Movie Cosmos - Madame X

Description:

A young, unfaithful wife and mother is thrown out by her cold, unforgiving husband, the Attorney General of France. She is barred from ever seeing her three year old son again despite her earnest attempts to make amends. For many years the mother seeks refuge overseas and in Absinthe. In the end, her son, a young and promising lawyer unknowingly defends her in court. Ruth Chatterton gives a marvelous performance in this early talkie in her portrayal of Madame X.

Top Cast >

Ruth Chatterton

As Jacqueline Floriot

Lewis Stone

As Louis Floriot

Raymond Hackett

As Raymond Floriot

Sidney Toler

As Dr. Merivel

Carroll Nye

As Darrell, a Naval Officer

Eugenie Besserer

As Rose, Floriot's Servant

Chappell Dossett

As Judge

Claude King

As Valmorin, the Prosecutor

Richard Carle

As Perissard

John P. Edington

As Doctor

Mitchell Lewis

As Colonel Hanby

Holmes Herbert

As Noel

Henry Armetta

As Hotel Owner (uncredited)

Agostino Borgato

As Hotel Porter (uncredited)

Jack Chefe

As Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)

Ronnie Cosby

As Boy at Puppet Show (uncredited)

Carrie Daumery

As Dining Room Guest (uncredited)

Derry Dee

As Boy at Puppet Show (uncredited)

Edith Fellows

As Child at Puppet Show (uncredited)

Frankie Genardi

As Boy at Puppet Show (uncredited)

Mary Gordon

As Nursemaid (uncredited)

Sydney Jarvis

As Gendarme at Trial (uncredited)

Sôjin Kamiyama

As Oriental Doctor (uncredited)

Dickie Moore

As Boy at Puppet Show (uncredited)

Douglas Scott

As Raymond - as a Small Boy (uncredited)

Philip Sleeman

As Sidewalk Cafe Waiter (uncredited)

Ullrich Haupt

As Laroque

Top Crew >

Lionel Barrymore

Director

Alexandre Bisson

Theatre Play

Willard Mack

Dialogue

Cedric Gibbons

Art Direction

William S. Gray

Editor

Arthur Reed

Director of Photography

David Cox

Wardrobe Designer

Reviews:

Frank F (8/10)

A fantastic story and excellent performance, given that this is an early (1929) talkie. Yes, the film suffers from the technical limitations of the time (audio, fixed lenses and single camera shots) as well as an acting style which is in the transition from silent to talkie, but these are fairly easy to overlook. Actually the sound is quite good. Many films suffered from clomping on every footstep, this one does not.

2018-04-05