Ann Vickers (1933)Social worker/prison reformer looks for love with men who abuse her, finds herself attracted to a controversial judge. Director:John Cromwell |
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Ann Vickers (1933)Social worker/prison reformer looks for love with men who abuse her, finds herself attracted to a controversial judge. Director:John Cromwell |
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| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Irene Dunne | ... |
Ann Vickers
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| Walter Huston | ... |
Barney Dolphin
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Conrad Nagel | ... |
Lindsay Atwell
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| Bruce Cabot | ... |
Captain Lafe Resnick
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Edna May Oliver | ... |
Malvina Wormser
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Sam Hardy | ... |
Russell Spaulding
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Mitchell Lewis | ... |
Captain Waldo
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Murray Kinnell | ... |
Dr. Slenk - Copper Gap Warden
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Helen Eby-Rock | ... |
Kitty Cognac
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Gertrude Michael | ... |
Mona Dolphin
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J. Carrol Naish | ... |
Dr. Sorelle
(as J. Carroll Naish)
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Sarah Padden | ... |
Lil, a Black Woman
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Reginald Barlow | ... |
Chaplain
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Rafaela Ottiano | ... |
Mrs. Feldermans
(as Rafaella Ottiano)
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As the Great War breaks out, Ann Vickers, a serious, independent and forthright woman, falls for an officer who jilts her before she can tell him she's pregnant. After an abortion, she throws herself into social work, stirring things up at a woman's prison and writing a best-seller about the experience. Back in Manhattan, she runs a halfway house for paroled women and meets an equally free-thinking jurist, Barney Dolphin, who's estranged from his wife (she doesn't believe in divorce) and under investigation for corruption. Ann and he begin an affair and have a child just as he's indicted. Scandal ruins her career. Can they flaunt convention and find happiness? Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
This is what a woman's film ought to be in this era, not just 70 years ago. The Ann Vickers character is a strong woman devoted to her career and to those who depend on her at the women's prison. She is not without her flaws as any hero or protagonist, but she overcomes so many obstacles and definitely has control over her life. What has happened to strong and complex female roles in modern motion pictures? This movie is well acted, well-written and has a tremendous message. I recommend it to anyone who can get their hands on it, as I believe it is still not available on video. It ranks up there with Norma Shearer's character Jerry in "The Divorcee" as far as a well-developed complex strong female characters. We need more movies depicting our gender this way not just as sex objects but as sexual subjects, with career goals and sex drives. Watch this movie!