Best things about this early William Wellman film (one of EIGHT he made in 1932-33!) are its pre code sexual frankness (it's eminently clear that the title character runs a bordello and not, say, a "saloon") and Ruth Chatterton's performance. This skilled, somewhat under rated actress manages to get inside the personality of an unhappy woman exploited by men (although definitely not controlled by them) without resorting to undue displays of melodrama or gush a la Rainer or Shearer, to take just two of her over hyped contemporaries.
The screenplay, however, lurches between ludicrous and silly with story holes as big as those caused by the SF quake (which is given one of its better cinematic renditions in this film). The last time I checked murderesses do not follow their victims to a courthouse and shoot them so that they collapse into the arms of the DA when they just as easily could have despatched them at their home, in private. And the victim's dying just before he can utter the word "mother" is about as risible a moment as you're going to get in a film that asks to be taken seriously. Also hurting the movie is a terrible acting job from the guy who plays the illegitimate son slash prosecutor. Guy's stiff, crappy, acting pretty much sinks the trial scene, to mention nothing of the death row mother/son meeting scene.
Bottom line: Some great imagery (like the last scene with the servant burning all evidence of Jenny's kid) and worth a look for Chatterton lovers or for those like me who have only seen her in "Dodsworth" and a couple others and now want to see more. C plus.
The screenplay, however, lurches between ludicrous and silly with story holes as big as those caused by the SF quake (which is given one of its better cinematic renditions in this film). The last time I checked murderesses do not follow their victims to a courthouse and shoot them so that they collapse into the arms of the DA when they just as easily could have despatched them at their home, in private. And the victim's dying just before he can utter the word "mother" is about as risible a moment as you're going to get in a film that asks to be taken seriously. Also hurting the movie is a terrible acting job from the guy who plays the illegitimate son slash prosecutor. Guy's stiff, crappy, acting pretty much sinks the trial scene, to mention nothing of the death row mother/son meeting scene.
Bottom line: Some great imagery (like the last scene with the servant burning all evidence of Jenny's kid) and worth a look for Chatterton lovers or for those like me who have only seen her in "Dodsworth" and a couple others and now want to see more. C plus.