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Bordertown (1935)
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Overview
Release Date:
23 January 1935 (USA) morePlot:
Johnny Ramirez rises from bouncer to partner in Charlie Roark's border town casino. Charlie's wife Marie loves Johnny... more | add synopsisPlot Keywords:
moreUser Comments:
South of the border moreCast
(Complete credited cast)| Paul Muni | ... | Johnny Ramirez | |
| Bette Davis | ... | Mrs. Marie Roark | |
| Margaret Lindsay | ... | Dale Elwell | |
| Eugene Pallette | ... | Charles 'Charlie' Roark | |
| Robert Barrat | ... | Padre | |
| Soledad Jiménez | ... | Mrs. Ramirez | |
| Hobart Cavanaugh | ... | Harry, the drunk | |
| Gavin Gordon | ... | Brook Manville | |
| William B. Davidson | ... | Dr. 'Doc' Carter, D.D.S. (as William Davidson) | |
| Arthur Stone | ... | Manuel Diego | |
| Vivian Tobin | ... | Mrs. Garner, Dale's friend |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
90 minCountry:
USAColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
MonoCertification:
USA:Approved (PCA #299)Filming Locations:
Los Angeles, California, USAMOVIEmeter: 
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Nella Walker is on record for the part of Mrs. Elwell, but she did not appear in the film. 'Henry ONeill is on record for the part of Mr. Elwell, but he played the role of Attorney J.L. Chase. A modern source lists Eddie Shubert as Marketman, but he was not seen in the print. moreGoofs:
Crew or equipment visible: Camera shadow on Johnny and Dale when they are dancing at the opening of Johnny's casino. moreSoundtrack:
La Cucaracha moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
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Archie Mayo's "Bordertown" is a film that by today's standards would be deemed politically incorrect. The idea of the poor Mexican immigrant that wants to better himself, only to see people step all over him, is at the center of this tale.
Juan Ramirez, the young lawyer, trying to defend the victim of an accident caused by the young and reckless Dale Elwell, is defeated by a much more experienced Anglo lawyer, who happened to know the system and the judge, obviously. As a result, Juan, decides to leave L.A. to go to a border town, probably Tijuana, where he becomes a partner of Charlie Roark, a decent man who sees the potential in Johnny, as he calls himself now.
What Charlie doesn't know is that he is married to a scheming woman that couldn't care less for him. She has to get rid of her husband in order to get her hands on his money and looks to Johnny to help her, but of course, he wants nothing to do with her.
Paul Muni was a great star at Warner Bros. at the time of this film. We were never fans of Mr. Muni, who in this film gives a clichéd account of the Hispanic Juan in a performance that goes over the top and doesn't convince anyone. On the other hand, Bette Davis, as Marie Roark, is her usual excellent self in a more nuanced performance. We see why later on, Ms. Davis will use all what she shows in this film and more to be the great star that she was. In minor roles, the formidable Eugene Palette plays Charlie Roark and Margaret Lindsay is seen as Dale Elwell, the rich girl that provoked the accident.
This film is a rarity seldom seen these days.