Midnight Mary (1933)

An abused orphan sinks into a life of crime.

Director:

William A. Wellman (as William Wellman)

Writers:

Anita Loos (original story), Gene Markey (screen play)

Stars:

Loretta Young, Franchot Tone, Ricardo Cortez

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Loretta Young	...	Mary Martin
Ricardo Cortez	...	Leo Darcy
Franchot Tone	...	Tom Mannering Jr.
Andy Devine	...	Sam Travers
Una Merkel	...	Bunny
Frank Conroy	...	District Attorney
Warren Hymer	...	Angelo
Ivan F. Simpson	...	Tindle (as Ivan Simpson)
Harold Huber	...	Puggy
Sandy Roth	...	Blimp
Martha Sleeper	...	Barbara Mannering
Charley Grapewin	...	Clerk (as Charles Grapewin)
Halliwell Hobbes	...	Churchill
Robert Emmett O'Connor	...	Charlie - the Cop

Storyline

A young woman is on trial for murder. In flashback, we learn of her struggles to overcome poverty as a teenager -- a mistaken arrest and prison term for shoplifting and lack of employment lead to involvement with gangsters. In a brothel, she meets a young lawyer, scion of a wealthy and prestigious family, who falls for her and helps her turn around her life. But her past catches up with her, and she must face the music rather than cause him scandal.

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Plot Keywords:

murder | unemployment | self sacrifice | rehabilitation | reform school | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 June 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lady of the Night

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:

74 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally conceived as a vehicle for Jean Harlow.

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Goofs

In the opening courtroom scene, the Cosmopolitan magazine edition that Mary is reading differs between the long and close-up shots. The edition she reads in long shots is the February, 1933 edition and in close-up shots, she reads the May, 1933 edition.

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Quotes

Mary Martin: Sometimes I think if I don't get away from you, I'll go out of my mind.
Leo Darcy: You'll never get away from me. You belong to me, remember?
Mary Martin: I've never belonged to you.

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Connections

Featured in Complicated Women (2003)

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Soundtracks

Jingle Bells
(1857) (uncredited)
Written by James Pierpont
In the score at Christmas

User Reviews

Awesome, jaw-dropping pre-code

Midnight Mary is essential viewing for the pre-code fanatic. I am not a big fan of Loretta Young and her bug eyes, but she was superb in this, as a good girl who suffers some rotten luck along the way to becoming a gangster's doll and prized possession. Ricardo Cortez was incredibly sexy and smooth as the jealous gangster; what a fascinating performance. Franchot Tone was his usual handsome, sophisticated self, but the weakest link in the film. His energy level can't compete with Ricardo's. From the opening courtroom scenes, with Loretta reading a Hearst Cosmopolitan magazine (with only her bug eyes showing), to the inevitable ending, this film will keep any pre-code viewer on the edge of their seat. 9 out of 10.