Blondie Johnson (DVD)

Joan Blondell, one of Hollywood's most memorable blondes, gets top billing in this protofeminist crime yarn as tough as a taxi dancer's heart. Blondell's first starring role was also a change of pace for a contract player usually cast as a chorus cutie or the male lead's loyal doxy. Instead she plays the title character, a Depression-downtrodden waif who uses her brains instead of her body to rise from tyro con artist to crime boss. A terrific supporting cast -- Chester Morris, Allen Jenkins. Mae Busch, Sterling Holloway -- comes along for the rags-to-rackets ride through all the murder and double-crossing that make crime melodrama great entertainment. This time with a woman's touch.

• drama