tiresome misunderstandings that could have been resolved in three minutes, if only the characters really wanted to resolve them (they go on for an unreasonable 98 minutes). Hutton is forced to be honest and lovelorn instead of wacky and brassy most of the time, and it doesn't really suit her; Iris Adrian has one good line or, more accurately, word: "I saved him from drowning" - "Why?"! *1/2 out of 4.

After a promising start, this film nosedives into a ridiculous plot that not only seems to run forever, but even succeeds in smothering some of the music-and-song interludes. With a super-perky performer like Betty Hutton in the lead, you would think that a hard task, but somehow – maybe due to slack direction by Hal Walker (he earned his wings as an assistant director 1932-1942) – the movie manages to out-stay its welcome. Another problem is that the scenario makes little sense. This would not be so bad in itself if it were not pushed into our faces all the time. A wise director would soft- peddle the stupid story and not keep thrusting it into the foreground. In fact, thanks to Mr. Walker, the dopey plot is played out with such vehemence that it even succeeds in smothering some of the musical highlights. One-note Betty Hutton, as we all well-know, doesn't know how to practice restraint, but we expect an actor who lacks charisma – like Don DeFore – to stay in the background and not keep thrusting himself forward. But, I agree, an actor can only obey directions from his director, and if a director doesn't ask him to tone down his performance, he's not going to do it. Fortunately, Barry Fitzgerald not only does his best to even the score but even does his own stuntwork! He's a brave man, that's for sure! I wouldn't do it in a million years, let alone repeat the stunt as Barry does here. Alas, even Fitz is ultimately defeated by the ridiculous, over-wordy and over-plotted script. No, I'm wrong! The script is both over-plotted and under-plotted. It even invades some of the musical numbers. In all, at 98 minutes, the movie runs far too long. Its stupid plot and totally unbelievable characters don't help. At 90 minutes, you might just get away with it, but saddled with over-bouncy Betty, pushy Don and slow-talking Barry – especially scene-hogging Don – no way! Available on a very good 50- Movie-Mega-Pack Comedy Classics DVD.

The Stork Club movie is probably best enjoyed by those in their late 30s and upwards. The movies in the 40s generally provide adequate entertainment for either a matinée or an evening showing. This movie is no exception. The stars in this movie seamlessly perform their parts well. The plot is not that great. The movie drags a little in the middle, but many movies do. Betty Hutton is always entertaining. There is some musical scores and singing in the movie which leads to additional enjoyment. The plot like many 40s movies is highly predictable. Yet Barry Fitzgerald is very entertaining as well. The Stork Club provides a non-memorable, yet entertaining way to pass time. Not quite a "Busy" movie. You can enjoy the movie with a bowl of popcorn and some friends. Enjoy.

Although I don't consider The Stork Club a classic, it's the kind of escapist fluff the Hollywood studio "system" cranked out like an assembly line. The millionaire referred to in the other user's comments was Barry Fitzgerald, a fine Irish character actor. He is best remembered for roles in memorable films such as "How Green was My Valley," and "The Naked City," as well as "Going My Way," for which he was nominated for both Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor (win) for the same role, the only actor ever so recognized. He is also part of an exclusive group nominated for both lead and supporting Oscars in the same year(although for different films). But he is best remembered as the delightful Michaleen, the matchmaker with the mischievous leprechaun-like charm in "The Quiet Man." Although not a conventional beauty, star Betty Hutton wasn't a major talent but she had an infectiously vivacious quality and innocence that made her appealing. "The Stork Club" is worth viewing if only for Hutton's all-stops-out rendition of Hoagy Carmichael's "Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief," which she belts out with irresistible enthusiasm.That aside, the film is historically memorable for supposedly using a set that was an exact replica of the long-defunct Stork Club, a notoriously exclusive New York institution for decades. The so-called "sanctum sanctorum" of the real Stork Club was the Cub Room, which only admitted celebrities and other big names, and their guests. In the great "All About Eve," the Cub Room is the celebrity watering hole that Bette Davis refers to as the place where "the elite meet." A harmless confection and curio from a bygone age that is worth a look for the nostalgic value of a now-unimaginably innocent time.