The Gorgeous Hussy (1936)

President Andrew Jackson's friendship with an innkeeper's daughter spells trouble for them both.

Director:

Clarence Brown

Writers:

Ainsworth Morgan (screen play), Stephen Morehouse Avery (screen play)

Stars:

Joan Crawford, Robert Taylor, Lionel Barrymore

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joan Crawford	...	Peggy Eaton
Robert Taylor	...	'Bow' Timberlake
Lionel Barrymore	...	Andrew Jackson
Franchot Tone	...	John Eaton
Melvyn Douglas	...	John Randolph
James Stewart	...	'Rowdy' Dow
Alison Skipworth	...	Mrs. Beall
Beulah Bondi	...	Rachel Jackson
Louis Calhern	...	Sunderland
Melville Cooper	...	Cuthbert
Sidney Toler	...	Daniel Webster
Gene Lockhart	...	Maj. William O'Neal
Clara Blandick	...	Louisa Abbott
Frank Conroy	...	John C. Calhoun
Nydia Westman	...	Maybelle

Storyline

It's the early nineteenth century Washington. Young adult Margaret O'Neal - Peggy to most that know her - is the daughter of Major William O'Neal, who is the innkeeper of the establishment where most out-of-town politicians and military men stay when they're in Washington. Peggy is pretty and politically aware. She is courted by several of those politicians and military men who all want to marry her, except for the one with who she is truly in love. Because of her personal situation at the time, she, in 1828, becomes the unofficial first lady to help her old friend - "old" both in terms of age and length of time - Andrew Jackson, who has just been elected President of the United States. Jackson and Peggy have the same political outlook, where the union of the states is paramount, especially when many states see their rights as being more important than the union. Jackson had a rough ride during the election in large part because his wife, Rachel Jackson, was seen as a pipe smoking ...

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Plot Keywords:

1820s | andrew jackson | washington d.c. | u.s. president | unrequited love | 

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Joan Crawfordf (I)'s only period film of the sound era. It was also her biggest budgeted film up to that point, at $1,119,000.

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Quotes

Daniel Webster: Well Miss Peggy, have you shaped any new political doctrines today?
Peggy Eaton: Ah Mr. Webster, I'm just an impressionable young woman.

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Connections

Featured in Great Performances: James Stewart: A Wonderful Life (1987)

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Soundtracks

Listen to the Mockingbird
(1855) (uncredited)
Music by Richard Milburn
Played by James Stewart on his fife

User Reviews

Joan Crawford and Old Hickory

When girlish innkeeper's daughter Joan Crawford (as Margaret "Peggy" O'Neal) develops into a beautiful young woman, many men in 1823 Washington, DC desire her. Ms. Crawford finds sailor Robert Taylor (as "Bow" Timberlake) attractive, but Crawford is saving herself for Virginia Senator Melvyn Douglas (as John Randolph). Meanwhile, boyish Jimmy Stewart (as "Rowdy" Dow) pastes fake sideburns on his cheeks, and pines for Crawford. She brushes off Mr. Stewart, and gets kissed by Mr. Taylor. Though she still loves Mr. Douglas, Crawford marries Taylor after a fight with Douglas, who thinks Crawford is too young for marriage.

Shortly after the wedding, Lieutenant Taylor is called away for three months, to the West Indies.

Crawford waits in Washington with an older couple who consider her a companion and ward, politically savvy Lionel Barrymore (as Andrew "Andy" Jackson) and his pipe-smoking wife Beulah Bondi (as Rachel). After five years, Mr. Barrymore becomes the seventh President of the United States. Though a woman, Crawford is a political adviser of sorts, which encumbers gossip. Crawford's real-life husband, Franchot Tone (as John H. Eaton), also enters the picture. With strong direction by Clarence Brown and photography by George Folsey, MGM production values manage to sustain the years. Otherwise, this historical fiction succeeds as neither.

***** The Gorgeous Hussy (8/28/36) Clarence Brown ~ Joan Crawford, Lionel Barrymore, Melvyn Douglas, Robert Taylor

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 August 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Gorgeous Hussy

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$1,119,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1