I thought it was going to be OK for an underrated movie but in fact it was quite boring and just plain dull. I just think it wasn't a good idea for the lead character Biff to be a dentist as such and like falling for a blond headed woman won't save his skin of being just to get out of his misery. The storyline and the characters seem all over the place, maybe if there were less characters, I would understand the storyline really easily. I can say I'm glad to not have watched this more than 10 minutes as its just crap..

"Strawberry Blonde" has tremendous energy. It's a love letter to fin-de - siecle America, here a feisty, urban "melting pot" of the burgeoning middle-classes. This is a Horatio Alger America, a place rife with go- getters and plenty of opportunity, where immigrants from different nations (Irish and Greek) strive arm in arm. James Cagney, Olivia DeHavilland and Rita Hayworth give delicious, youthful performances in "Strawberry Blonde". Perhaps a bit too old for their respective roles, the actors nevertheless conjure the bold charm of a younger America. An avaricious coquette, an ambitious scrapper and a sensitive would-be suffragette, these are characters with big, bright expectations. And they are perfectly suited to the lively, bustling world director Raoul Walsh presents here. Walsh gives us a kind of turn-of-the-century paradise, a world of graceful hats and high necked-dresses, foamy beer and bright brass bands, horse drawn carriages, friendly policemen and dinner at Tony Pastor's. It's a world that's clean and optimistic, but not yet fully tame. Cagney's Biff Grimes has a temper. At the merest wisp of provocation, he puts up his dukes. But his fisticuffs don't count as brutality here, instead they are rough play, a manifestation of energy and virility and will. "Strawberry Blonde" may venerate traditional values, but it also celebrates desire and appetite and possibility. It's an appealing vision. And probably a perfect inspirational vehicle for its original WWII audiences. "Strawberry Blonde" works as both a paean to a spirited, self-sacrificing working class AND a promise of satisfactions to come.

A lovely film with perfect performances from all four leads. Cagney is at his braggart best in the early going changing and maturing in a real, believable way. Olivia saucy and a bit bold but with a tenderness underneath, one of her best early performances. They share an immensely moving scene in the later part of the film, some of the best acting either ever did. Jack Carson with his oily glad handing charm is a marvelous fit for the mercenary, boorish, contemptible and rather stupid Hugo. But the one who benefited most from this film was Rita Hayworth. She had been slowly working her way up the ladder to this point but taking over the role when Ann Sheridan got into a dispute with her Warner bosses she took it between her teeth and ran with it all the way to A list stardom. Beautiful and flighty and every mans fantasy she is sublime in her single minded pursuit of wealth and position. Witty and wry and looking sensational in the period clothing she also skillfully shows her character's gradual change from coquettish young filly to dissatisfied, hardened shrew. Walsh sets a sprightly tone to the film and moves it forward at an assured pace helped greatly by several members of the Warner stock company especially Alan Hale and George Tobias. Not as well known as it should be this is classic cinema from Hollywood's Golden age.

James Cagney's flare for comedy was never more apparent than in this Warner brother's beauty.The movie spans a ten year period and is mostly part of a flashback story set in turn of the century New York. Cagney plays Biff Grimes, an average Joe with aspirations of becoming a Dentist thanks to his monthly periodical correspondence course.He's desperately in love with Virginia (Rita Hayworth), known locally as The Strawberry Blonde who's the object of every local young mans affections including Biffs best friend Hugo Barnstead, (Jack Carson). Hugo's last name however, is almost a perfect anagram of what he is, (after a removal of an N & an E),as he's always taking advantage of Biff and uses him to make his own advances toward Virginia.On a blind date of sorts Hugo and Virginia pair up and Virginia introduces Biff to her free thinker best friend Amy, (Olivia De Havilland). Biff isn't exactly bowled over with Amy's charms in the same way he has been with Virginia's, but Amy seems smitten with Biff from the start.Hugo starts making a name for himself as a building contractor mostly thanks to local 'friends' like Biff who has contributed to most of his success but have seen no reward from the ungrateful Hugo.With his new social standing, Virginia marries Hugo and it's down to Amy to break the news to the crestfallen Biff. It is only then that Biff realises that Amy is the girl he should have been courting all along.18 months pass. Biff & Amy are now married and living somewhat modestly in the same neighbourhood. Biff only a month away from becoming a fully qualified dentist has a chance encounter with Virginia who invites Biff & Amy to dine with her and Hugo.Over a hilarious spaghetti dinner, it becomes apparent to Biff and Amy that Hugo and Virginia while both rich and influential are far from happily married and bicker constantly. At Virginia's insistence, Hugo appoints Biff as vice president of his company. The position is purely honourary and Hugo once again uses Biff by getting him to sign his name to contracts and invoices that he knows are illegal in a bid to keep his own grubby hands as clean as possible.When Biffs father is killed on a Barnstead building site due to the use of substandard building materials, Biff as the signatory, is the obvious fall guy and is sent prison for 5 years.During his incarceration, Biff finally completes his Dentistry exams and gains his diploma, while Amy returns to her former profession of nursing.When Biff is released, He finds that his love for Amy has actually been made stronger.Hugo is now a town Alderman with a toothache and his employers have managed to track down a dentist who's willing to pull teeth on a Sunday. Guess who? It's only when Hugo arrives that he finds the dentist is Biff and is understandably nervous. Biff also realises that Virginia's and Hugo's marriage has deteriorated to such an extent, that they can barely remain civil to one another.Biff, after exacting some mild revenge on his nemesis Hugo, comes to the serene conclusion that while Hugo and Virginia had achieved the social standing, the money and the well to do lifestyle. He and Amy had the happiness that was worth so much more. And who wouldn't be happy spending their life with Olivia De Havilland.The Strawberry Blonde is a wonderful little comedy and is stacked with that great American turn of the century music like the recurring 'And the Band Played On'. Great support comes from Alan Hale who delivers a hilarious turn as Biff's father. George Tobias appears as Biff's staunch Ally Nick the Barber and look out for future Superman George Reeves as a college guy spoiling for a fight with Biff.Enjoy!!!