IMDb > Bordertown (1935)

Bordertown (1935) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.9/10   506 votes
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Down 18% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

Archie Mayo

Writers:

Carroll Graham (suggested by book "Border Town")
Robert Lord (story)
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Contact:

View company contact information for Bordertown on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

23 January 1935 (USA) more

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir more

Plot:

Johnny Ramirez rises from bouncer to partner in Charlie Roark's border town casino. Charlie's wife Marie loves Johnny... more | add synopsis

User Comments:

To Hollywood, furriners is furriners more (15 total)


Cast

  (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
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Additional Details

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #299)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA


Fun Stuff

Trivia:

Nella Walker is on record for the part of Mrs. Elwell, but she did not appear in the film. 'Henry O'Neill' 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. more

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Camera shadow on Johnny and Dale when they are dancing at the opening of Johnny's casino. more

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Stardust: The Bette Davis Story (2006) (TV) more

Soundtrack:

(You May Not Be an Angel, but) I'll String Along with You more


FAQ

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3 out of 5 people found the following comment useful.
To Hollywood, furriners is furriners, 9 May 2009
8/10

Paul Muni was an East European Jew, so naturally he was cast as a Hispanic Californian.

Well, heck, to name just one, Leo Carrillo, a native Hispanic Californian, was cast as everything from Greek to French to Italian to Latino, and so many other "ethnic" actors played various nationalities besides their own heritages.

Muni apparently wore dark makeup for this role, but it wasn't a stereotype; it was, in fact, a very sympathetic character.

Bette Davis never looked lovelier. For years, I have tried to spread my conspiracy theory that she was not made up, but made down, that she was, in fact, a very lovely lady and the Westmore family apparently had it in for her and put the make up on in such a way that her looks were coarsened, and she was aged long before her time.

She was such a great actress that her looks didn't matter, but she was very attractive and I find it a shame she wasn't allowed to show her natural beauty.

The female, though, who stole this movie, both in looks and in animated characterization, was Margaret Lindsay. She was absolutely fascinating in this role as spoiled rich girl, an almost good guy. In fact, she made this movie worth seeing.

The presence of a genuine Hispanic, Soledad Jiménez, gives one pause to wonder why more genuine Hispanics weren't cast in movies like this. She was just great.

The ending was rather puzzling, perhaps a sop to somebody's nativism, but the story was a good one, the acting was generally great, and all of that, with Archie Mayo's directing, make this one worthwhile.

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Bordertown---the garage! tejonm
Do you all know....... jenleaparks
Plot sounds familiar pdale-1
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