Classic Character - Joan Blondell

During the decade of the 1930's, if there was anyone who epitomized the brassy blonde, it was Joan Blondell.  No dumb blonde this one, she was fast talking, smart, and funny, and always a step ahead of you.  And while she was big in the 30's, her career spanned over 40 years.  I happened on a few of her movies recently, and she is definitely deserving of the title "Classic Character".  Check her out in these:

Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933) - Joan shares an apartment with a group of chorus girls. Their composer neighbor Dick Powell is in love with Joan's roommate Ruby Keeler. Unbeknownst to them, neighbor boy is heir to a family fortune, and his interfering brother, played by Warren William, comes to New York to try to bust up the romance.  He thinks that Joan is Ruby, and this begins an elaborate case of mistaken identity. A very funny movie, and she's great in it.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945) - notable for being the first picture directed by Elia Kazan, it's the sentimental story of a young girl growing up in Brooklyn in the early 1900's, and the challenges faced by her and her family. Joan plays Aunt Sissy, sister to Mother Dorothy McGuire. Although adored by her niece and nephew, her sister doesn't consider her the finest example, as Sissy has had 3 different husbands, all of whom she has called "Bill". It's a terrific role, filled with humor and understanding. I think it's her best work.

The Cincinnati Kid (1965) - Steve McQueen is a young card-playing phenom, who wants to be the greatest poker-player ever. Edward G. Robinson is the grand old man of the game, and Joan Blondell is Lady Fingers, well-known in New Orleans, and a supporter of The Kid. It is she who will end up dealing the hand in their final confrontation.