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  • Cafe Hostess (1940)
  • Approved
    65 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Cafe Hostess (1940)
Approved
65 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller

Jo (Ann Dvorak), a "percentage girl" at the notorious Club 46, is in despair. She can see no way out of the dreary and sordid routine of entertaining customers - called drinking and dancing in 1940 - and, at a signal from piano player ...See moreJo (Ann Dvorak), a "percentage girl" at the notorious Club 46, is in despair. She can see no way out of the dreary and sordid routine of entertaining customers - called drinking and dancing in 1940 - and, at a signal from piano player Eddie Morgan (Douglas Fowley), rolling them for their money. Eddie, besides being brutal to her and spending all her money, is also carrying on an affair with another girl. Jo's only friend is Annie (Wynne Gibson), a former actress but now a drink-sodden derelict. Annie keeps to herself the knowledge that it was Eddie who threw the knife that killed a petty racketeer who was too attentive to Jo. Sailor Dan Walters (Preston Foster) and two of his pals arrive from a cruise and his good nature delights Joe, but at a wink from Eddie, Jo attempts to steal his money. Dan swallows his disillusionment and returns to the cafe, and he and Jo enjoy a day-long picnic together. She accepts his marriage proposal and go to an up-state town where he has a job waiting. Eddie does not accept this turn events any too well, and sets a trap for Dan when he comes after Jo. When he arrives, in an attempt to save his life, Jo denounces and ridicules him and he leaves angrily. He is met by Annie, who tells him of the set-up. Gathering his pals, Dan returns to the cafe and starts a brawl. Written by Les Adams See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Writers
Harold Shumate (screenplay) | Tay Garnett (story) | Howard Higgin (story)
Cinematographer
Benjamin H. Kline (as Benjamin Kline)
Editor
Trending

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Status
Edit Released
Updated Jan 11, 1940

Release date
Jan 11, 1940 (United States)

Contacts

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Cast

+ Add Cast
32 cast members
Name Known for
Preston Foster
Dan Walters Dan Walters   See fewer
Douglas Fowley
Eddie Morgan Eddie Morgan   See fewer
Arthur Loft
Steve Mason Steve Mason   See fewer
Eddie Acuff
Scotty Scotty   See fewer
Dorothy Comingore
Tricks (as Linda Winters) Tricks (as Linda Winters)   See fewer
Dick Wessel
Henchman Willie Henchman Willie   See fewer
Peggy Shannon
Nellie Nellie   See fewer
Frank Austin
Peddler (uncredited) Peddler (uncredited)   See fewer
Walter Baldwin
Jones (uncredited) Jones (uncredited)   See fewer
Don Beddoe
Customer (uncredited) Customer (uncredited)   See fewer
James Blaine
Cop (uncredited) Cop (uncredited)   See fewer
Veda Ann Borg
Cafe Hostess (uncredited) Cafe Hostess (uncredited)   See fewer
Betty Compson
Cafe Hostess (uncredited) Cafe Hostess (uncredited)   See fewer
James Craig
Rocky (uncredited) Rocky (uncredited)   See fewer
Lorna Gray
Cafe Hostess (uncredited) Cafe Hostess (uncredited)   See fewer
Mike Lally
Kitchen Helper (uncredited) Kitchen Helper (uncredited)   See fewer
William Lally
Cop (uncredited) Cop (uncredited)   See fewer
Eddie Laughton
Henchman (uncredited) Henchman (uncredited)   See fewer
George Lloyd
Mr. Brown (uncredited) Mr. Brown (uncredited)   See fewer
Eve Lynne
Cafe Hostess (uncredited) Cafe Hostess (uncredited)   See fewer
George McKay
Kennedy (uncredited) Kennedy (uncredited)   See fewer
Pat McKee
Ice Man (uncredited) Ice Man (uncredited)   See fewer
William Pawley
Red Connolly (uncredited) Red Connolly (uncredited)   See fewer
Ralph Peters
Cab Driver (uncredited) Cab Driver (uncredited)   See fewer
Matty Roubert
Newsboy (uncredited) Newsboy (uncredited)   See fewer
Stephen Soldi
Florist (uncredited) Florist (uncredited)   See fewer
John Tyrrell
Bartender (uncredited) Bartender (uncredited)   See fewer
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