In a theatrical boarding house of female actresses and dancers all struggling towards their shot at Broadway fame, the supremely assured, clearly well-bred Terry Randall (Hepburn) causes quite a stir on arrival. Terry's roommate, Jean Maitland (Rogers), comes from humbler origins; hard knocks on the theatre circuit have made her more cynical and less confident than Terry. Initial wariness between Terry and the rest of the girls gradually turns to respect over time — and then a tragic event brings them all together...

Based on a play by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber, this glorious ensemble film evokes the near-constant frustration and rejection that wars with hope and sheer love of craft as these young women try to make their own dreams of success a reality. Stars Hepburn and Rogers play off each other expertly, and sterling support comes from a young Lucille Ball, Eve Arden and Ann Miller. Adolphe Menjou is also well-cast as suave, predatory producer Tony Powell. This is one “stage door” worth knocking on.