Madame X (1966)

When her lover is killed, the wife of a wealthy man is convinced to fake her own death, which leads her into greater depths of depravity until fate reunites her with her long-lost son, who is unaware of her real identity.

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:

trial | accidental death | assumed identity | europe | based on play | 

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Taglines:

BROUGHT TO LIFE WITH ALL ITS SEX AND DRAMA!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The world premiere was held in Miami, Florida on Thursday evening, March 3, 1966.

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Goofs

Although the movie covers a 25-30 year span ending in the mid-Sixties, all of the women are dressed and coiffed in the height of mid-sixties fashions in scenes set in the late thirties/early forties.

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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 The Trial of Madame X (1948)

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Soundtracks

Swedish Rhapsody
by Willy Mattes (as Charles Wildman)

User Reviews

Lana Turner Deserved a Nomination

Lana Turner, party gal supreme, was a fine actress whose personal life detracted from her fine on-camera work. "The Bad and The Beautiful" "Peyton Place" "Imitation Of Life" and this film "Madame X" are all examples of fine acting. Lana Turner after the Stopanato Murder was given a new lease on her career by Ross Hunter at Universal, and the result was "Imitation of Life" a huge success for Universal and Turner who had an ownership percentage in that hit. Hunter and Turner and Universal reprised in "Portrait In Black" and hit another great home run with a remake of "Madame X" also at Universal. Simply put Lana Turner is outstanding in this film and the last 30 minutes of Madame X has Lana Turner performing as only the best actresses could. Lana Turner should have been nominated, but I gather her party ways, the hangover of the Stompanto murder, etc..left a sour taste with some Academy voters. Fine support by Keir Dullea and terrific seeing Constance Bennett in the role of Lana's wicked Mother In Law. Ms Bennett died soon after filming.

This is a fine Film with Lana Turner robbed of a Nomination.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish German

Release Date:

6 June 1966 (UK)

Also Known As:

Madame X

Filming Locations:

Greystone Park & Mansion - 905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ross Hunter Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1