A House Is Not a Home Reviews

Poorly and unimaginatively adapted from the autobiography of Polly Adler, one of the most successful Broadway bordello madams of the 1920s, A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME tells her story. As a young girl Winters is seduced and raped by the foreman of the sweatshop where she works. Her uncle, with whom she lives, refuses to believe that it wasn't her fault and throws her out of the house. She moves into an apartment owned by racketeer Taylor, who gets Winters started on her career when he pays her to bring some of her girl friends to a party for some of his gangster chums. She sees that the money is good and starts to work up her own clientele. As she gets more business, she moves to more fashionable locations. Her house becomes a meeting place for corrupt politicians, racketeers, and businessmen. Winters enters into a love affair with young songwriter Taeger, whose career she helps boost. She keeps her career a secret and finally breaks up with him to keep him from being ruined by her reputation. Edith Head's costumes were nominated for an Oscar.