THE GORGEOUS HUSSY (1936)

Everyone in-front & behind the camera/above & below the line is at their worst in this inert period historical, stiffer than the Petticoat that gave name to this Andrew Jackson political scandal.*  Joan Crawford, never at ease in period pieces (or in flouncy clothes), is Peggy O’Neal Eaton, serial inamorata to Virginia Senator Melvyn Douglas, Navy hunk Robert Taylor, Man-about-town James Stewart, Cabinet Secretary Franchot Tone; as well as enjoying the personal protection of President Lionel Barrymore . . . er, Andrew Jackson.  More sinned against than sinning (in this telling), her choice of romantic chaperones always blowing up in her face.  In some ways, it’s Crawford’s PARNELL/’37, the Clark Gable mega-flop historical.  Only this one somehow made money.  All those stars*; and just as many in support.  A pity, too, as whenever we leave the romance and head to the Capital, you can faintly make out the proto-Civil War story wasted here.

SCREWY THOUGHT OF THE DAY:  *And that includes producer Joseph L. Mankiewicz, hotly being wooed to take over from mortally ill production head Irving G. Thalberg, and ex-wooer of Crawford whose recent marriage to co-star Tone was already on the rocks.

ATTENTION MUST BE PAID/LINK:  *Taylor suddenly a major star after a loan-out to Universal for MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION/’35.  Above-the-title second billing (and extra curly hair!) in spite of getting killed off at the end of act one, a mere 41" into the film.  Even Janet Leigh lasts longer than that before her much discussed early demise in PSYCHO/’60.    https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2009/08/magnificent-obsession-1935.html

WATCH THIS, NOT THAT/LINK:  Underrated contract director Clarence Brown lives down to his mediocre rep on this one.  At least the film earned out; more than can be said for his next, CONQUEST/’37, a real money pit for Garbo & Charles Boyer.  Yet, these two disappointments followed by one of his best (and least known) films, OF HUMAN HEARTS/’38.    https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2019/07/conquest-1937.html  https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2020/01/of-human-hearts-1938.html