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

Writers:

Sinclair Lewis (novel), Jane Murfin (screenplay)

Stars:

Irene Dunne, Walter Huston, Conrad Nagel

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Irene Dunne	...	Ann Vickers
Walter Huston	...	Barney Dolphin
Conrad Nagel	...	Lindsay Atwell
Bruce Cabot	...	Captain Lafe Resnick
Edna May Oliver	...	Malvina Wormser
Sam Hardy	...	Russell Spaulding
Mitchell Lewis	...	Captain Waldo
Murray Kinnell	...	Dr. Slenk - Copper Gap Warden
Helen Eby-Rock	...	Kitty Cognac
Gertrude Michael	...	Mona Dolphin
J. Carrol Naish	...	Dr. Sorelle (as J. Carroll Naish)
Sarah Padden	...	Lil, a Black Woman
Reginald Barlow	...	Chaplain
Rafaela Ottiano	...	Mrs. Feldermans (as Rafaella Ottiano)

Storyline

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?

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Plot Keywords:

abortion | reformer | judge | prison | divorce | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 October 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ana Vickers

Box Office

Budget:

$303,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

76 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Kelly as Dr. Alstein and Mona Dolphin are in studio records/casting call lists for this movie. Kelly was not seen in the print, and since Mona Dolphin was the character name of Barney's wife, it is likely that no such actress existed. Ferdinand Gottschalk is listed for the role of Dr. Slenk, but that role was played by Murray Kinnell. Kitty Kelly and Robert Benchley were mentioned as cast members in a news item, but they did not appear in the movie.

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Goofs

Although the first part of the picture takes place in 1918, all of Irene Dunne's hairstyles and clothes are strictly in the 1933 mode.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Mischa Feldermans: Who are you?
Barney Dolphin: Well, son, i refuse to answer without advice of counsel.

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits are printed in the pages of a book, and are revealed by a hand opening the book and turning the pages.

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Connections

References Joan the Woman (1916)

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Soundtracks

"Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag and Smile, Smile, Smile!"
(1915)
Music by Felix Powell
Lyrics by George Asaf
Sung by off-screen soldiers at the Lorlears Hook Settlement House

User Reviews

A Wonderful Women's Film

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!