Woman Wanted (1935)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

George B. Seitz

Writers:

Wilson Collison (story)
Leonard Fields (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

2 August 1935 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot:

Ann Grey is wrongly convicted of murder. On her way to jail a car accident gives her the opportunity to escape...

Plot Keywords:

Police | Murder | Escape | Lawyer | Butler

Cast

Maureen O'Sullivan	...	Ann Gray
Joel McCrea	...	Anthony 'Tony' Baxter
Lewis Stone	...	District Attorney Martin
Louis Calhern	...	Smiley Gordon
Edgar Kennedy	...	House Detective Sweeney
Adrienne Ames	...	Betty Randolph
Robert Greig	...	Peedles, Tony's Butler (as Robert Grieg)
Noel Madison	...	Joe Metz, Smiley's Henchman
Granville Bates	...	Casey (scenes deleted)
William B. Davidson	...	Detective Collins
Richard Powell	...	Lee, Smiley's Henchman
Erville Alderson	...	Constable
Gertrude Short	...	Gertie, Hotel Switchboard

Runtime:

67 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #1076)

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Quotes:

Anthony 'Tony' Baxter: Peedles! Champagne cocktails - no two ways about it.
Peedles, Tony's Butler: Yes, sir.
Anthony 'Tony' Baxter: [to Ann] You know, two of Peedles' cocktails make you feel like, uh... like, uh...
Peedles, Tony's Butler: Like the moon in the morning mist, sir.
Anthony 'Tony' Baxter: That's it!
Peedles, Tony's Butler: Thank you, sir.

Soundtrack:

Anchors Aweigh

A charming and highly satisfying Maureen O'Sullivan film...

M-G-M supporting player Maureen O'Sullivan receives a rare starring role (next to HIDE-OUT, co-starring with Robert Montgomery, also in 1935) in this delightful comedy-thriller intended as a studio B-picture. She plays a young lady who is wrongly accused of murder and is on the run by both gangsters (the real bad guys) and the cops. Her fellow co-star, Joel McCrea (FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT (1940)), plays a District Attorney who tags along with her on the way.

And what a journey! Here we have car chases, boat chases, and plenty of exciting and suspenseful set-pieces throughout the brief 67-minute running time, along with a brisk pace, excellent cinematography, and atmospheric lighting to match. And there's still plenty of time for amusing set-pieces and a charming romance between O'Sullivan and McCrea--and what beautiful chemistry they have together in the film. The film is reminiscent of both Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS (1935) and Capra's IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934), so it's a great example of 1930s fare. And it's also fun to see dignified character actors like Louis Calhern and Lewis Stone in the film, too.

However, there are some plot holes throughout in order to make sure that everything turns out right in the end--but the film's so entertaining that you won't mind them.

Fellow Maureen O'Sullivan fans will no doubt be pleased by her role of "Ann Gray"--Maureen receives a rare non-TARZAN starring role here, giving her an ample opportunity to display her flawless acting skills throughout. She gives us a genuine and unforced performance of a lively and personable character, which was, unfortunately, a typecast role for her throughout most of her acting career. Another unfortunate factor of her career was that she usually received her big moments playing Jane alongside Johnny Weissmuller in the enormously popular M-G-M TARZAN films of the era. But here is a rare opportunity to see her in a starring role in her prime at M-G-M. Maureen's lovely Irish looks are also at her prime here, giving us plenty of gorgeous close-up shots of her throughout the film.

My favorite Maureen O'Sullivan film so far, and a highly entertaining gem, too. It's on TCM occasionally, so it's not that hard to find.