The President's Lady (1953)

The story of president Andrew Jackson from his early years, through his meeting with and subsequent marriage to Rachel Donelson Robards. The plot concentrates on the later scandal ... See full summary »

Director:

Henry Levin

Writers:

John Patrick, Irving Stone (novel)

Stars:

Susan Hayward, Charlton Heston, John McIntire

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Susan Hayward	...	Rachel Donaldson
Charlton Heston	...	President Andrew Jackson
John McIntire	...	John Overton
Fay Bainter	...	Mrs. Donaldson
Whitfield Connor	...	Lewis Robards
Carl Betz	...	Charles Dickinson
Gladys Hurlbut	...	Mrs. Phariss
Ruth Attaway	...	Moll
Charles Dingle	...	Capt. Irwin
Nina Varela	...	Mrs. 'Peachblossom' Stark
Margaret Wycherly	...	Mrs. Robards
Ralph Dumke	...	Col. Stark

Storyline

The story of president Andrew Jackson from his early years, through his meeting with and subsequent marriage to Rachel Donelson Robards. The plot concentrates on the later scandal concerning the legality of their marriage and how they overcame the difficulties.

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Plot Keywords:

andrew jackson | historical event | husband wife relationship | u.s. president | love | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 May 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Dama Marcada

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Charlton Heston played Andrew Jackson a second time in The Buccaneer.

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Goofs

Rachel talks about Andrew building her a home "with six columns" and we see the house, named The Hermitage. The house had three main iterations. The first was a simple New England style two-story wood frame home. That was later remodeled with the addition of wings and a wide veranda. The iconic image we have today (and how it still looks) was the third remodeling - but it was done after Rachel's death. Rachel may have involved in the plans for the renovations, but she didn't live to see the finished product.

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Quotes

Rachel Donaldson Robards Jackson: [to Andrew who is planning to dual with Charles Dickinson the following morning] Andrew, if I'm to be the cause of all your quarrels for the rest of your life, then you give me no choice. I must leave you! I will not let you be killed because of me, nor will I let you take another man's life. I must leave!
President Andrew Jackson: You'd leave me now??
Rachel Donaldson Robards Jackson: No! No! Oh Andrew, please, please don't do this! If Mr. Dickinson's bullet kills you, it kills me too! Let him say what he will about me!
President Andrew Jackson: No man can say what he will about...

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Connections

Referenced in Bowling for Columbine (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Possum Up a Gum Stump"
(uncredited)
Words and Music by Urban Thielmann

User Reviews

Basically Factual

This movie is basically factual. It gives an excellent portrayal of two complex historical characters. Heston is excellent as a strong Andrew Jackson and Hayward gives strength with a touch of humanity to Rachel Donelson Robards Jackson. You can get a feel for the ruggedness of a young Tennessee with Jackson as a person who will ascend to historical significance. It is the style of movies that you do not see anymore.

One reviewer questioned whether Rachel died before Jackson became President. Yes she died before he was sworn in as President. Many feel her health deteriorated rapidly as she faced the negative comments made about her during the election of 1828. She was ostracized because of her divorce from Robards. This mistreatment was cause for several hotheaded reactions from Andrew Jackson. This is hard for our current culture to understand since by all accounts it was likely an abusive marriage.

I know there is much disagreement regarding colorization of older movies but I would really like a colorized version of this excellent historical biography. It is a classic of this style of film.