Romance In Manhattan (1935)

A Czech immigrant (Francis Lederer) is being deported but he jumps ship and swims ashore. When he meets a chorus girl (Ginger Rogers), she takes pity on him and sneaks him into her apartment building where he sleeps on the roof. It isn't long before love is in bloom. Directed by Stephen Roberts (THE STORY OF TEMPLE DRAKE). A rather routine if pleasant 1930s romance takes on an added layer of significance that it wouldn't have had a year ago. The movie takes place during an era where immigrants were welcome, where everybody knew the policeman who patrolled their neighborhood and the police were there to protect you, not terrorize you. This film could never take place in 2025. That aside, Lederer's naivete becomes tiresome after awhile. Sure, he's an innocent dreamer in a strange land but his lack of guile stretches belief. It doesn't help that Lederer and Rogers have zero chemistry. With J. Farrell MacDonald, Donald Meek, Sidney Toler and Eily Malyon.