A Woman's Face (1941)

A female blackmailer with a disfiguring facial scar meets a plastic surgeon who offers her the possibility of looking like a normal woman.

Director:

George Cukor

Writers:

Francis de Croisset (play), Donald Ogden Stewart,

Stars:

Joan Crawford, Melvyn Douglas, Conrad Veidt

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joan Crawford	...	Anna Holm
Melvyn Douglas	...	Dr. Gustaf Segert
Conrad Veidt	...	Torsten Barring
Osa Massen	...	Vera Segert
Reginald Owen	...	Bernard Dalvik
Albert Bassermann	...	Consul Magnus Barring
Marjorie Main	...	Emma Kristiansdotter
Donald Meek	...	Herman Rundvik
Connie Gilchrist	...	Christina Dalvik
Richard Nichols	...	Lars-Erik Barring
Charles Quigley	...	Eric
Gwili Andre	...	Gusta
Clifford Brooke	...	Wickman
George Zucco	...	Defense Attorney
Henry Kolker	...	Judge

Storyline

Anna Holm is a blackmailer, who because of a facial scar, despises everyone she encounters. When a plastic surgeon performs an operation to correct this disfigurement, Anna becomes torn between the hope of starting a new life, and a return to her dark past.

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Plot Keywords:

blackmailer | scar | facial scar | blackmail | disfigurement | 

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Taglines:

FASCINATING! COMPELLING! (original poster - all caps)

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Genres:

Thriller | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 May 1941 (USA)

Also Known As:

Erpressung

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on April 19, 1942 with Conrad Veidt reprising his film role.

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Goofs

When Anna first discusses the potential murder of the child, she alternately has her arms crossed in front of her chest, and outstretched holding a cigarette.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Police Matron: That's a fine trick. You know the prisoner's afraid of fire.

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Connections

Featured in Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Movie Star (2002)

User Reviews

George Cukor at his best

"A Woman's Face" is a film that shows George Cukor, one of the best film directors of all times, at the top of his profession. In fact, this film precedes probably his "Gaslight", which might be one of his best movies he directed. The screen play is by another man who had a knack for adapting theater material for the screen, Donald Ogden Stewart. The combination of both these men give the viewer a film with a rich texture.

This film belongs to Joan Crawford, who carries it with style and panache. This role ranks as one of the most complex Ms. Crawford ever played in the movies. Her characterization was molded by Mr. Cukor who clearly understood how to get a good performance from his star. In fact, Ana Holm, is one of the best things Ms. Crawford portrayed in the movies and she is seen without the excessive makeup.

Conrad Veidt is also one of the assets of the film. He is perfect for his part and holds his own playing against Joan Crawford. Melvyn Douglas, on the other hand, doesn't fare as well, perhaps because of the way his character is written. There are also wonderful performances by Richard Nicholas who is seen as the young boy Lars-Erik. Marjorie Main. Osa Masser, and Reginald Owen are seen in supporting roles.

The film is a must see for all Joan Crawford and George Cukor fans.