Madame X (1966)

A woman married to a wealthy socialite, is compromised by the accidental death of a man who had been romantically pursuing her, and is forced by her mother-in-law to assume a new identity ... See full summary »

Director:

David Lowell Rich

Writers:

Jean Holloway (screenplay), Alexandre Bisson (play)

Stars:

Lana Turner, John Forsythe, Ricardo Montalban

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lana Turner	...	Holly Parker
John Forsythe	...	Clay Anderson
Ricardo Montalban	...	Phil Benton
Burgess Meredith	...	Dan Sullivan
John Van Dreelen	...	Christian Torben
Virginia Grey	...	Mimsy
Warren Stevens	...	Michael Spalding
Carl Benton Reid	...	The Judge
Teddy Quinn	...	Clay Anderson Jr. as a Boy
Frank Maxwell	...	Dr. Evans
Kaaren Verne	...	Nurse Riborg (as Karen Verne)
Joe De Santis	...	Carter (as Joe DeSantis)
Frank Marth	...	Det. Combs
Bing Russell	...	Police Sgt. Riley
Teno Pollick	...	Manuel Lopez

Storyline

A woman married to a wealthy socialite, is compromised by the accidental death of a man who had been romantically pursuing her, and is forced by her mother-in-law to assume a new identity to save the reputation of her husband and infant son. She wanders the world, trying to forget her heartbreak with the aid of alcohol and unsavory men, eventually returning to the city of her downfall, where she murders a blackmailer who threatens to expose her past. Amazingly, she is represented at her murder trial by her now adult son, who is a public defender. Hoping to continue to protect her son, she refuses to give her real name and is known to the court as the defendant, "Madame X."

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Plot Keywords:

murder | socialite | mother in law | accidental death | trial | 

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Taglines:

There was always a man... there was never a name!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish German

Release Date:

3 March 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

Haha no tabiji

Filming Locations:

Playboy Mansion - 10236 Charing Cross Road, Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Ross Hunter Productions, Eltee

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was Constance Bennett's last film. She died before it was released.

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Goofs

Although Holly marries into the wealthy Anderson family, the initial on the gates of the estate where they live is G not A (film was shot on location at Greystoke Manor in Los Angeles).

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Quotes

Clayton 'Clay' Anderson: [to his mother while decorating Christmas tree] Mother, there aren't enough icicles on your side.

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Connections

Version of Madame X (1937)

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Soundtracks

"Swedish Rhapsody"
by Willy Mattes (as Charles Wildman)

User Reviews

Lana Turner gives the performance of her career

This tear-jerking melodrama gives Lana Turner her last great role(before her late'60s,early'70s hokum)and it is surely her greatest performance. Who knew she had it in her? Turner plays the doomed Holly, a shop girl from San Francisco who marries into a rich,political family on the East Coast. Her demented mother-in-law(Constance Bennett in her last role)hates Holly and eventually forces her to fake her own death and take on a new identity. Holly gets a makeover in Europe and falls into alcohol and drugs in Mexico, before the final shocking plot twist. Lush, dramatic, and moving, "Madame X" is a classy production all the way, and a total Lana showcase.