KATHY'S CAR


I find it kinda strange that a struggling chorus girl can afford her own automobile.
I'd hate to think she had a rich "sugar daddy" who would provide her with such a luxury; I'd rather believe that she borrowed it from someone else.
After all, Kathy wasn't based on Marian Davies, as was Susan Alexander in CITIZEN KANE.

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There are any number of reasons why Kathy would have that car. While it's true she's a chorus girl, she could be from a comparatively well-off family; it may have been a gift from a relative who wanted to support her career. Or she may have gotten a few well-paying dance gigs that allowed her to make the down payment. Or, as you mentioned, she may have simply borrowed it from a friend for the evening.

But I think the real reason she has the car is that it provides her with an opportunity to meet Don Lockwood. In other words, it's a plot device and nothing more.

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According to Internet Movie Car Database, her car is a 1916 Overland. Since this story is set in 1927-1928, it means she is driving a car that is 10 years old. And the Overland company went out of business in 1926. So I think it was meant to show her status as a struggling performer.

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Luckily, it didn't break down on Sunset and Camden!
I hope Kathy was able to sell it for scrap after Lina got her fired from the Coconut Grove.

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She probably could have picked up a used car like that for about $25.00.

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