GORGEOUS HUSSY
US, 1936, 103 minutes, Black and white.
Joan Crawford, Robert Taylor, Lionel Barrymore, Franchot Tone, Melvyn Douglas, James Stewart, Beulah Bondi, Louis Calhern.
Directed by Clarence Brown.
Gorgeous Hussy is a blend of fact and fiction, focussing on Peggy O' Neal, niece of President Andrew Jackson. The film is a star vehicle for Joan Crawford - and she appears very glamorous, somewhat gentle. She has a fine range of leading men including Robert Taylor, Melvin Douglas, Franchot Tone, James Stewart. Lionel Barrymore is a rugged President Andrew Jackson (a role he was to reprise in a cameo appearance in the 1952 western Lone Star). (Charlton Heston portrayed Jackson in both The President's Lady and The Buccaneer.) Beulah Bondi received an Oscar nomination for her role as Rachel Jackson.
The film highlights life in Washington in the first part of thee nineteenth century, as well as the tensions between north and south prior to the civil war. It is all done with M.G.M.'s customary glamour and good taste. Direction is by Clarence Brown, director of many such films at M.G.M. in the 30s and 40s.
1. Historical fact and fiction? The 19th century? Washington? American politics? Romance?
2. Black and White photography, M.G.M. production values, the strong cast, the musical score?
3. The title and Peggy Eaton's life, fact and fiction? The tone of the title? Her public reputation?
4. 1823 Washington, politics, the union? John Randolph and Daniel Webster and their political arguments, friendships? In the Senate, at the Inn? Peggy and her involvement in the arguments?
5. The meeting with Bow Timberlake: Attractive sailor, the effect on her, her father? Her seeking Randolph’s advice? Her love for Randolph? Socialising with Bow? With Rowdy? The proposal, the marriage? The marriage certificate, Bow sailing, the news of his death and its effect on her?
6. Andrew Jackson and his reputation, in Tennessee, in the war with Brittan? The reputation of Rachel Jackson, her marriage, the divorce? Criticisms of their backwoods style, her pipe smoking? The film explaining the background? Arrival in Washington? Social snobbery? The election, Jackson brawling in the street? Rowdy bringing news of the election? Jackson as an administrator? His advice to Peggy, the meeting with cabinet, asking their resignation, his telling the women of their snobbery?
7. Peggy and her relationship with John Randolph, the crush on him, falling in love, his not noticing it, his courtesy towards her and friendship? The passing of the years, the possibility of marriage? In love, the political views and discussions, separation? His assassination, his dying, Peggy
going to him?
8. Peggy and the changing years, her friendship with Rachel and support from her, from the President? Always conscious that she was the Innkeeper's daughter, the snobbery of the women? Her love for Randolph, her attachment to John Eaton? Her friendship with Rowdy? The going to Randolph, the accusations, the President's handling of them? Her marriage to Eaton? Going to Spain?
9. The portrait of Randolph, his Virginian background, his integrity, political views, clashes with Webster and the North? Sunderland and the questions of seceding? The assassination?
10. Rowdy and his friendship, playing the music, running the paper, helping Peggy, taking her to see Randolph?
11. Eaton as a good man, wooing Peggy, the marriage, standing by her in the, crisis, his political role, ambassador to Spain?
12. A glimpse of American history in politics? Interpretation? The American heritage?
