$20 a Week

$20 a Week is a 1935 American melodrama film directed by Wesley Ford and starring James Murray, Pauline Starke, and Gwen Lee. It was released on February 2, 1935.

For the 1924 silent film, see Twenty Dollars a Week.
$20 a Week
Directed byWesley Ford
Written byL. V. Jefferson
Produced byBurton L. King
StarringPauline Starke
James Murray
Gwen Lee
CinematographyArthur Martinelli
Edited byFred Bain
Production
company
Alexander Brothers
Distributed byState Rights
Ajax Pictures
Release date
  • February 2, 1935 (1935-02-02) (US)[1]
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Sally Blair, a feisty young stenographer is in the employ of a Mr. Warner, an insurance agent who fancies his chances. She accepts a date even though she had made plans with the new salesman, Peter Douglas. Warner takes Sally to a nightclub and, in a private room, tries to kiss her. She retaliates by punching him. Warner, for reasons unknown, promotes Sally to his personal secretary. Later, at a wedding, Peter proposes to Sally. The next day, Peter's mother, who believes Sally is after his money, warns her to keep away from Peter. Naturally, they end up getting married.[2]

Cast list

Production

In November 1934, Rob Eden's story, $20 a Week was purchased by the independent producer Burton L. King, with the intent of making the film independently and distributing it through Ajax Distributing Corporation.[3] The film was to be the first in a series of four pictures.[4] By the end of the month King had formed his production house, Four-Leaf Clover Productions, and had signed Pauline Starke to star in the film.[5][6] In December the name of the production company had become Ajax Pictures, and $20 a Week was the first of 10 films planned by the company.[7] By the end of December 1934 the filming on the picture had been completed.[8] In January 1935 it was revealed that John Murray was also starring in the film.[9]

Reception

The Film Daily gave the film a mostly negative review, calling Wesley Ford's direction "unnatural", and Al Martin's cinematography only fair. However, they did enjoy Starke's performance, saying that at times it rose "to excellent work", despite the mediocrity of the film.[10]

References
  1. "$20 a Week". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on January 7, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  2. "$20 A WEEK". AFI. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  3. "Burton King Buys Stories". The Film Daily. November 7, 1934. p. 2. Retrieved January 26, 2018.open access
  4. "The Hollywood Scene: Pauline Starke Signed". Motion Picture Herald. December 29, 1934. p. 51. Retrieved January 26, 2018.open access
  5. Ralph Wilk (November 24, 1934). "A Little From "Lots"". The Film Daily. p. 4. Retrieved January 26, 2018.open access
  6. "Pauline Starke Signed". Motion Picture Daily. November 24, 1934. p. 2. Retrieved January 26, 2018.open access
  7. "10 Pictures Planned by Ajax Pictures Corp". The Film Daily. December 10, 1934. p. 2. Retrieved January 26, 2018.open access
  8. "Coming and Going". The Film Daily. December 22, 1934. p. 2. Retrieved January 26, 2018.open access
  9. "Ajax Set for 1935-36". The Film Daily. January 21, 1935. p. 5. Retrieved January 26, 2018.open access
  10. "Reviews of the New Films: "$20 a Week"". The Film Daily. January 22, 1935. p. 4. Retrieved January 26, 2018.open access
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