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.

A lowly hatcheck girl at the Stork Club saves a wealthy old guy from drowning. Grateful, he sets up big expense accounts for her, anonymously. As a result, she can only guess at her benefactor, which she and her jealous boyfriend usually get really wrong. And if that's not enough, she and her boyfriend are trying to make it in musical show business. It's like the production is trying to crowd in too much plot and the parts fail to blend into a satisfying whole. That leaves us with a few stellar parts (the amusing expense accounts stampede) amid too much meandering talk and plot shenanigans. Hutton generally lights up the screen, especially with her scintillating "Doctor, Lawyer …" But her numbers are few and far between. Meanwhile, Fitzgerald was a star and so gets a lot of screen time as the sly old Croesus, who follows Judy (Hutton) around giving advice. Unfortunately, for we curious provincials, there's not enough of the Stork Club or its sophisticates despite the title. There is, however, an edifying look at styles and hip lingo, circa 1945. Then too, I'm guessing that the notoriously sassy Iris Adrian had to tone down her usual act so as not to interfere with Hutton. Add too much dawdling direction from Hal Walker, an underused Robert Benchley (Curtis), plus an oddly wooden Don DeFore (Danny) conducting his band with all the verve of a sleepwalker, and the overall result is a disappointing 100-minutes. For sure, it's not the best showcase for fans of that human dynamo, Betty Hutton.

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.

So, this beautiful blonde saves a rich old man from drowning, see? But she doesn't realize he's rich, see? And she tries to get him a job at the Stork Club, where she works, see? And he decides to secretly make her rich for being so nice to him, see? A totally predictable feel-good movie, worth watching if you like Betty Hutton and WWII vintage studio potboilers with fun stories and a couple of good musical numbers.