AllMovie

Career Girl is a B-movie musical, clearly done on the cheap and by the book, but offering a moderate dose of entertainment. Very clearly "inspired" by Stage Door, Career has absolutely nothing new to offer in the way of plot, and most of the incidents that litter said plot seem designed to do little more than fill time. The subplot involving the very sweet but untalented Sue might have been made into something interesting, but there's no depth (nor point) to it, and so it only provides a little climactic melodrama. Career does provide a decent showcase for the highly enjoyable vocalizing of star Frances Langford, whose creamy voice is always a pleasure to hear. The songs are standard-issue stuff, but they get the job done. Langford's no brilliant actress, but her down-to-earth personality makes her easy company to pass some time with. Character actress Iris Adrian steals a number of scenes with her brassy and sassy wisecracking, and Edward Norris has a few good moments as Langford's eventual love interest. Faring less well is Craig Woods. True, he's saddled with a poorly written part, but even so, his performance is dull in the extreme. Career is creaky and silly, but those who love old musicals should enjoy it.