Madame X ** (1965, Lana Turner, John Forsythe, Ricardo Montalban, Constance Bennett, Burgess Meredith, Keir Dullea) – Classic Movie Review 6817

Lana Turner stars in the seventh film version of the old theatrical chestnut based on the ancient Alexandre Bisson play about Holly Parker, a wealthy woman on trial for murder who is defended by an attorney who does not know that he is her son.

Ross Hunter’s big-budget production is elaborate and glossy, and there is a fine cast, but there is no disguising the creakiness of the plot and the outdated psychology.

Constance Bennett (1904–1965) is very good here in her last film as Estelle. She died of a cerebral haemorrhage before it was released. Also in the cast are John Forsythe as Clay Anderson, Ricardo Montalban, Burgess Meredith, Keir Dullea, Virginia Grey, Warren Stevens, John Van Dreelen, Carl Benton Reid (in his final film), Teddy Quinn (as Clay Anderson Jr as a boy), Kaaren Verne, Joe De Santis, Frank Marth and Bing Russell.

Madame X is directed by David Lowell Rich, runs 100 minutes, is made by Ross Hunter Productions, is released by Universal Pictures, is written by Jean Holloway, based on the play by Alexandre Bisson, is shot in Technicolor by Russell Metty, is produced by Ross Hunter and is scored by Frank Skinner, with Art Direction by Alexander Golitzen and George C Webb.

The exteriors of the Anderson mansion were filmed at 10236 Charing Cross Road, Los Angeles, which became famous six years later as the Playboy Mansion.

It was remade as a TVM with Tuesday Weld in 1981.

Alexandre Bisson’s play opened in Paris on 15 December 1908. An English language version by John Raphael opened in New York City on 2 January 1910 and ran for 125 performances.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6817

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